Pregnancy is such a special time in life.
There’s the glowing sense of abundance that somehow outweighs the uncomfortable body changes, the feeling of connection to new life, and the eager anticipation of meeting the baby for the first time. No matter how labor and delivery unfolded, whether with ease and as planned or requiring emergency intervention, the postpartum period is often a different story.
For many new moms, the stress of caring for a newborn coupled with hormonal changes after childbirth, possible history of depression or anxiety, and a general lack of social support can lead to postpartum depression or PPD. As many as 1 in 5 women struggle with this serious mental health condition.
Its symptoms go beyond the typical “baby blues.” Rather than emerging from the first few weeks after delivery and finding a groove with the new baby, instead, women can find themselves feeling sad and hopeless, struggling to find equilibrium.
Postpartum depression manifests with a wide range of troubling symptoms including:
Depression: Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
Anxiety: Feeling anxious, worried, or on edge
Irritability: Feeling easily annoyed or angered
Fatigue: Feeling tired or exhausted all the time
Changes in appetite: Eating more or less than usual
Sleep problems: Having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
As with most aspects of parenting, people in your life will likely offer suggestions to cope with postpartum depression, but often these tips fail to acknowledge the reality of the situation. While a daily stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk or a drive to Clearwater to walk along the beach with a baby might typically offer a respite from daily stress, postpartum depression is not so easily addressed. Again, it goes beyond a temporary adjustment period and is a more serious situation that needs to be treated.
However, there are many hurdles that make it challenging for moms to access traditional in-person therapy in Tampa.
For one, finding a therapist in Tampa, specifically one who specializes in postpartum depression, can be a challenge. An even greater hurdle is finding such specialty practitioners with available capacity for new clients. With Postpartum Support International estimating that rates of postpartum depression are around 15% of the postpartum population, it’s no wonder session availability is so thin. Couple these factors with the difficulty of getting to and from a therapy session and it’s easy to see why online therapy is a better solution, specifically for moms without consistent transportation, reliable childcare, or who live far from available therapists.
Despite these challenges, therapy can be a helpful and often necessary treatment for postpartum depression. And online therapy is a convenient and effective way to get the help you need. This form of maternal mental health treatment is delivered over the Internet and allows moms to connect with a therapist from the comfort of their own home, at a time that is convenient.
It’s especially accommodating for moms who are unable to leave the house during the day.
Convenience: Moms can access therapy from the comfort of their own home, at a time that is convenient which is helpful if you have young children or other responsibilities that make it difficult to get to an in-person appointment.
Confidentiality: Online therapy is confidential, just like in-person therapy meaning conversations with your therapist will remain private.
If you are struggling with postpartum depression, online therapy can be a great way to get the help you need. There are many qualified online therapists who can help you manage symptoms and start feeling like yourself again.
Here are some tips for finding an online therapist in Tampa:
Do your research. There are many different online therapy providers, so it is important to do your research and find one that is a good fit for you. Consider factors such as cost, availability, and the therapist's experience and expertise.
Read reviews. Once you have found a few potential therapists, read reviews from other clients. This can give you a good sense of what to expect from the therapist and their services.
Schedule a free consultation. Most online therapists offer free consultations. This is a great opportunity to meet with the therapist and see if they are a good fit for you. If you don't feel like you connect with your therapist, you can always switch to someone else.
Once you have found the right therapist, you are ready to get started with online therapy for postpartum depression. Your therapist will provide instructions on how to connect with them for your sessions using a secure video chat platform. During sessions, you will discuss your symptoms, goals for therapy, and progress while your therapist provides support and guidance to help you work through your postpartum depression.
The bottom line is to not feel afraid to ask for help. Begin Therapy for Moms in florida
If you are struggling with postpartum depression, you do not need to struggle silently. Ask for help from your partner, doctor, therapist, or find a local mom support group in the Tampa area. There is no shame in seeking help, and online therapy can be the best way to get the support you need to recover. As an online therapist offering services in Florida, Louisiana, Colorado, and Hawaii, I’m happy to offer this support. To get started with Ashley Comegys, please follow these simple steps:
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation via phone or video
Start learning how to cope with life
Other Therapy Services Offered By Ashley Comegys
I know that you may experience concerns with more than one mental health issue. This is why I’m happy to provide various services to support your mental health. Other services offered include grief counseling, online postpartum depression treatment, online postpartum support, and online depression treatment. I’m also happy to offer military spouse therapy and online trauma treatment for women. Visit my blog or about page to learn more today!