Therapy for Postpartum Depression, low mood, and emotional overwhelm after having a baby
Postpartum depression therapy in NYC and NJ
If you don't feel like yourself after having a baby, and keep wondering why this feels harder than it “should,” you’re not alone.
Sometimes having a baby doesn't feel the way you thought it would.
Postpartum depression (PPD) can affect your mood, energy levels, and sense of identity. What’s often expected to be a joyful time can instead feel heavy, overwhelming, or confusing.
Many women I work with describe feeling emotionally numb, more irritable than they expected, or disconnected. This isn't something you have to push through. Therapy is a place for you to slow down, reconnect with yourself, while everything else in your life is shifting.
ABOUT therapy for PPD
Postpartum depression isn’t just sadness. It often touches identity, pressure, expectations, and how you’ve learned to cope and care for yourself.
Our therapists offer support that’s both insight-oriented and practical. Together, we explore patterns shaping your experience while building tools to help you feel more steady day to day. We integrate relational and psychodynamic therapy with EMDR and somatic approaches so you’re not only understanding what you’re going through, but actually moving through it.
Therapy can help with PPD:
Feel more like yourself again
Reduce feelings of numbness, sadness, or irritability
Increase energy and emotional capacity
Shift self-critical or “I should be handling this better” thoughts
Feel more connected to your baby and enviornment
Navigate identity changes
Build coping strategies that actually work in real life
Make sense of the emotional weight of becoming a Mom
Postpartum depression can feel like persistent sadness, emotional numbness, irritability, or a sense of disconnection from yourself or your baby. Some women describe feeling unlike themselves, overwhelmed, or stuck in a fog they can’t get out of.
Other symptoms include low energy, changes in sleep (excessive sleep, or not able to sleep), and changes in appetite.
How do I know if I have postpartum depression or just “baby blues”?
The baby blues are a very common and short-lived experience affecting up to 80% of new mothers. Symptoms include mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety, and irritability that typically appear within the first few days after birth and resolve on their own within 1-2 weeks.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is more intense, longer-lasting, and requires professional treatment. Symptoms might include deep sadness, inability to bond with your baby, and feelings of hopelessness, and often do not go away without support. The key difference is duration and severity.
When should I seek therapy for postpartum depression?
If your symptoms are lasting more than a couple of weeks, feel overwhelming, or are interfering with your ability to function or feel like yourself, it’s a good time to seek support.
Can postpartum depression go away on its own?
Of course, Postpartum Depression can improve over time, but other times it doesn't. For many women, symptoms can linger or fluctuate without the right support, especially when underlying factors like sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, identity changes, and stress are still present.
Working with a therapist can help you understand what’s contributing to how you’re feeling while also giving you practical tools to feel more steady day to day. With the right support, recovery is not only possible but often happens more quickly and with less ongoing distress.
Does therapy help with Postpartum Depression?
I’ve seen incredible transformations in moms working through postpartum depression in therapy, and it can be incredibly helpful. It’s not just about having a place to talk, it’s about having the right kind of support while you’re in a season that can feel overwhelming.
In therapy, we look at what’s underneath what you’re feeling, including identity shifts, pressure, relationship dynamics, and how you’ve learned to cope, while also building practical ways to help you feel more grounded. Approaches like relational therapy and EMDR can support both emotional and nervous system regulation.
Can EMDR help postpartum depression?
Yes, EMDR can be helpful, especially when postpartum depression is connected to birth trauma, past experiences, or deeply held negative beliefs. It helps process underlying experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming.
What are the early symptoms of postpartum depression??
Postpartum depression can look different for every person, but common early signs include persistent sadness, frequent crying, and feeling emotionally empty or disconnected from your baby. You may also experience extreme fatigue beyond normal new-parent tiredness, difficulty sleeping even when your baby sleeps, loss of appetite, and trouble concentrating. Some mothers report feeling irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed by everyday tasks.
In more serious cases, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby may occur. If symptoms last > 2 weeks or interfere with daily life, it's important to speak with your healthcare provider right away.
Can postpartum depression affect fathers and non-birthing partners?
Yes, postpartum depression is not exclusive to birthing parents. Research shows that roughly 1 in 10 fathers and non-birthing partners also experience PPD, typically within the first year after a baby's arrival.
Symptoms in partners may include increased irritability, withdrawal from family, anxiety, loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, and feeling overwhelmed or inadequate in their new role. Risk factors include a personal history of depression, relationship stress, lack of sleep, and financial pressure. If you or your partner are experiencing these symptoms, reaching out to a mental health professional is an important first step.
Can postpartum depression affect my ability to bond with my baby?
Yes, postpartum depression can make bonding with your baby feel difficult or even impossible, which is one of the most distressing aspects of the condition.
You may feel emotionally numb, disconnected, or indifferent toward your newborn, and then feel intense guilt for not feeling the immediate love you expected. It's important to know that this is a symptom of PPD, not a reflection of your love for your child or your ability to be a good parent. With proper treatment, bonding typically improves significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hi, I'm Salina Grilli
I understand that the transition to becoming a Mom can leave your mind, body, and nervous system depleted.
I’m a Columbia-trained psychotherapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in perinatal and postpartum mental health.
I have advanced certifications in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and EMDR, with almost a decade worth of experience supporting women through birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, eating disorders/disordered eating, and the emotional complexities of motherhood.
Hi, I’m Salina Grilli, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDR-C
I’m a Columbia-trained psychotherapist specializing in perinatal and postpartum mental health. I have advanced certifications in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) and EMDR, with a decade worth of experience supporting women through infertility, C-PTSD, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, and the emotional complexities of motherhood.
Schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation to see if we feel like a good fit
Complete intake paperwork so we understand your health history
Schedule your first session, where we’ll get to know you and your goals for therapy
If you feel like you’re losing yourself, let’s explore how we can support you. Start with a free consultation so we can get to know each other and see if we’re a good fit.
Therapy for Postpartum Depression
New Jersey 10 Allen Street Toms River NJ 08753
New York 315 Madison Avenue Suite 1505, New York City NY 10017
Manhattan Modern Therapy is a boutique psychotherapy practice, specializing in perinatal and postpartum mental health. Sessions are available online and in-person in New York City and New Jersey.
