When Motherhood Doesn’t Feel Like What You Thought It Would, Therapy Helps Support You.

This isn’t the Motherhood you were looking forward to and the guilt is taking over

(And You’re Quietly Wondering If Something Is Wrong With You)

You waited for this chapter.

Maybe you longed for it. Maybe you worked hard to get here. Maybe you were told it would be the most meaningful season of your life.

And yet…

• You feel disconnected.

• Overwhelmed.

• Irritable.

• Lonely in ways you can’t explain.

You love your baby — but you don’t feel like yourself.

If that’s you, I want you to know something clearly:

This does not mean you are failing.
It does not mean you aren’t grateful.
And it does not mean you weren’t meant to be a mother.

It may mean you’re experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety — and you deserve real support.

The Version of Motherhood No One Prepared You For

We prepare for labor.
We prepare the nursery.
We research strollers.

We do not prepare for:

• The identity collapse

• The constant mental load

• The resentment that surprises you

• The anxiety that hums beneath everything

• The guilt for not feeling blissful

For many high-functioning, capable women across California, postpartum depression does not look like not getting out of bed.

It looks like:

• Functioning while internally unraveling

• Snapping at your partner and hating yourself afterward

• Feeling like everyone else is coping better than you

• Googling “why am I so angry after having a baby”

Postpartum anxiety often looks like:

• Constant mental scanning for danger

• Difficulty sleeping even when the baby sleeps

• Irrational fears that feel very real

• Tightness in your chest that never fully leaves

And because you’re competent, people assume you’re fine.

“But I Should Be Happy.”

This is the sentence I hear most often.

“I should be happy.”
“I wanted this.”
“Other women have it harder.”

Here’s the truth:

Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are not moral failures. They are nervous system and hormonal realities layered on top of enormous life transition.

You have:

• Sleep deprivation

• Hormonal shifts

• Identity transformation

• Relationship changes

• Increased responsibility

• Reduced autonomy

That is not a small adjustment.

That is a psychological earthquake.

The Identity Shift No One Talks About

Even if you love your child deeply, you may feel grief for the version of you who existed before.

The woman who:

• Had uninterrupted thoughts

• Could leave the house without logistics

• Felt spontaneous

• Felt sexually connected

• Felt confident

You are not selfish for missing her.

You are human.

Postpartum depression often intensifies when this grief goes unspoken.
Postpartum anxiety intensifies when you feel like you must “handle it” alone.

Silence fuels both.

The High-Functioning Trap

Many of the women I work with are accomplished.
They are planners.
They are responsible.

So they respond to postpartum depression by trying harder.

They respond to postpartum anxiety by controlling more.

But motherhood is not a system you can optimize your way out of.

You cannot productivity-hack your nervous system into calm.

You cannot “mindset” your way through hormonal depletion.

You cannot white-knuckle your way into joy.

You need support.

When It’s More Than Just “Normal Adjustment”

Some level of overwhelm is normal in early motherhood.

But it may be time to reach out if you notice:

• Persistent sadness beyond two weeks

• Anxiety that interferes with sleep or concentration

• Frequent irritability or rage

• Feeling detached from yourself or your baby

• Intrusive thoughts that scare you

• Resentment toward your partner that feels explosive

• Feeling like you’re barely holding it together

Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are incredibly common — especially among high-achieving women who put pressure on themselves to cope well.

You do not need to wait until it gets worse.

Therapy Doesn’t Have To Wait Until You’re at Rock Bottom

There is a misconception that seeking therapy means something is deeply wrong.

What if instead it means:

You are wise enough to not carry this alone.

Therapy for postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety isn’t about labeling you.

It’s about:

• Regulating your nervous system

• Processing identity shifts

• Rebuilding confidence

• Repairing relationship strain

• Reconnecting to yourself

You deserve a space where you don’t have to perform strength.

A Quick Note About Me

I’m Alexa Levine, LMFT. I specialize in working with California moms navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the emotional complexity of motherhood.

I work virtually with women across Orange County, San Diego (including Carlsbad and Encinitas), Los Angeles, and the Bay Area.

Much of the mental health space focuses on the baby. My work centers on you — the mom.

The exhaustion.
The resentment.
The guilt.
The invisible mental load.

You matter just as much as your child does.

If you’re experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, you do not need to minimize it or explain it away.

You deserve real, high-quality support.

If this resonates, you can Book your first session here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression typically includes persistent sadness, hopelessness, irritability, loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, and feeling disconnected from yourself or your baby. If these symptoms last more than two weeks or interfere with daily functioning, it’s worth seeking support.

What is the difference between postpartum anxiety and regular new-mom worry?

Postpartum anxiety feels constant and intrusive. It often includes racing thoughts, physical tension, catastrophic thinking, difficulty sleeping, and a sense that something terrible could happen at any moment. It’s more intense and less controllable than typical adjustment stress.

Can postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety show up months after birth?

Yes. Many women assume symptoms must appear immediately after delivery. In reality, postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety can emerge anytime within the first year (and sometimes beyond), especially as sleep deprivation accumulates and identity shifts deepen.

Is therapy enough, or do I need medication?

It depends on symptom severity. Many women benefit significantly from therapy alone. Others choose to combine therapy with medication prescribed by a physician. We can discuss options collaboratively based on your needs.

Do you only work with early postpartum moms?

No. I work with women throughout pregnancy, early postpartum, and later stages of motherhood. The identity shifts and emotional complexity don’t disappear after the first year.

What if I’m not sure it’s “bad enough” for therapy?

You do not need to hit a crisis point to deserve support. If you’re asking the question, that’s often enough reason to explore it.

Motherhood can be meaningful and destabilizing at the same time.

You can love your child deeply and still struggle.
You can feel grateful and exhausted.
You can be capable and overwhelmed.

If you’re navigating postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety and quietly wondering if this is just your new normal — it doesn’t have to be.

You deserve to feel like yourself again.

When you’re ready, Book your first session.