Postpartum OCD and Intrusive Thoughts Therapy in Los Angeles and California
You are having thoughts that terrify you. Unwanted, disturbing mental images about your baby. Scenarios your brain keeps playing that feel completely at odds with who you are as a person and as a mother. And you are keeping them secret — from your partner, from your doctor, maybe even from yourself — because you are afraid of what they mean about you.
Here is what I want you to know before anything else: these thoughts do not mean you are dangerous. They do not mean you want to harm your baby. They are a recognizable, clinically documented symptom of postpartum OCD, and the very fact that they distress you is evidence of how much you love your child.
You do not have to carry this alone, and you do not have to keep pretending they aren't happening.
What postpartum OCD actually is
Postpartum OCD involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts — often violent, sexual, or harm-related — that come along with intense distress and sometimes compulsive behaviors designed to manage the fear those thoughts create. Common compulsions include checking on the baby repeatedly, avoiding certain objects (knives, stairs, bathtubs), seeking constant reassurance from your partner, and mentally reviewing your thoughts to "make sure" you would never act on them.
The irony is that the more you try to neutralize these thoughts, the more powerful they become. That is the OCD cycle: the thought causes anxiety, you perform a compulsion to relieve the anxiety, and the relief is temporary — reinforcing the idea that the thought was dangerous in the first place.
Postpartum OCD is more common than most people realize, affecting an estimated 3–5% of new mothers. It is not the same as postpartum psychosis — people with postpartum OCD are distressed by their thoughts and would never act on them. If you are reading this page and recognizing yourself in these descriptions, you are very likely experiencing OCD, not a warning sign of danger. This often exists alongside broader postpartum anxiety, and the two conditions respond well to overlapping treatment approaches.
Breaking the silence is the hardest part
One of the most painful aspects of postpartum OCD is the secrecy. Many mothers spend months — sometimes years — hiding these thoughts because they are terrified that disclosing them will result in someone calling child protective services or questioning their fitness as a parent. That fear keeps them suffering alone when effective treatment is available.
Therapists who specialize in perinatal mental health understand the critical difference between intrusive thoughts and intent. I have supported many mothers through exactly what you are describing. The shame and secrecy are not inevitable parts of this experience — they are symptoms of a condition that responds well to the right kind of support. California residents can access this care via telehealth throughout the state, without needing to leave home or explain their absence to anyone.
Frequently asked questions about postpartum OCD therapy
Are my intrusive thoughts a sign that I might hurt my baby?
No. People who experience postpartum OCD are distressed and horrified by their intrusive thoughts — which is fundamentally different from someone who poses a genuine risk. The distress you feel is actually evidence of the opposite. Individuals who are a genuine danger to their children are not tormented by the idea of harm — they don't feel the crushing guilt and fear that you do. If you are worried enough to be reading this page, that worry itself tells me something important about who you are.
What is the difference between postpartum OCD and postpartum psychosis?
This distinction is important and frequently misunderstood. Postpartum psychosis involves a break from reality — hallucinations, delusions, and confusion about what is real. It is rare and constitutes a medical emergency. Postpartum OCD, by contrast, involves intrusive thoughts that the person knows are wrong or irrational. The distress, the self-awareness, and the horror you feel about the thoughts are all signs that you are experiencing OCD, not psychosis.
Will you have to report me to anyone if I tell you about my intrusive thoughts?
Confidentiality applies to our sessions, and intrusive thoughts are not grounds for mandatory reporting. As a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health, I understand the difference between a mother with OCD and a safety concern — and I approach these disclosures with the clinical clarity and compassion they deserve. You deserve to be able to tell the truth without fear.
Do I have to come in person, or can I do this virtually?
Virtual sessions are available to anyone in California, and for many mothers dealing with postpartum OCD, telehealth is actually preferable — it allows you to do this work from a space where you feel safe and grounded. In-person sessions are available at my Studio City office for those in the Los Angeles area.
This work isn’t just about coping, it’s about change.
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