Being pregnant or having a new baby can feel big and exciting.
It can also feel tiring, scary, or overwhelming. One moment, you may feel happy. The next moment, you may feel sad or worried. Many feelings are normal.
But if hard feelings stay a long time or make daily life harder, extra support may help.
At Guillaume Counseling, moms and their circles may find care during pregnancy and after birth. We offer mental and emotional health support.
Here are a few quiet signs that it may be time to get in touch.
Signs You May Need Support
If you notice one or more of these things, you may want to talk to someone you trust or a mental health helper.
- You often feel sad and may cry a lot
- You worry constantly and feel scared or panicked by small things
- You find it hard to sleep or you sleep too much
- You have little interest in your baby or feel numb
- You feel angry or irritable more than usual
- You have trouble eating or you eat much more than before
- If you think about hurting yourself or your baby, get help immediately
- You feel very alone, even when people are near you
- You cannot do daily things you used to do, like bath, eat, or care for your child
- You worry about being a good mother and these worries keep you from enjoying the baby
- You feel guilty, ashamed or like a failure most of the time
You may have one sign or many signs. If you notice these signs, connecting with a mental health professional at Guillaume Counseling may help you feel supported and understood.
Why Asking for Help During Pregnancy or After Birth May Be Good
Asking for help is not a weakness. It can be a smart step. Help can teach you ways to cope. It can help you feel less alone. It may help your baby and your family too. A helper can listen and offer tools that may make life easier.
What Kind of Help Can You Get?
Support can be of various kinds. A counselor can discuss the situation with you and propose solutions that will suit you. These may include:
- Talk Therapy: This involves an encounter with a counselor. They can listen and help you find simple things to make you feel more comfortable.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: It may help in the transformation of anxious or gloomy thoughts into improved and gentler thoughts.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: It can serve to highlight small, actionable strategies to navigate difficulties.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT may serve to impart strong emotion and stress skills.
- Play and Art Therapy: It may be used in cases where the family or young children need to express themselves safely.
- Couples or Family Therapy: It may assist couples and other family members to know how to support one another.
- Religious Counseling: This may be a suitable option as long as you desire assistance with spiritual or religious beliefs.
Guillaume Counseling may use one or a mix of these approaches. Support is tailored to each person. No single method works for everyone.
How to Start
Starting can feel hard, but small steps can help.
You might:
- Talk with a trusted friend or family member
- Speak with your doctor or midwife
- Call a counselor or clinic
- Ask questions about what support looks like
It is okay to try more than one counselor until you find someone who feels like a good fit.
During your first visit at Guillaume Counseling, our counselor may ask about your sleep, mood, birth experience, and support at home. Together, you may create a simple plan. This plan can change as your needs change.
What to Expect from Counseling?
Counseling can be relatively peaceful.
The counselor may:
- Listen without judgment
- Ask gentle questions
- Teach coping skills
- Offer tools for stress and anxiety
- Include your partner or family if helpful
Progress can take time. Guillaume Counseling does not guarantee results, but many people find that regular support may lead to minor, meaningful improvements.
When It Is Urgent
Seek help immediately if you feel unsafe or might hurt yourself or your baby. You can:
- Call emergency services
- Contact a crisis line
- Call your doctor
- Tell someone you trust
- Go to a safe place
Quick help can protect you and your baby.
Small Steps You Can Try at Home
These steps can help while you find more support:
- Tell one person how you feel.
- Try to rest when the baby sleeps.
- Eat regular, small meals.
- Take short walks when you can. Fresh air may help.
- Ask for help with chores or baby care.
- Be gentle with yourself. You are learning.
- Write one small thing you did right each day.
How Guillaume Counseling Can Help
Guillaume Counseling focuses on maternal mental health. We may offer care for people who are pregnant or who have given birth in the last year. We can offer individual, couple and family support.
Our approach may combine many therapies to meet your needs. We may include play and art therapy for families and children. We may also offer faith-based options. Our goal can be to support your values and help you feel more able to cope.
Final Words
You do not have to do this alone. If something feels off, trust your feelings. Asking for help can show you care about you and your baby.
Support can be gentle, respectful and made to fit your needs.
If you choose, Guillaume Counseling can be a place to begin. Contact us, we can listen and help you find steps that may work for you.
FAQs
Is seeking help only for mothers who are struggling a lot?
No. Support may be helpful for any parent. People look for support before a crisis arises, not only during emergencies.
How soon should I seek help after giving birth?
You may reach out anytime you feel worried, sad, or overwhelmed. Seek help right away if feelings are intense or you’re not safe.
Disclaimer: We are Healers. We work with people from all walks of life. We are not politicians, activists, evangelists, or preachers. We are Healers. We strive to hire employees of diverse backgrounds to serve a community who is diverse socially, politically, economically, religiously, racial, ethnically, and culturally.
