Therapy for Postpartum Anxiety in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and throughout Washington State

This isn’t what you expected to feel like as a new mom

Anxiety is the #1 reason moms come to therapy, period. The research tells us that at least 10% of women experience the symptoms of postpartum anxiety, but therapists like me believe the number is actually higher.

Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is often missed by well-meaning medical providers. Why? It’s complicated, and I’m happy to share. I believe that knowledge is power.

For one thing, there is no universally accepted screening tool like there is for postpartum depression (PPD). Your OBGYN or midwife almost always screens you for PPD at your 6-week postpartum check-up, but often does not ask questions about anxiety unless your screening indicates you are also experiencing depression.

Another reason that postpartum anxiety is missed is that it doesn’t always come on right away. Many women don’t experience PPA until six-months postpartum (or later!). By this time, most new mothers are no longer seeing a medical provider for regular care.

And finally, PPA is missed because it is so different for every woman. While some women will experience anxiety as excessive worry, it shows up in unexpected ways for many mothers. You may be feeling restless and unable to relax, be thinking about worst-case-scenario situations, experience intrusive thoughts, or be irritable and angry about things that normally wouldn’t bother you. You may be isolating to avoid situations that make you feel anxious or be withdrawing from your loved ones.

I want you to know that it isn’t your fault. You’re not alone. You can feel good again with support.

As a therapist for postpartum anxiety, I start with holding incredible hope for your wellbeing. I believe that with support, you will feel better. My goal is to help you regain a sense of normalcy and for you to start feeling like yourself again. When you start working with me, you are met with empathy and compassion.

One of the hardest parts of postpartum anxiety is that it can make you feel like your mind and body are being hijacked by distressing, uncomfortable, and scary thoughts and emotions that make it difficult to enjoy mother or to have the postpartum experience you imagined. My goal as your therapist is to get you back in the driver’s seat of your emotions so that you have control again.

My approach to supporting you with overcoming postpartum anxiety includes:

  1. Providing education about perinatal mood disorders (PMADs), including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum OCD. I believe that you deserve to know exactly what you’re experiencing + to know that you’re not alone. Education is an important part of reducing the stigma around PMADs that cause many new mothers to feel shame or guilt about this experience.

  2. Exploring your personal experience with postpartum anxiety, since it is different for everyone. Together we will discuss every part of your experience, from your emotions to your physical body to your support network. I will help you recognize and raise awareness of your needs.

  3. Together we will develop and learn coping habits, tools, and strategies that help you overcome your anxious distress. I focus on simple solutions and active problem solving approaches that start working quickly and without a big time commitment outside of therapy. My training in mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) inform the types of skills we learn together.

  4. If you are interested in exploring the option of medication to help with your symptoms, I can support you in finding a medical provider who can help. I am willing to work with that medical provider to best support you.

  5. We will work together to enhance your support network. Having a village you can lean on is important. Your village can include myself, other medical or holistic professionals, your family and friends, new friends, childcare providers and more.

It’s important for you to know that I have my own lived experience with anxiety. I have been through it, and I understand. I will never speak to the details of my experience in therapy unless you ask me to, because I understand that this is not always helpful. However, if you ask me, I am open to sharing. Many women find it helpful to know that I get it, even without knowing the details.

I understand how brave you are for admitting you need help, and I’m here to provide it. Supporting women who are going through this is my joy. I want to help you feel better. Connect with me today so we can get started.

My Approach to Therapy for Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum Anxiety FAQs

  • Because postpartum anxiety (PPA) shows up differently for every woman, it can be difficult to know if it’s impacting you.

    Rule of thumb: if you think you are experiencing PPA, you probably are.

    Here are the common signs and symptoms of PPA:

    • constant worry

    • feeling like something bad is going to happen

    • racing thoughts

    • changes to your sleep or rest patterns

    • changes to your appetite

    • inability to sit still

    • physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, or upset stomach

    As you can see, this lists general and doesn’t capture the nuances of your personal experience. When you start working with me, we will discuss the specifics of what’s happening for you. Together we can decide if postpartum anxiety is impacting you.

  • This is not your fault. Nothing that you did or didn’t do caused this. You are not alone, and you will feel better with support and care.

    We don’t have a clear answer for why one woman experiences postpartum anxiety (PPA) or postpartum depression (PPD) while another does not. But we can identify risk factors that make I more likely for a woman to experience PPA or PPD. These include:

    • experiencing depression or anxiety during or before pregnancy

    • medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid issues

    • a history of PMS

    • a history of sexual trauma or abuse

    • a family history of postpartum mood disorders

    • pregnancy loss or infant loss

    • Being a parent to multiples

    • Having a baby in the NICU

    • Relationship issues

    • Financial struggles

    • Being a single mother

    • Not having a support network

    • Challenges with breastfeedig

  • Yes, many women experience both postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression at the same time.

    These two experiences can feed into each other.

    If this sounds like you, I’m here to support you. I can help you learn more about where your anxiety and depression symptoms come from, how they’re connected, and how you can feel better. 

YOUR MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH THERAPIST in seattle, WA and bainbridge island, WA

First, I’m so glad you’re here. I know how hard it is to admit that you’re struggling emotionally. The fact that you’re here shows me that you’re ready to commit to your wellbeing.

You’re not alone, and I’m here to help.

My name is Dr. Julie Franks, and I go by Dr. Julie. I’m an experienced therapist for women, a social work educator, and a toddler mom. Even though I have a pretty snazzy education, I consider my experience as a mother to be my most important credential. Even though I had supported women and families for nearly a decade before having my son, I had to go through it to truly get it.

I specialize in maternal mental health and exclusively serve women who are facing infertility, pregnancy loss, or who are pregnant, postpartum, and in the early years of motherhood. Most of the women who work with me have children who are elementary school aged or younger.

Hi! I’m Dr. Julie.

I’m here to help you navigate the highs, the lows, and the unexpected moments in between.

Ready to get started?

Even though postpartum anxiety is common, many women don’t get the emotional support they need. I understand how isolating, exhausting, and invisible it can be. You don’t have to do this alone; we can do it together.