Perinatal and Postpartum OCD Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL

Many people experience unexpected anxiety, fear, or intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or after having a baby. These thoughts can feel alarming, upsetting, or completely out of character. For many parents, the distress is not just about the thoughts themselves, but about what they might mean.

If you are feeling frightened by your thoughts, worried about your reactions, or afraid to talk about what is going on in your mind, you are not alone. Perinatal and postpartum OCD is common, highly treatable, and often misunderstood.

Perinatal and postpartum OCD is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that begins during pregnancy or in the months following birth. It often centers on intense fears related to the baby’s safety, health, or wellbeing.

Parents with perinatal or postpartum OCD experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress. These thoughts do not reflect desire, intent, or character. Instead, they are a symptom of anxiety and OCD attaching to what matters most.

Perinatal and postpartum OCD can look different for each person, but common experiences may include:

• Intrusive thoughts or images related to the baby’s safety
• Repeated checking or monitoring behaviors
• Avoidance of certain situations, objects, or activities
• Seeking reassurance from others or internally
• Mental reviewing or analyzing thoughts to feel certain
• Feeling stuck in fear despite reassurance or support

Many parents describe feeling exhausted, disconnected, or constantly on edge, even while deeply loving and caring for their baby.

One of the most distressing aspects of perinatal and postpartum OCD is the fear of what intrusive thoughts might mean. It is important to know:

• Intrusive thoughts are not intentions
• Having a thought does not mean you will act on it
• These thoughts are unwanted and ego dystonic, meaning they go against your values
• OCD targets what matters most, which is why the thoughts feel so upsetting

Understanding this distinction can be an important first step toward relief.

Effective treatment for perinatal and postpartum OCD focuses on changing how you respond to intrusive thoughts and anxiety, rather than trying to eliminate them entirely.

I provide evidence based treatment, including Exposure and Response Prevention, to help clients:

• Reduce reassurance seeking, checking, and avoidance
• Learn to respond differently to intrusive thoughts
• Increase tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort
• Reconnect with personal values and parenting goals
• Experience relief without needing constant certainty

Treatment is collaborative, compassionate, and tailored to your specific experiences and stage of parenthood.

This support may be helpful if you:

• Feel afraid to talk about your thoughts
• Have been told your anxiety is normal but still feel stuck
• Spend significant time managing fear or uncertainty
• Feel disconnected from your baby due to anxiety
• Are doing everything you can but not finding relief

You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable to seek support.

Perinatal and postpartum OCD is treatable, and support is available. If you are interested in learning more about therapy or would like to schedule a consultation, you are welcome to reach out.

I also collaborate with doulas, medical providers, and other perinatal professionals and am happy to consult when questions arise.

You deserve support that is informed, compassionate, and grounded in evidence based care.