Common Concerns · Pregnancy, Postpartum & Fertility
Perinatal and fertility therapy, for every step toward parenthood.
Trying to conceive, being pregnant and caring for a newborn are often described as joyful, and they can also bring anxiety, grief, exhaustion and feelings that are hard to say out loud. You're not failing, and you're not alone.
Our clinicians support people through fertility treatment and IVF, pregnancy, birth, the months after and pregnancy loss, and offer the psychological evaluations many fertility programs require.
Signs it might be time to talk to someone
Every journey is different. You might notice some of these:
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In your mood
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Constant worry about the baby or the pregnancy
- Irritability or rage that surprises you
- Feeling disconnected from your baby
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In your thoughts
- Frightening, intrusive thoughts
- Feeling like you're not a good enough parent
- Guilt for not feeling happier
- Racing worries that keep you awake
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In your life
- The emotional ups and downs of fertility treatment
- Strain with your partner
- Feeling isolated after the baby arrives
- Grief after a loss
If these feelings last more than two weeks, they may be more than the baby blues, and they are very treatable. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, call or text 988, or the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262, any time.
Concerns we help with
Postpartum depression
Low mood, hopelessness or numbness in the months after birth.
Perinatal anxiety and OCD
Worry and intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or after the baby arrives.
Fertility and IVF stress
The waiting, the hope and the heartbreak of trying to conceive.
Pregnancy and infant loss
Miscarriage, stillbirth and termination for medical reasons.
Difficult or traumatic birth
When birth didn't go as planned and still feels hard to think about.
Becoming a parent
Changes in identity, sleep, work and your relationship.
How we help
Your clinician will tailor support to you and to the stage you're in.
Perinatal-focused therapy
Support shaped around pregnancy, birth and the early months, at a pace that fits life with a baby.
CBT and ACT
Practical ways to ease worry and low mood, and to be kinder to yourself.
Grief support
Room to grieve miscarriage, stillbirth and other losses, without being rushed.
Couples support
Stay connected as partners through fertility treatment and new parenthood.
Fertility evaluations
Psychological evaluations for intended parents, egg donors and gestational carriers.
Medication, if it might help
Our psychiatric providers can talk with you about medication, including what to consider during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Clinicians who focus on pregnancy, postpartum and fertility
Each of these clinicians lists pregnancy, postpartum or fertility among their areas of focus. Look for someone whose languages and approach feel right to you.
See all clinicians who focus on pregnancy, postpartum and fertilityQuestions about perinatal and fertility therapy
Something else on your mind? Our FAQ covers much more, and our intake team is always happy to talk it through.
Is this just the baby blues?
The baby blues, with tearfulness and mood swings, are common in the first two weeks after birth and pass on their own. If low mood or anxiety lasts longer or feels overwhelming, it may be postpartum depression or anxiety, which is very treatable.
Can partners get support too?
Yes. Partners can experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after a baby arrives, too. We welcome individual and couples sessions.
Can I have sessions online with my baby nearby?
Yes. Online sessions let you join from home, and a baby in the room is always welcome. You'll need to be in a state where your clinician is licensed at the time of each session.
Do you offer psychological evaluations for IVF?
Yes. We offer the psychological evaluations many fertility clinics require for intended parents, egg donors and gestational carriers.
Can I have sessions in Mandarin or Cantonese?
Yes. Many of our clinicians speak Mandarin, and some speak Cantonese, Korean or Spanish. On Our Team you can filter clinicians by language.
Will my insurance cover perinatal therapy?
Often, yes. We work with Lyra Health, Spring Health and Modern Health employee benefits, and with Kaiser when you have an external referral. Some of our clinicians also take plans such as Aetna and Blue Cross through Headway. With any other plan, we send you a superbill each month to claim out-of-network benefits, which typically repay 50 to 80 percent, and FSA and HSA cards are accepted.
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
- Reach outSend us a short message, or call or text (650) 434-2563. We reply within one business day.
- A free 15-minute callOur care team listens, answers your questions about cost and insurance, and suggests clinicians who fit.
- Your first sessionMany people meet their clinician within one to two weeks. The first session is mostly about getting to know each other, at your pace.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, please call or text 988 any time, day or night. In an emergency, call 911.
