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Blooming-With Therapy ~ Leah Azrin LCSW

INN with Horizon BCBS and Aetna NJ
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Perinatal & Maternal Care

Perinatal & Maternal Mental Health

You can love your baby and not be okay at the same time.

There is often pressure to experience pregnancy and new motherhood as a time of happiness and connection. When your experience includes anxiety, sadness, resentment, or emotional distance, that pressure can make an already difficult time feel isolating. You may find yourself wondering why this feels so hard, or worrying about what your feelings mean about you as a mother.

Finding help is an act of love for your baby and yourself.

Understanding perinatal mood and anxiety disorders

Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, often called PMADs, are among the most common complications of pregnancy and the first year after birth. They can begin during pregnancy, emerge postpartum, or reflect a worsening of symptoms you have experienced before. They are recognized, treatable mental health conditions—not personal failings or something you should simply push through.
Postpartum depression is often the most familiar term, but perinatal mental health concerns extend beyond depression. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and trauma-related symptoms also deserve recognition and appropriate care. You deserve help to be able to enjoy this special time of your life.
Together, we can explore what you are experiencing, make sense of what has changed, and develop practical ways to respond to distress. My approach brings together coping skills and deeper reflection, with space to consider your identity, relationships, expectations, and needs so you can thrive as the parent you have always wanted to be.
What We Focus On

Common Perinatal Mental Health Challenges

Perinatal mental health concerns are common, affecting about 20% of new mothers. These are some common conditions I work with. Less common but serious conditions, including postpartum psychosis, also can happen and need immediate medical attention.

Perinatal Depression

Depression during pregnancy or postpartum can feel like sadness. It can also feel like guilt, regret, disconnection or anger.

Perinatal Anxiety

Anxiety can show up as persistent worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, or feeling constantly on alert.

Perinatal OCD

Unwanted, distressing thoughts or images may lead to repeated checking, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance. Some people have thoughts about their baby that scare them even though they know they would never act on them.

Birth-Related PTSD

Following a birth that went wrong, you may experience intrusive memories, nightmares, or difficulty sleeping. It may be hard to connect with your baby and others around you.

OUR THERAPIST

What Therapy Looks Like With Me

Therapy for perinatal and maternal mental health with me is alive, conversational, and forward-moving.
We won’t just sit in silence or rely on clinical jargon. Instead, we’ll work collaboratively to build practical, empowering coping strategies that fit into the chaotic reality of parenting. Healing doesn’t mean being a flawless parent; it means giving yourself permission to feel better and reclaiming your joy.
As Leah Azrin reminds us:
“Sometimes the strongest thing you can say is, ‘I deserve to feel better, and I’m going to get help.’”

Additional Support & Resources

Reliable information and connection can make a difference. These resources offer support during pregnancy and postpartum—you don’t have to be in crisis to reach out.

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Free, confidential support available 24/7 during pregnancy and for mothers of babies. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) to speak with a trained counselor. This is not an emergency services.

Postpartum Support International

Offers a wide variety of free online Support Groups. PSI Support Groups (this should be a link should go to https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/)

Crisis & Emergency Support

In the U.S., call or text 988 for 24/7 mental health crisis support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
These outside resources are provided for general information and additional support, not as a substitute for individualized care. This website and its contact form are not intended for urgent or emergency assistance.