Birth Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles and California
The experience of bringing a child into the world rarely matches the pictures in the magazines. When a delivery involves medical emergencies, a loss of agency, or unexpected complications, the emotional aftermath can feel heavy and isolating. You might feel like you are holding it all together alone through each day while everyone else expects you to be in a state of bliss. It is okay to admit that your birth experience was frightening or that you are grieving a future you thought you would have.
​
My practice provides a nonjudgmental and welcoming space where we can look at these experiences together. You don't have to have it all figured out right now to start the process of feeling like yourself again.
Whether you are here in Valley Village or connecting with me through telehealth from anywhere in California, we focus on moving through the shock and reconnecting with your sense of self.
Processing the impact of birth trauma
Birth trauma often stays in the body long after the physical wounds have healed. You might find yourself startled by small things or constantly replaying the moments when things went wrong. Many parents of special needs children often seek support to help them process the changes in their lives and how they compare to their expectations.
These responses are natural ways your brain tries to make sense of a high-stress event. Through clinical sophistication and specialized training in perinatal mental health, I help parents find a path through the flashbacks and the heavy weight of "what if."
​
We work together to address the specific maternal mental health challenges that arise when a birth doesn't go as planned. This isn't about moving on or forgetting what happened. It is about integrating the experience so it no longer controls your daily life or your relationship with your child. We use evidence-based approaches like EMDR to help your brain process the most difficult memories so they lose their painful edge.
Support for you and your family
Maternal mental health doesn't exist in a vacuum. A difficult birth affects the way you show up as a partner and a parent. Sometimes the trauma is compounded by the realities of special needs parenting or navigating a long NICU stay.
These complex life transitions require a level of support that understands the specific medical and emotional intersections of the postpartum period.
​
I provide a fluid and supportive environment where we can talk about the anger, the guilt, and the grief that often follow a traumatic delivery. By addressing these feelings directly, we make sure you have the tools to show up for your family without feeling like you are constantly running on empty. You deserve a space where your story is heard and your pain is validated without any pressure to "stay positive."
Therapy to overcome birth trauma
Up to 45% of birthing mothers report their experience as traumatic, with an estimated 4-6% developing postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
​
If you've been questioning if your birth experience was traumatic, you're not alone. Millions of mothers experience birth trauma every year, and therapy can help you process, heal, and move forward in your life as a parent.
Frequently asked questions about birth trauma
What if my birth wasn't "traumatic" enough for therapy? Trauma is defined by your internal experience of the event, not by a medical checklist. If the birth of your child left you feeling fearful, helpless, or deeply distressed, those feelings are valid. Many parents I see in Valley Village felt like they shouldn't complain because their baby is healthy, but your emotional health matters just as much as the physical outcome.
How does birth trauma therapy work via telehealth? California residents can access the same level of care and clinical sophistication through our secure video platform as they would in my Valley Village office. We use techniques designed to help you stay grounded while we work through the memories of your delivery. It allows you to receive specialized support from the safety and comfort of your own home, which is often easier when you are managing a new baby.
Can therapy help if my birth happened years ago?
The brain doesn't have a timeline for when it decides to process a difficult event. Some parents find that their symptoms don't surface until they consider having another child or until their child reaches a certain milestone. It is never too late to find a path through the lingering effects of a traumatic birth and reclaim your peace of mind.
