Is virtual therapy actually as effective as in-person therapy for postpartum depression and anxiety?

Yes. Studies on telehealth-delivered therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders have found outcomes comparable to in-person care, and the flexibility of virtual sessions often improves attendance consistency.

Do I need a referral to see a postpartum therapist in California?

No. Private-pay therapists in California can be booked directly without a referral from an OB, midwife, or primary care doctor.

How soon after birth can I start postpartum therapy?

There is no required waiting period. Some moms start during pregnancy, others in the first weeks postpartum, and others months later once something starts to feel consistently off.

What's the difference between postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and normal new-mom exhaustion?

Exhaustion is situational and eases with rest and support. Postpartum depression and anxiety persist even on days with decent sleep and support, and interfere with daily functioning, bonding, or sense of self.

Does insurance cover postpartum therapy?

It depends on the plan and therapist. Many private-pay perinatal specialists don't bill insurance directly but can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Can I do postpartum therapy while pregnant with my second or third child?

Yes. Many moms use this time to process a difficult first postpartum experience before a second birth.

Why you Feel Like You’re Failing at Motherhood (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) 🌿

Jun 5

Written By Alexa Levine

Therapy For Pregnant + Postpartum Women in LA + SD + OC + Throughout California ✨

You feed them. You bathe them. You soothe them when they cry.
You manage the schedule, the meals, the appointments, the meltdowns — and somehow, you still lie awake at night wondering:

“Why do I feel like I’m failing?”

If you’re a pregnant or postpartum mom, especially in a place like LA, Orange County, or San Diego — where everything around you says you should be thriving — this feeling can be unbearable.

And here’s what I want you to know:

You’re not failing. You’re just doing too much. And no one is supporting you.

When the Mental Load Becomes Too Much ✨

You might look like you have it all together — but inside, it feels like you're barely holding on. Maybe you:

🌿 Snap at your partner, then spiral into guilt
🌿 Cry in the shower because it's the only place you’re alone
🌿 Feel completely disconnected from your body, your friends, and your former self
🌿 Constantly wonder, “Why is this so hard for me?”
🌿 Keep smiling in public, but feel like you're quietly unraveling

The truth is, most of the moms I work with feel this way — even though they are smart, capable, and endlessly loving. In fact, the most caring often feel the most guilty. 🌿

Motherhood Is Not a Test You’re Supposed to Pass ✨

You were never meant to raise babies in isolation, carry the emotional weight of an entire family, and maintain a sense of calm, gratitude, and grace through it all.

Of course you’re overwhelmed. Of course you feel lost.

This doesn’t mean something is wrong with you — it means something is missing for you. And that’s support. 🌿

Hi, I’m Alexa — Therapist for Moms Across California ✨

I am the voice and founder of Therapy For California Moms. I’m also a San Diego based licensed therapist and a mom of two, and I work with women across California — including moms in Santa Monica, Pasadena, Irvine, and Carlsbad — who are ready to stop pretending they’re okay and start actually feeling supported.

In therapy, we create a space where you don’t have to perform. You don’t have to be perfect. You just get to be — messy, real, tired, anxious, sad, grateful, and all of the above. 🌿

Therapy Can Help You ✨:

✅ Feel less reactive and more grounded
✅ Reconnect with who you are outside of motherhood
✅ Talk through the intrusive thoughts and spirals no one else sees
✅ Learn to set boundaries — without the guilt
✅ Finally stop carrying everything on your own

You’re Not Failing. You’re Just Burned Out. ✨

And you deserve better than survival mode. If you’re ready to feel seen, supported, and like yourself again — I’d love to talk with you. ✨

I offer online therapy for moms across California, with a special focus on pregnant and postpartum women in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

Let’s Get You Support ✨

Click here to schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation.
Let’s talk about what you need — and what it would feel like to finally have someone in your corner. 🌿

Alexa Levine