reproductive health
Therapy for reproductive mental health in NYC
Get the specialized support you need for your reproductive health.
You’re not alone
We Specialize in Therapy for reproductive mental health in NYC
It’s common to have challenges throughout significant life changes like pregnancy and parenthood. Because of the stigma around mental health issues, dealing with a complex range of emotions can make you feel isolated and confused. The truth is that you’re not alone.
Physical and emotional changes throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period can cause many new parents a lot of confusion and anxiety. However, you can learn new methods of self-care, including those that focus on your body, mind, and spirit.
Our NYC therapists work with individuals, expectant, and new parents with a wide range of concerns related to reproductive mental health. To provide effective evidence-based treatment that also tackles the social and cultural influences on mental health, clinicians receive continuous special training in reproductive mental health.
What Is THERAPY FOR Reproductive Mental Health?
Infertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, and perimenopause are some of the reproductive transitions that can be accompanied by mental health concerns. However, therapy can also help address concerns related to reproductive health in general, such as challenges coping with mood changes during your menstrual cycle, your decision to work with a surrogate, or extra support navigating menopause. Therapists who specialize in reproductive mental health help clients on a wide range of challenges including:
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Infertility
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Prepartum/Postpartum depression
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Unplanned pregnancy
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Adjustment to changes in family dynamics
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Anxiety or stress related to reproductive health issues
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Unresolved traumatic experiences such as sexual assault or medical trauma
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Chronic illness or disability that impacts reproduction
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Feeling overwhelmed with decision making related to reproduction
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Relationship changes related to reproductive health issues
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Difficulties with conceiving or carrying a pregnancy to term
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Additionally, therapists who specialize in this type of therapy can provide professional support to individuals or couples who would like help to:
Process the experience of fertility challenges, or stress associated with fertility treatments
Address the grief associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, or failed fertility treatments
Work through the emotions associated with the decision to terminate a pregnancy
Process the ambivalence of choosing to become a parent
Cope with the feelings of guilt and shame associated with infertility
Navigate the decision to become a single parent by choice
Navigate the decision and/or journey to use a donor or surrogate
Explore the psychological impact of infertility for men
At Clarity Therapy, we tailor our psychotherapy and integrative approach to your specific needs at any of these points in your reproductive journey.
What Do Reproductive Mental Health Issues Feel Like?
Since reproductive mental health issues occur at different points of a person’s reproductive journey, they might manifest in various ways. Here are a few common examples of reproductive concerns that therapy can help with.
fertility/Infertility issues
In the United States, around 11% of women and 9% of men of reproductive age experience fertility issues and often struggle with feelings of guilt or shame. Therapy can help you process the experience of these challenges, stress around fertility treatments, and emotions associated with alternative family planning (donor, surrogate, adoption) if you choose this route.
Pregnancy Loss/miscaRriage
Everyone, men and women alike, may look for explanations and reasons for these tragic events. Early losses are just as painful, and have the same longer-term effects on mood, as later-term losses. These experiences can often take an emotional toll and involve grief and self-blame, or anxiety about carrying a pregnancy to term in the future
After experiencing a pregnancy loss due to miscarriage or stillbirth, many women can conceive again and have a successful delivery. However, just because the body may be physically able to, it’s normal to still experience the emotional effects of a previous loss. This may manifest in many different ways including:
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Concerns about the following pregnancy
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Changes in the couple’s romantic dynamic
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Pressure to do a “good” job as a parent and a pregnant mother
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Shame
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Sadness for the loss that doesn’t go away, even years later
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Unplanned pregnancy
Processing any ambivalence about becoming a parent can be complex. This may involve navigating decisions around lifestyle changes, partnership, being a single parent, or terminating a pregnancy. Making decisions related to reproduction can feel overwhelming.
Traumatic medical experiences
Birthing, pregnancy loss, and certain medical procedures can be traumatic experiences that impact your comfort with medical care, your feelings around your reproductive health, and even your vision of family planning.
stress + anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum
A significant percentage of pregnant and postpartum women (20%) may experience mood or anxiety issues. This can include prepartum/postpartum depression, which can often be an isolating experience and impact your experience of feeling connected to your past self and your child
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression (PPD) has symptoms similar to the “baby blues,” but is typically more severe and lasts much longer. Postpartum Depression can even make it difficult for new mothers to take care of their child and perform regular responsibilities. Other effects include:
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Changes in mood, sleeping, and eating patterns (outside of what may be typical for a new mother with an infant)
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Shame, guilt, and anxiety
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Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
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A sense of being completely overwhelmed
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Negative self-talk or difficulty turning off a negative monologue in one’s head
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Feeling detached from one’s self and child
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Difficulty connecting to your child or experiencing positive emotions
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Intrusive thoughts of suicide or harming others
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Adjusting to changes in family dynamics
Your relationship with your partner and family may change after fertility challenges or even a healthy pregnancy. Balancing the addition of a new child into your existing family may look different than you expected. Therapy can help you navigate this new normal and help you better cope with unexpected challenges.
Perimenopause/Menopause
Menopause is a natural part of aging, and for many women, midlife and menopause can be a stressful time marked by the following symptoms:
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Irritability
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Mood changes
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Hot flashes or chills
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Insomnia or sleep changes
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Pain during intercourse
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Women are more likely to experience depression during perimenopause and menopause due to hormonal changes.
THERAPISTS WHO CAN HELP
Therapists Who Specialize in Therapy for Reproductive Mental Health in NYC
Connecting with the right therapist is the most important factor in your search. We’re here to help you find a great match.
How Reproductive mental Health Therapy in NYC Works
Similar to psychotherapy, reproductive health therapy in NYC focuses on identifying current concerns and identifying their core cause. To do this, you may have to talk in-depth about what you’ve been through, how you feel, and what worries you.
To help people with mental health concerns associated with reproduction, fertility, and menopause, we provide tailored treatment based on your needs as an individual, couple, or family. Depending on your concerns we have different treatment options available, such as therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
We’re also here to help address the emotional and mental difficulties that accompany the menstrual and postmenopausal transitions, such as menstruation-related mood disorders. If you are dealing with sexual issues or trauma-based concerns involving the reproductive system, we can provide support.
Seeking out therapy is a step into a safe, judgment-free zone. At Clarity, your therapist may ask you questions about your present challenges, strengths, symptoms, and goals for therapy, as well as any prior experiences, psychiatric treatment, and relationships.
Your therapist will give you an idea of what to expect from your sessions together. You’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ask any questions surrounding how the therapy process works.
The success of therapy depends on the establishment of a safe and welcoming environment for you. Each session is geared toward helping you try out different approaches to problem-solving, behaviors, and new ways of thinking. With the guidance and support of a trained professional, you can successfully cope with the emotional fallout of reproductive mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship challenges.
What if I’m Not Ready To Start Therapy?
We recognize that taking the first step toward counseling for reproductive mental health may feel overwhelming. There’s no need to rush into this decision if you aren’t ready. If you need help getting through your challenges, you can look into other options first.
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Prioritize your health: Exercise and other forms of physical activity, including taking walks, can become part of your everyday routine. Take some time to recharge your batteries. Stick to a healthy diet and cut off alcohol.
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Have reasonable expectations: You may not want to put too much on your plate at once. Try to reduce the pressure you put on yourself to heal and act quickly. Do the best you can and let go of expectations that don’t serve you.
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Spend some time on yourself: Put yourself first and take a break from your daily routine. If you have a baby, you may need to ask your partner to take on more responsibility or find a babysitter. You can spend time on a hobby or an activity that brings you joy. Planning some alone time with your significant other or close friends is also a good idea.
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Avoid being alone: Try to communicate your feelings to your partner, close relatives, or friends. Consult with other parents to learn from their stories. Having contact with other people may restore your sense of humanity.
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Check out Postpartum Progress and Postpartum Support International — These two websites are geared toward mothers in the postpartum phase, offering many support groups and educational resources for those in need of them. If you’re hesitant about reaching out to people in your life, it can be helpful to connect with strangers that are going through the same struggles.
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need Support for Your reproductive mental health?
We can help.
You don’t have to suffer alone. We’re here to provide you with the support you need surrounding reproductive mental health and healing. Reach out today for a complimentary consultation with one of our therapists who specialize in therapy for reproductive mental health in NYC.
