Postpartum Depression & Anxiety Therapy in Long Island, NY
Evidence-based therapy for postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum OCD. Also treating pregnancy-related anxiety and depression.
Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and OCD: What's Happening and Why It's Treatable
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring profound joy — and also profound difficulty. Many new and expecting parents expect to feel happy and bonded right away, so when sadness, overwhelming anxiety, or disturbing intrusive thoughts arrive instead, it can feel confusing and frightening.
Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are among the most common complications of the postpartum period, affecting approximately 1 in 5 new mothers. They include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum OCD — conditions that are distinct from the “baby blues” and do not reliably go away on their own.
These conditions are also common during pregnancy itself, not just after delivery. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and depression can begin or worsen at any point in the perinatal period.
The good news is that all of these conditions are highly treatable. With the right support, most people experience significant relief and are able to feel like themselves again.
Postpartum Depression
- Persistent sadness, emotional numbness, loss of enjoyment, difficulty bonding with your baby, exhaustion that goes beyond typical new-parent tiredness, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness that last beyond the first two weeks.
Postpartum Anxiety
- Constant worry about your baby's health or safety, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping even when your baby sleeps, physical tension, and a persistent sense that something terrible is about to happen — even when everything is fine.
Postpartum OCD
- Intrusive, unwanted thoughts — often about accidentally or intentionally harming the baby — that feel horrifying and completely out of character. Compulsive checking, reassurance seeking, and avoidance of caregiving tasks driven by fear rather than desire. These thoughts are not a sign of danger. They are a sign of OCD.
Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Treatment in Long Island, NY
Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders respond well to evidence-based therapy. The approach I use depends on what you are experiencing.
CBT and IPT for Postpartum Depression
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and shift the thought patterns and behavioral cycles that maintain depression — including withdrawal, self-criticism, and inactivity. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) was specifically developed for depression and focuses on the relationship and role changes that accompany new parenthood, including conflict, grief over the loss of your former self, and shifting expectations.
ACT for Postpartum Anxiety
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you develop a more flexible relationship with anxious thoughts rather than fighting them or trying to make them go away. Instead of trying to eliminate worry, ACT focuses on clarifying what matters to you as a parent and helping you build a life that reflects those values — even in the presence of anxiety.
ERP for Postpartum OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
If you are experiencing intrusive thoughts about harming your baby, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment. It is critical to understand that intrusive thoughts about harm are ego-dystonic — they feel completely contrary to your values and who you are as a parent. Having these thoughts does not mean you are dangerous or that you will act on them. ERP helps you respond to these thoughts differently so they gradually lose their grip.
You can read more about ERP on our ERP page and about ACT on our ACT page.
Working with a Postpartum Therapist in Long Island
Many people wait too long to seek help during the postpartum period because they feel they should be able to manage on their own, or because they are afraid of being judged as a parent. This is especially true for people experiencing postpartum OCD — the thoughts feel so shameful and frightening that many people never tell anyone what they are experiencing.
Therapy is a space where you can be completely honest. Treatment is practical and focused on what you are actually going through. We will work to understand what is driving your symptoms, develop strategies that fit your life as a new or expecting parent, and help you feel more like yourself again.
Sessions are available in person in Rockville Centre and via telehealth across New York and New Jersey — making it easy to access care during a time when leaving the house can feel like a significant undertaking in itself.
Common Thoughts During the Postpartum Period
- "I should be happier. What's wrong with me?"
- "What if I'm not cut out to be a mother?"
- "What if I accidentally drop the baby or something goes wrong?"
- "I had a horrible thought about my baby. Does that make me dangerous?"
- "I can't stop worrying even though I know everything is probably fine."
- I don't feel bonded to my baby and I'm terrified that means something."
- "I keep checking on the baby even in the middle of the night. I can't stop."
- "I'm avoiding being alone with my baby because I'm scared of my own thoughts."
Common Safety Behaviors and Avoidance Patterns
- Avoiding caregiving tasks — refusing to bathe, carry, or be alone with the baby due to fear of intrusive thoughts
- Excessive Checking — repeatedly checking that the baby is breathing, at a safe temperature, or unharmed
- Reassurance Seeking — repeatedly asking others for confirmation that you are not dangerous or that the baby is okay
- Withdrawing from support — isolating to avoid having to explain how you are feeling
- Avoiding Triggers — staying away from knives, stairs, or other objects associated with intrusive thoughts
- Mental Reviewing — replaying interactions with the baby to check for evidence that something went wrong
Postpartum OCD, Postpartum Depression, and Anxiety: How They Overlap
Postpartum OCD is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Because the intrusive thoughts are so distressing, many new parents are afraid to disclose them — and many providers are not trained to recognize them as OCD. It is important to work with a therapist who understands the difference between ego-dystonic intrusive thoughts (OCD) and genuine risk.
Postpartum anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, and it is also common for people with a prior history of OCD or anxiety to experience a significant worsening of symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
You can learn more about OCD therapy here and health anxiety treatment here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Therapy in Long Island
What is the difference between the baby blues and postpartum depression?
The baby blues are very common and typically begin within the first few days after birth, resolving on their own within two weeks. Postpartum depression is more persistent and more severe, lasting beyond two weeks and significantly interfering with daily functioning. If symptoms have lasted more than two weeks, it is worth speaking with a therapist.
Are intrusive thoughts about harming my baby normal?
Unwanted intrusive thoughts are extremely common in the postpartum period and do not mean you will act on them. Research is consistent on this: parents who have intrusive thoughts about harming their baby are not at risk of acting on them. When these thoughts cause significant distress and lead to avoidance or compulsive behaviors, it is likely postpartum OCD, which is highly treatable with ERP.
I'm still pregnant — can I start therapy now?
Yes. Anxiety, OCD symptoms, and depression can begin or worsen during pregnancy, and starting therapy before delivery is often very helpful. You do not have to wait until after the baby arrives.
Do you treat postpartum OCD specifically?
Yes. As a psychologist specializing in OCD, I am trained in ERP — the gold-standard treatment for postpartum OCD and intrusive thoughts. Many general therapists are not trained in ERP, so it is worth seeking out a specialist.
Do you offer telehealth for postpartum therapy in New York and New Jersey?
Yes. Telehealth sessions are available for clients in New York and New Jersey. In-person sessions are available in Rockville Centre on Long Island. Telehealth is particularly useful for new parents who find it difficult to leave the house.
Still not sure what your symptoms mean? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to clarify your symptoms and next steps.
Postpartum Therapy in Rockville Centre, Long Island
Evidence-based treatment for postpartum depression, anxiety, and OCD — available in person and by telehealth
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you are experiencing postpartum depression, overwhelming anxiety, or frightening intrusive thoughts, therapy can help you feel more like yourself again.
I offer postpartum therapy in Rockville Centre and virtually across New York and New Jersey, using CBT, ACT, IPT, and ERP in a warm, non-judgmental setting.
Ready to Begin?
The first step is a brief 15-minute phone or video consultation to clarify fit and next steps.