Aviva Psychology Services
Perinatal therapy in Massachusetts
Family adjustment often comes with uncertainty, overwhelm, worry, grief, and unmet expectations. We help people navigate the emotional challenges of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with compassion, patience, and expert support.
Is it supposed to feel this hard?
You’re pregnant or just had a baby, and everyone expects you to feel grateful and glowing. But instead you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally disconnected. Maybe you're not sleeping even when the baby sleeps. Maybe your thoughts spiral. Maybe you're feeling insecure and feel guilty for feeling anything but gratitude and joy.
Perinatal stress shows up in so many ways:
- Crying more than usual or feeling numb
- Feeling like you're failing at something you thought you’d love
- Panic, rage, or anxiety that’s hard to explain
- Worry that something's wrong with you for feeling this way
Therapy during the perinatal phase (pregnancy and postpartum) can help you make sense of what’s happening inside without guilt or shame. At Aviva, we offer space to speak freely, feel deeply, and find steady support during a time that often feels very unsteady.
What is perinatal therapy?
Perinatal therapy supports mental health during and after pregnancy. It includes the full arc of the reproductive experience, from conception and pregnancy to birth, postpartum, and early parenting. For many, it’s a time of major transition: hormonal changes, identity shifts, trauma, and isolation can all surface, even when a baby is deeply wanted. Perinatal therapy creates space to process these experiences honestly. It gives you a place to slow down and talk through the emotional layers of becoming a parent, or trying to become a parent.
You might benefit from perinatal therapy if:
- You’re feeling anxious or depressed during or after pregnancy
- You’ve experienced a traumatic birth or complications
- You feel disconnected from your baby or partner(s)
- You’re overwhelmed by changes to your identity, body, or relationship
- You’ve had fertility challenges or pregnancy loss and now carry complex feelings into this next chapter
You can learn more about perinatal mental health here.
Why choose aviva psychology services?
At Aviva, we understand that perinatal experiences are not one-size-fits-all. Our team includes psychologists who specialize in reproductive and maternal mental health. We have training in evidence-based practices and deep respect for the emotional complexity of this season.
We offer therapy that is warm, inclusive, and evidence based. Whether you’re dealing with postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, pregnancy after loss, or simply adjusting to a new identity, we’re here to help you feel understood, learn new coping skills, and find the support you need.
Our perinatal therapy process
Reaching out can be hard when you’re already running on empty. We've made the process clear and simple:
Request an Appointment
Once you complete the form, we will reach out. If we have a fitting opening, we schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to assess fit further together.
Assessment and Planning
The first 2–4 sessions assess your concerns, history, and goals. You and your therapist will discuss fit and establish a treatment plan together.
Ongoing Weekly Sessions
Sessions are held at the same time each week and typically last 55 minutes to work towards your treatment goals.
Rediscover yourself
Imagine waking up with a better handle on the challenges of being a new parent. Feeling less overwhelmed and understanding that your experience is normal.
Perinatal therapy doesn’t erase the challenges; it helps you meet them with more clarity and confidence. You will learn to listen to yourself, meet your needs, and lead with your values. You will build trust in your ability to care for your child while also caring for you. This isn’t about becoming the “perfect parent.” It’s about developing the skills to effectively understand and meet your and your baby's needs.
Benefits of perinatal therapy
Emotional relief
Talk through complex feelings, clarify your needs, and develop effective strategies to meet those needs.
Coping strategies
Build tools to manage anxiety, panic, and mood shifts.
Stronger connection
Reconnect with yourself, your baby, and your partner.
You’re not the only one who feels this way
It might feel like you’re the only one who didn’t bond with your baby right away. The only one who wakes up dreading the day. The only one who feels like they’re failing. But you’re not alone.
Perinatal therapy helps you find yourself, identify your needs, and care for yourself so that you can feel more joy, peace and connection in daily life and in parenting. Effective self care contributes to effective parenting, and our team at Aviva is trained to help you build these skills.
FAQs about perinatal therapy
What's the difference between perinatal therapy and parent coaching?
Perinatal therapy treats psychological symptoms accompanied by a mental health diagnosis, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD or a mood disorder.
Parent coaching is an active and time limited service designed to build specific parenting skills and/or address specific parenting stuckpoints. It does not involve addressing mental health symptoms and is therefore not covered by insurance. Learn more here.
Is perinatal therapy only for postpartum depression?
No. We support a wide range of concerns including anxiety, anger, trauma, grief, and identity shifts across the entire perinatal period.
Can therapy help with birth trauma or NICU stays?
Yes. We offer trauma-informed care for clients who have experienced medical trauma, complications, or NICU journeys.
Do you work with non-birthing partners or adoptive parents?
Absolutely. Our work is inclusive of all family structures and parenting paths.
What if I’ve already had my baby and I still don’t feel right?
This is common. We work with clients at all postpartum stages, including many months and years after birth.
What if you didn’t have to face this alone?
You don’t have to stay silent. You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to support you through this season of life and everything it stirs up.
