Pregnancy & Postpartum
We support you through pregnancy and postpartum.
At Storywell Counseling, we provide support that honors both the beauty and the difficulty of this season.
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You don’t have to pretend motherhood is magical when you’re drowning. You can admit the thoughts and feelings you’re afraid to say anywhere else…that you regret having a baby, that you’re not bonding with your child, that you have scary intrusive thoughts, or that you miss your old life desperately. We’ve heard it all, and nothing you’re experiencing makes you a bad parent. This is a judgment-free space where honesty is welcomed.
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We help you understand what’s going on in your brain and body, how hormonal changes affect mood, why sleep deprivation impacts everything, what intrusive thoughts are and why they happen, and how your symptoms are a treatable medical condition, not a personal failure. When you understand what’s going on, it becomes less frightening.
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We teach you practical tools for the moments when anxiety spikes, depression weighs you down, or panic takes over: grounding techniques you can use while holding your baby, breathing exercises that calm your nervous system, ways to interrupt catastrophic thinking, strategies for managing intrusive thoughts, and self-compassion practices for guilt and shame. These aren’t just skills for therapy, they’re tools you’ll use for life as a parent.
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If you had a traumatic birth, NICU experience, or pregnancy loss, we help you process these experiences so they don’t continue to haunt you. We also address relationship strain with your partner, help you navigate the identity shift of becoming a parent, and support you in rebuilding your sense of self while embracing this new role.
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We understand you’re running on minimal sleep with unpredictable infant schedules. We offer telehealth appointments during naptime, understand if you need to reschedule, keep sessions productive even if you’re holding your baby, and work efficiently because your time and energy are limited. Therapy for new or expecting parents looks different and that’s okay.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Counseling
Pregnancy and postpartum counseling addresses the unique mental health challenges that can arise during conception, pregnancy, birth, and the first year (or more) after having a baby. This specialized therapy recognizes that perinatal mental health issues are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Our Therapists
Chelsea brings authenticity, directness, and evidence-based expertise to her work with clients facing trauma, anxiety, and significant life transitions. With specialized training in EMDR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), she creates a safe space for genuine transformation and lasting healing.
Edward brings warmth, compassion, and evidence-based expertise to his work with clients facing grief, infertility, relationship challenges, and life transitions. With training in Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, the Gottman Method, and faith-based approaches, he creates a safe space where you feel truly heard, understood, and supported.
We understand the importance of finding a therapist who is a good fit for you.
Reach out to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
What Makes Our Trauma Therapy Different
We understand the full complexity of perinatal mental health. This isn’t just about baby blues or feeling a little down. We recognize the full range of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and know how to treat them effectively.
We create a judgment-free zone. You can tell us about your scary intrusive thoughts, your ambivalent feelings about parenthood, your frustration with your baby, or your regrets. We won’t be shocked or tell you you’re a bad parent. These thoughts and feelings are more common than you think, and sharing them is the first step toward feeling better.
We address the parts no one talks about. The rage. The intrusive thoughts. The difficulty bonding. The resentment toward your partner. The grief for your old life. The feeling that you’ve made a terrible mistake. These are real experiences that deserve real support.
We recognize that partners struggle too. Postpartum mental health issues don’t just affect birthing parents. Partners can experience depression, anxiety, and overwhelm too. We provide support for all parents.
We help you beyond the immediate crisis. Our goal isn’t just to help you survive, it’s to help you enjoy parenthood and find yourself again within this new identity.
We help you establish healthy boundaries that protect your wellbeing. The arrival of a child often changes relationship dynamics and what worked before may not work now. We’ll support you in communicating your new needs and setting boundaries that honor both your role as a parent and your own mental health.
Expert Mental Health Therapy in Westerville, Ohio and Online
Whether you prefer to meet in person or online, our goal is the same: to create a space where you feel safe, comfortable, and supported.
In-Person
You’ll find cozy seating, warm lighting, and thoughtful touches to help you feel at ease from the moment you walk in.
Email: info@storywellcounseling.com
Phone: (614) 300-7043
Address: 190 S. State St. Suite A, Westerville, OH 43081
Parking & Accessibility
Ample free parking is available on site.
Easily accessible with no stairs, ensuring a comfortable visit for all clients.
Telehealth
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual sessions for clients who prefer the convenience and privacy of meeting from home. Whether you’re juggling a busy schedule or simply feel more comfortable in your own space, telehealth makes it easy to connect, heal, and grow—no matter where you are.
Details
Platform: Therapy Notes
Privacy & Security: All virtual sessions are conducted using a secure, HIPAA—compliant platform to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.
Technology Requirements: A stable internet connection, a quiet space, and a device with a camera and microphone.
How it Works
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Step 1: Connect With Us
Choose the therapist whose specialties resonate with what you’re going through, or reach out for a free 15 minute consultation call and we’ll help you find the right fit. 614-300-7043
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Step 2: Share Your Story
In your first session, we’ll take time to understand what brings you here, what you’re hoping for, and what matters most to you. This is your space to be heard and to ask any questions you have about therapy and how we work together.
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Step 3: Move Forward Together
From there, we walk alongside you using approaches tailored to your unique needs and goals. Therapy is a collaboration, you bring your story and your courage, and we bring expertise, compassion, and tools to help you find your way forward.
Ready to hit the ground running?
Frequently Asked Questions about Pregnancy & Postpartum
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out for a free 15-minute consultation.
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Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers and typically begin 2-3 days after birth, lasting no more than two weeks. Symptoms include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, but you can still care for yourself and your baby. Postpartum depression is more intense and persistent, lasting beyond two weeks and often starting 1-3 weeks after delivery (though it can occur anytime in the first year). PPD symptoms include deep sadness, hopelessness, difficulty bonding with baby, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, and inability to function. Therapy can support you through both the baby blues and PPD.
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Seek help if you’re experiencing: sadness, hopelessness, or crying spells that last more than two weeks after giving birth, difficulty bonding with your baby, thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, panic attacks or severe anxiety, inability to sleep even when baby sleeps, loss of appetite or overeating, or feeling like you can’t take care of yourself or your baby. You can also reach out if you’re simply not feeling like yourself or if pregnancy/postpartum is more difficult than you expected. Early intervention leads to faster recovery.
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Yes, postpartum anxiety is very common and affects approximately 1 in 5 new mothers, similar rates to postpartum depression. Many women experience anxiety without depression. Symptoms include excessive worry about your baby’s health or safety, racing thoughts, trouble sleeping even when exhausted, physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or dizziness, and intrusive, scary thoughts. Postpartum anxiety is highly treatable through therapy, and sometimes medication, just like postpartum depression.
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Yes, approximately 9% of fathers experience postpartum depression, with another 12% reporting both partners struggling with it. Partners may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, irritable, or anxious after a new baby arrives. When one or both partners have mood changes, it can affect the entire family including older siblings. Therapy can help partners navigate this transition together, improve communication, and ensure everyone gets the support they need.
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Pregnancy and postpartum therapy provides support for: managing anxiety about childbirth or your baby’s health, coping with pregnancy or delivery complications, processing birth trauma, developing strategies for postpartum depression and anxiety, grieving pregnancy loss or fertility struggles, adjusting to the identity changes of becoming a parent, and strengthening your relationship with your partner during this transition. Therapy can be preventive (if you have a history of depression or anxiety) or responsive to current struggles.