New Moms, Parents, and Women
Being a woman is hard at every phase of life. The modern woman experiences enormous pressure. At the same time, she receives so many mixed messages about what it means to be a woman, partner, parent, and employee. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone, and you deserve to be supported.
Common Difficulties New Moms, Parents, and Women Face
During their lifespan, women experience numerous changes that affect their physical and mental health in profound ways. Developmental changes can be exciting, but they can also be highly stressful and anxiety-provoking.
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Pregnancy is such a tender time in a woman’s life. This experience can be as exciting as it is scary. You may find yourself feeling anxious about all that’s about to change and how your new baby will affect both your identity, intimacy, and relationships.
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Although these struggles are less taboo than they once were, the truth is that many women are grieving tragic losses and don’t know where to turn. In the face of these events, you may feel discouraged, angry, lonely, and devastated all at once.
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The adjustment into motherhood can be rocky, and women may find themselves feeling exhausted, sad, anxious, sleep-deprived, and not feeling like their normal selves. Moms may also struggle to bond with their babies or partners during this time of change in your family.
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Every stage of parenting brings new challenges. Raising children can be rewarding, but the stress of managing a growing family can be difficult to manage. You may second-guess your parenting style, compare your child’s development, or struggle to feel like the mom you really want to be. While parenting, you may find that you and your partner might not be on the same page when it comes to raising your children, whether it’s developing family rules, setting expectations, or being consistent with reinforcement and sticking to consequences as a parent team.
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A woman’s body changes drastically during these times, and the symptoms can be frustrating and tiring. In addition, you might struggle with the reality of aging and what that means for living your best life.
How Therapy Can Help You Grow As a New Mom, Parent, or Woman
Life can sometimes feel incredibly challenging. You want to be a good mother, loving wife or a strong woman (or all of the above), but certain obstacles are preventing you from feeling good about yourself or your life. Here’s how therapy can help you during this time:
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Life may feel chaotic, and it may seem impossible to get everything done. You can’t “do it all,” but therapy can help you achieve a better sense of balance to prioritize what’s most important to you at your particular stage of life.
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There’s truly no such thing as a perfect parent, but you deserve to feel grounded and confident in how you raise your children. Therapy allows you to reflect on areas where you want to improve, and it can also offer space for you to celebrate what’s effective and working well as your children continue to grow.
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Loving others starts with loving yourself. You can also “give more” to the people you care about when you feel good about who you are. If you’re struggling with your self-worth, we can talk about the core issues, and your fears. We can discuss ways to feel more secure with yourself and in relationships with others.
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Many women sacrifice their own needs to take care of others, often putting themselves last, and neglecting self-care. This tends to make you feel resentful and depleted. In therapy, we can talk about making simple, healthy lifestyle changes that promote your physical and emotional well-being.
Therapy for New Moms, Parents, and Women in California
I have been married to a gynecologic oncologist for over 25 years and have been committed to raising awareness and advocating for women’s health as an inaugural Beauty in Grace member with Saddleback Women’s Hospital/MemorialCare. Finally, as a parent myself, I understand the changes in pregnancy, the demands of newborns, the needs of toddlers, the stress of teenagers, and the mixed emotions of launching young adults. Women need a village, and a therapist can be one source of support in that village. Therapy offers safety and guidance during this time in your life.
I see clients in person in Orange County at my office in Newport Beach, and I am available for telehealth services for clients throughout the rest of California.
I welcome you to contact me today to schedule a consultation.