Perinatal Mental Health Support in White Bear Lake, MN
You don't have to feel this way. You deserve support during one of the most important seasons of your life.
Pregnancy and early parenthood are often described as joyful times, but for many people, they're also filled with fear, exhaustion, grief, and emotions that don't match what they expected to feel. If you're struggling during pregnancy or after the birth of your baby, something is wrong with the situation, not with you.
At White Bear Psychological Services, we provide compassionate, specialized support for people navigating the emotional challenges of the perinatal period—from pregnancy through the first year postpartum. Whether you're feeling anxious, depressed, disconnected, or just not like yourself, you don't have to go through it alone. We're here to help you find your footing.
What Is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of people during pregnancy and in the months following birth. It's more than "baby blues." Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth—and they are highly treatable with the right support.
You may be experiencing a PMAD if you are:
Feeling persistently sad, hopeless, or empty
Experiencing intense anxiety, panic, or intrusive thoughts
Having difficulty bonding with your baby
Feeling irritable, rageful, or unlike yourself
Struggling with guilt or shame about how you're feeling
Withdrawing from your partner, family, or friends
Having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Feeling detached from reality or experiencing frightening thoughts you don't understand
These experiences are not your fault. They are not a reflection of what kind of parent you are. They are signs that your brain and body need support, and help is available.
This Isn't Just the "Baby Blues"
The baby blues, which include tearfulness, mood swings, and emotional sensitivity in the first one to two weeks after birth, are common and typically resolve on their own. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are different. They can begin during pregnancy or anytime in the first year postpartum, and they don't go away without care.
If your symptoms have lasted more than two weeks, feel overwhelming, or are getting in the way of caring for yourself or your baby, it's time to reach out. You don't need to wait until things get worse.
You Are Not Alone And You Are Not to Blame
One in five people experiences a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. These conditions affect people of all backgrounds, regardless of whether this is your first baby or your fourth. They are not caused by something you did or didn't do. They are not a character flaw. And they don't mean you don't love your baby.
What they do mean is that you need, and deserve, support. Therapy can make a profound difference in how you feel and how you show up for yourself and your family.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better
You've been carrying a lot. Let us help you put some of it down. If you're ready to start feeling more like yourself again, we're here and we're ready to support you.
What to Expect in Perinatal Mental Health Therapy
We know that reaching out when you're already exhausted and overwhelmed takes courage. We want to make it as easy as possible. When you work with us, you'll be met with warmth, without judgment, and at your own pace.
We'll help you understand what's happening and why, develop practical strategies for managing difficult emotions, and work toward feeling more connected—to yourself, to your baby, and to the people around you.
We support people through a wide range of perinatal experiences, including postpartum depression and anxiety, prenatal mood disorders, birth trauma, pregnancy or infant loss, adjustment to new parenthood, and the identity shifts that come with becoming a parent.