reasons mothers go to therapy

FAQ about therapy for moms

will therapy help me?

I wouldn’t do what I do - if I didn’t think so. Honestly, I wouldn’t put my kids in daycare - if it wasn’t worth it.
I wouldn’t pour my heart and soul into the work of expressive art therapy for moms - if I didn’t think it could absolutely change your life. 

During my own postpartum therapy journey I had to unlearn everything I thought mothers were supposed to be (strong, complacent, all-giving, selfless). I had to unlearn so I could thrive, find my resilience and my enough-ness.

Therapy helped me; with communication, with honouring my own needs, with expressing myself and with making self-care a priority, just to name a few things. 

The creative arts healed me in ways that I can’t describe in words. Ask me to show you in shape & colour and I can do it over and over again. I’ve experienced the transformations of therapy at many different intervals in my life, but none more significant than therapy as a mother.  

My wish for women is that they find the courage to ask for support, even when they haven’t received an official diagnosis. Therapy isn’t only for people who have received a diagnosis or have survived a major loss or trauma. Lots of women come to me without a diagnosis because they have self assessed that they just “don’t feel right” and want to be proactive instead of reactive. 

how frequently do I need to go to therapy?

I recommend committing to at least 6 sessions, over the course of 6-12 weeks. Depending on your intentions for therapy: proactive or targeted towards a particular issue/stressor. Though, if you are in crisis, or have acute anxiety or depressive symptoms, you will likely need more frequent sessions. 

It takes commitment, consistency and momentum to really feel the effects of therapy and to get yourself comfortable in the therapeutic relationship. 

Consistent therapy is especially essential when your thoughts and feelings feel heavy, daunting, intrusive and/or all-consuming.

at the beginning of a therapeutic relationship, two things are happening and it needs time to grow and flourish into change.

1. You are getting comfortable sharing your story

2. You and your therapist are getting to know each other and developing a therapeutic relationship.

you’re interested… but not quite sure. why do other mothers go to therapy?

Warning: this list may contain triggering details if you are in a particular sensitive, depressive or anxious state. If are triggered in any way by reading this OR right away you choose not to continue, I suggest you seek therapy right away. These activation in your nervous system are dead giveaways that you could and will benefit from therapy.

reasons to seek therapy as a mother

• You are seeking validation and recognition for the mental load of mothering

• You’d like to feel more self-compassion, build your self esteem and feel worthy

• You want to work on some childhood hurt(s)

• You feel like you yell (a lot)

• You feel like you’re constantly crying

• You’ve been so angry with your kids that they were scared of you

• You feel like you are alone in parenting

• You hate being a mom (and feel guilty about it)

• You don’t feel guilty when you leave your children (and then feel guilty about not feeling guilty)

• You don’t trust anyone else to take care of your baby/children

• You don’t know who you are anymore because all you are is “mom”

• You want to learn how to stay calm amid the chaos of parenting

• You are feeling hurt and angry and wondering if it’s normal

• Your mental health is interfering with your ability to parent

• You are worried that your children will be taken away from you

• You’re feeling anxious about going back to work after maternity leave

• You’re transitioning from 1 to 2 children

• You feel like you can’t talk to your partner or friends about the reality of your feelings / thoughts

• You feel disconnected from your partner

• You feel like your partner just “doesn’t get it”

• You’re struggling to feel independent in your relationship

• You are in an unhealthy / abusive relationship

• You feel resentment towards your partner and are quick to be frustrated

• You feel like you can’t talk to your partner or friends about the reality of your feelings / thoughts

• You’re in the middle of a life transition and are feeling overwhelmed

• You’d like to deal with negative feelings you’re having towards a family member ⠀

• You are struggling to establish and maintain boundaries with people in your life

• You want dedicated time and space with someone to practice creativity & mindfulness

• You’re wanting some help to establish a wellness routine (read: self care)

• You want to talk through your feelings, life circumstances, stressors, irritations with someone unbiased⠀

therapy does not equal weakness or an inability to cope of your life.

Actually some of the strongest people I’ve ever met, proudly talk about their therapy journey.

So... ask yourself:
Are you human?
Do you have feelings?
Are you struggling?

Then yes, now is the right time for therapy. I am thrilled to be part of a movement - where it’s becoming more and more ok to say “I’m not ok”.

This work, THE work, I do is for ALL the mothers.
The mothers who feel guilty about putting their needs first.
The mothers who stay quiet.
The mothers who can’t say no.
The mothers who do not or cannot honour what they need for their maternal mental health.
The mothers who are struggling with self-care.
The mothers who are burned out.
The mothers who are stressed AF.
The mothers who cannot make one more decision.
The mothers who are exhausted but can’t sleep at night.
The mothers who do not feel worthy.

I do ALL of this work for you. Seek the help you feel like you need! It is always the right time to seek the support you deserve.

If you’d like more dialogue about this and how therapy can create more joy in your life - connect with me.

Until next time,