The Silent Load: Why High-Achieving Moms in California Feel So Overwhelmed (And What You Can Do About It) Therapy For Moms in California
The Silent Load: Why High-Achieving Moms in California Feel So Overwhelmed (And What You Can Do About It)
If you’re a smart, capable, high-achieving mom in California who keeps thinking:
“Why does motherhood feel so hard for me when I’m doing everything ‘right’?”
— you’re not alone.
So many moms I work with across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Jose, and the Bay Area say the same thing in session:
“I love my kids, but I feel exhausted every single day.”
“I can’t tell if I’m depressed, anxious, or just burned out.”
“I take care of everyone… but who takes care of me?”
This constant state of emotional pressure is often called the mental load — the invisible, nonstop, overwhelming layer of responsibility that lands on mothers.
And for many moms, that mental load creates symptoms of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or a mix of both… even long after the newborn phase.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on — without the sugarcoating.
Why Moms in California Feel the Mental Load So Intensely
California moms face a unique pressure cooker:
✔ Lack of emotional and physical support
✔ Long commutes
✔ Limited family support
✔ Competitive school, work, and parenting cultures
✔ “Do everything perfectly” expectations
✔ Working while raising young kids
✔ Judgment from in-laws or parents
✔ A partner who may try but doesn’t feel like enough support
You’re not imagining it — your environment adds weight.
And when you’re already stretched thin, the symptoms of postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression can get louder.
Signs the Mental Load Is Becoming Too Heavy
You might notice:
You feel on edge all day
You can’t turn off your brain
You’re constantly planning, predicting, managing
You eat last, sleep last, rest last
You resent your partner for not carrying more
You feel like you’re failing even when you’re doing everything
You never get to “just be”
You’re anxious the moment you wake up
You cry more easily
You don’t enjoy things you used to
You’re overwhelmed by even simple tasks
These symptoms overlap with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.
And no — you don’t have to be in the newborn stage to feel them.
Here’s What No One Tells High-Functioning Moms
If you’re someone who:
was always the responsible one
excelled in your career
kept everything organized
was dependable
rarely asked for help
…motherhood hits differently.
Not because you’re weak —
but because you’re doing the work of three people, invisible and unpaid.
Your burnout is not a personal failure.
It’s a symptom of doing too much with too little support.
What It Looks Like to Finally Get Support
When moms start therapy with me, they often say:
“I didn’t realize how heavy I’ve been carrying everything.”
“I finally have someone who gets it.”
“I feel like myself again.”
Together, we work on:
🌿 Untangling postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety
🌿 Releasing guilt
🌿 Reducing overwhelm
🌿 Addressing resentment toward partners
🌿 Creating boundaries with family and in-laws
🌿 Rebuilding identity outside motherhood
🌿 Getting your emotional needs met
🌿 Feeling grounded instead of drowning
Therapy doesn’t just reduce symptoms —
it gives you your life back.
About Me — and How I Support Moms Across California
Hi, I’m Alexa, a licensed therapist, mom of two young kids and founder of Therapy For California Moms.
I specialize in supporting overwhelmed, burned-out, emotionally exhausted moms across California who feel like motherhood is swallowing them whole.
I’ve helped hundreds of moms move through:
postpartum depression
postpartum anxiety
loss of identity
resentment toward partners
overstimulation
guilt
pressure from parents/in-laws
feeling like they’re “never enough”
You don’t have to survive motherhood in a fog.
You deserve support too.
How Therapy Helps You Feel Like Yourself Again
In therapy, we work together to:
✔ Lower the constant pressure
✔ Build emotional support
✔ Rebalance the mental load
✔ Reduce anxiety and intrusive thoughts
✔ Understand whether you’re dealing with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, or burnout
✔ Create a calmer home dynamic
✔ Stop carrying everything alone
✔ Rediscover the parts of you beyond motherhood
You don’t just get a therapist —
you get someone who actually understands what it’s like to be a mom right now in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to have a newborn to get help for postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety?
No. Many moms experience symptoms months or years later. If you’re overwhelmed, anxious, hopeless, or burned out — support can help at any stage.
Q: Do you offer therapy across all of California?
Yes — all sessions are virtual and available to moms in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, San Jose, the Bay Area, and anywhere else in California.
Q: What if I’m not sure whether it’s postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety?
You don’t need to know. I’ll help you understand your symptoms and what will actually help you feel better.
Q: Will therapy help me feel like myself again?
Yes. Most moms I work with report feeling more grounded, less anxious, clearer, and more emotionally supported within the first few weeks.
You Don’t Have to Keep Carrying Everything Alone
You deserve support too — not someday, not later — now.
If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, or losing yourself in motherhood, therapy can help you breathe again.
