Mental Health Support in Motherhood
Anxiety | Depression | Grief & Loss | Postpartum | Pregnancy | Attachment | Parenting | Pregnancy after Loss
Gillian Marit, MSW, RSW, Social Worker & Psychotherapist serving Ontario, Canada
Maybe being a mom isn’t what you expected. You find yourself thinking, “I love my child but….
“what happened to me?”
“why is this so much easier for everyone else?”
“does my baby hate me?”
“what’s happening to my relationship?”
“how do I do this without my own mother?”
“what are these scary thoughts I’m having?”
“how do I cope with my in-laws?”
“this isn’t want I wanted.”
“I’m a terrible mother.”
Common topics addressed in therapy for moms:
Pregnancy & postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood disorders
Transition to parenthood, change in identity, and loss of freedom
Relationship challenges
Intrusive and upsetting/scary thoughts
Delivery and birth coping plans
Unplanned pregnancies, terminations, and prenatal diagnoses
Baby blues, low mood, and change in self-esteem
Pregnancy loss and stillbirth, grief & loss
Birth trauma and/or unexpected birth interventions
Attachment and bonding
Establishing healthy boundaries
Managing new roles, responsibilities, and identities
Intimacy and sex
Therapy can help you feel like yourself again. I have advanced training and experience in perinatal mental health, parenting, attachment, and everything that is the wild journey of motherhood and parenthood.
Hi There, I’m Gillian
I’m a mother and a therapist who believes that with the right support and information we can all find calm and joy in parenthood.
If you read that and thought “Gillian that sounds both blissful and impossible, what are you talking about?”, then you just might be in the right place. I’ve been there. My transition into motherhood was challenging in ways that I never imagined, even with all of my experience and education. After years of infertility and then a traumatic birth, life threw a brain injury into the mix, taking my husband down with it, when I was in the thick of my first year of postpartum.
I quickly realized I needed support. I felt lost in parenthood, body changes, new responsibilities, and grief. I was overwhelmed and staring depression in the face. Therapy and social support gave me my mental health back and that’s why I am committed to promoting and supporting maternal mental health.
Together we will help you find new tools, support, and ways to process what you’ve been through. You can find joy in life and motherhood (again or for the first time).
You don’t have to lose yourself in motherhood.
Somewhere along the line we received the message that we are responsible for everything. In those early postpartum days, we feel like we are failing if feeding and sleep aren’t going well. The house is a mess and we just can’t keep up. We wonder if we are doing this all wrong.
Even with the right support, we can’t let go of the guilt we feel. We prioritize caring for everyone else above ourselves. It just becomes routine. And then one day we realize how lost we are. Where did we go? What happened? I’m here to help you find yourself and find balance again. It’s time to start feeling better.
Moms who are struggling look a lot like Moms who aren’t struggling.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
At its core, therapy is meant to address psychological, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, stress management, and personal growth are common therapy themes. The hope is that you will gain insight into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, fostering self-awareness and new coping skills, moving you towards mental health, enhanced communication, healthier relationships, increased self-esteem, and the development of effective strategies to manage life's challenges.
PARENTING & COUPLE THERAPY
Spending time together as a parenting couple in therapy is often helpful. Navigating this new or existing role and how it impacts your other roles (like romantic partners and individuals) can give you new perspectives and tools to cope with the ever demanding landscape or caring for tiny, and not so tiny, humans.
TELETHERAPY
All therapy services are delivered virtually or over the phone at this time. No need to travel or even get out of your pyjamas. We can connect from the comfort of your home. I can support anyone living in Ontario Canada. I use a confidential and PHIPA compliant teletherapy platform (Jane), which you can access with your phone, tablet, or computer.
Support is just a couple of steps away…
I am ready to book an appointment and get started with therapy
I have a few questions and I’d like to start with a consult
But what about partners? Or other parents?
1 in 10 men experience postpartum depression and anxiety
Anyone in their parenting journey can access counselling and therapy support from me. Partners are an integral part of the health and well-being of children and the family. And we know that non-birthing parents experience a wide range of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, as well as their own challenges adjusting to new roles and responsibilities. I welcome anyone who identifies as a parent to join your session, or accessing counselling individually. Whatever your family needs.
Mental Health
Mental health is not the absence of sadness, worry, or trouble. It’s not being happy all or most of the time. Mental health and well-being is having the ability to manage and cope with life’s ups and downs. Motherhood, and the rapid change in one’s physical, emotional, and mental state can challenge anyone’s mental health. Accessing counselling and therapy as a mother can be essential to finding a new balance that promotes and supports your mental health and well-being.
Baby Blues
Baby blues, experienced by 60-80% of birthing parents, are a common and temporary emotional state experienced in days following childbirth. Mood swings, increased sensitivity, feelings of sadness, tearfulness, and occasional irritability are regularly reported. Baby blues typically emerge within the first week (peaking around days 3-5) and can last for a few days and up to two weeks. Baby blues are very common and very normal. They usually resolve on their own without intervention. However, if you are still experiencing these symptoms after two weeks, it might be time to reach out to a medical provider or a therapist for more support.
Postpartum Depression and Mood Disorders
Postpartum depression and other mood disorders can affect birthing and non-birthing parents. Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities, as well as irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, and difficulties in bonding with baby are all common. While baby blues are temporary, postpartum depression lasts longer and often requires professional intervention. Postpartum psychosis is another rare but severe condition involving hallucinations, delusions, and confusion. Timely recognition, support, and treatment are crucial.Please reach out for the help you deserve.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Anxiety
Anxiety can develop during pregnancy or start after birth. Excessive worry, nervousness, and heightened apprehension about various aspects of motherhood, the baby's well-being, and other life stressors are common. Unlike the temporary mood swings of baby blues, this tends to persist and can interfere with a one’s ability to function effectively in day to day life. Symptoms may include restlessness, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping even when given the opportunity, and physical symptoms like heart palpitations or dizziness, and the avoidance of certain situations or activities due to excessive fear.
Pregnancy after Loss
Pregnancy loss, including miscarriages and stillbirths, can be emotionally devastating for individuals and couples. Coping with grief, sadness, and a sense of loss is a normal response. For those who become pregnant again after experiencing loss, it can be a complex and emotionally charged experience. While it brings hope, it can also trigger anxiety and fear. Therapy and a strong support network can play a crucial role in navigating the emotional challenges and uncertainties associated with being pregnant after loss.
Evening & Weekend appointments available
Virtual & Phone Therapy anywhere in Ontario
Online booking & free consultation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Life is full of challenges. We are often equipped to manage the ups and downs, but sometimes our ability to cope is strained. Stress piles up or something awful happens. Our resources, skills, and supports are not enough to bring us back to a good place. Having someone who is specifically trained and focused on supporting you can be really helpful. You should start to feel better and see changes.
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A referral is not required. You can contact me directly or book a free 20 minute phone consultation online. During this call, you and I will speak about what’s going on, why you are seeking treatment at this time, and what you hope to gain from therapy. An initial appointment will then be set up at the earliest convenient time.
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The initial appointment will be conversational in nature. I will seek information from you about what you’d like to discuss and the goals you’d like to establish. From there you and I will develop a plan so that you can work toward feeling better. The number of appointments needed varies by person, but in general people benefit from anywhere between 1-12 sessions, or longer if their challenges are more pervasive.
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Therapy services provided by the professional designation, Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, are not covered by OHIP but may be covered by your extended health benefits plan.
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At this time, I am a providing individual therapy to adults. If appropriate, other people may join the appointment, but I am not currently providing child, couple, or family therapy directly. On rare occasions it might be helpful to have others join the appointment (eg. sharing a new diagnosis of illness with a family member). In such cases, our work would start one on one and together we would decide if others would be invited to join.
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Please provide at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a booked appointment. You can leave a voicemail, or send an email. If you need to cancel or reschedule with shorter notice than 48 hours, payment for the missed appointment is required. When less time is given it is difficult to fill the appointment, and those waiting miss the opportunity to receive services.
Let’s connect.
Book your free 15 minute consultation to see if I can help.