Postpartum OCD Therapy in Portland, OR
Providing Therapy in VA & OR
Around 3-5 % of Mothers Experience OCD Symptoms
From Constant Worry To Living With Confidence.
You want to be able to sleep, enjoy motherhood and get help. But constant worries and scary thoughts keep popping up in your mind. What do they mean? Is something bad going to happen? Is something bad going to happen to the baby?
Lots of moms suffer in silence because of fear of being judged, or called “a bad mom” or “crazy”. But none of that is further from the truth. You care about your baby, your family and want nothing bad to happen.
The first step towards your healing is reaching out for professional help. I can help with that.
I help moms let go of constant worries and feel confident. In therapy, we will learn about Intrusive Thoughts: what they are, what they mean, why they happen and how to handle them. We will learn that they are not dangerous.
Maternal OCD is often misunderstood and under-diagnosed and can leave mothers suffering in silence and alone.
OCD is treatable and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective treatment for OCD. The first step is to schedule a phone call so that we can get you on your healing journey. Reach out!
Get Started with a 15-Minute Consultation
If you are ready to take the 1st step towards a healthier and happier life, I invite you to contact me at geraldine@kuphalMFT.com to book a 15-minute consultation.
With help, you can get well.
About Perinatal OCD Therapy in Portland, OR
I am a Licensed Mental Health Therapist with over 14+ years of experience supporting individuals across the lifespan. I’m also a Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, that means that I focus in Pregnancy and Postpartum issues.
I have worked in shelters, crisis lines, community agencies, preschools, etc. Later on I established my own private practice, where I now specialize in Perinatal Mental Health. Perinatal OCD is one of the most often misunderstood diagnosis. It can leave mothers feeling judged and suffering in silence. I am here to help you!
How I’m going to help you:
We are going to learn about Intrusive Thoughts: what they are and what they are not and what to do with them
Find a safe space where to talk about your worries. I’ll bring the research, you bring your experiences
Find healthy ways to cope with stress
Get the rest, sleep and find the support that you need
Connect with your baby and actually enjoy motherhood
Feel confident about yourself and your parenting
Get out of the house and do the things you enjoy
Be better able to take care if yourself. You are important too
Prioritize so that your To-Do List feels manageable
Set realistic expectations for yourself and your family
Therapy that comes to you
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Support that fits your life
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Therapy that comes to you - Support that fits your life -
FAQ About Perinatal OCD
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Perinatal OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is the type of O.C.D. that appears during Pregnancy and Postpartum. It involves Intrusive Thoughts about potential risks or harm that can come to baby and that can consume moms in Portland, OR with anxiety and fear.
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Many new moms in experience Intrusive Thoughts or worries about their baby’s safety, especially during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. If you notice these thoughts taking up a lot of your time or causing excessive anxiety, it doesn’t mean you’re a “bad mom”. Perinatal OCD is a common and treatable condition that can affect parents. Seeking support from a Perinatal Therapist in Portland can help you manage these thoughts safely, reduce your levels of anxiety, and regain a sense of calm and confidence about yourself. You’re not alone, and these experiences are treatable.
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Intrusive Thoughts:
Thoughts or Disturbing Images related to the safety or wellbeing of baby, such as hurting the baby, dropping the baby, suffocation, etc.
Obsessive worries about cleanliness and safety (e.g., excessive cleaning of surfaces, bottles, floors, etc.)
Unwanted sexual thoughts or violent images involving the baby or family members
Compulsive Behaviors:
Checking behaviors (e.g., repeatedly checking of baby, excessive internet searches and safety precautions)
Constantly washing hands or disinfecting items to avoid contamination
Repetitive rituals (e.g., arranging items in a specific way to feel "safe")
Avoidance behaviors (e.g., avoiding being alone at home with the baby, avoiding certain places)
Sometimes, moms can experiences only Intrusive Thoughts without the Compulsions.
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The good news is that OCD symptoms can rapidly improve with Therapy in Portland.
Therapy Can Help:
Understand Intrusive Thoughts. What they are, where they come from and what they mean. More importantly, what they don’t mean and what to do with them.
Being able to talk about them freely without feeling judged can be healing in itself and can feel like a huge relief.
Find healthy alternative ways to cope with stress. We’ll help you find healthy spaces in your life to relax, recharge and reconnect with yourself and cope with life stressors.
Emotional Support: have a safe place where to talk about this major life transition you are going through. It’s important to feel heard, cared and understood in your concerns as a mother and as a woman.
You are not alone and you are not to blame.
Build your self-confidence, feel empowered as a mom in this new role. Postpartum is a phase of a steep learning curve. You are having to learn quickly many many things about your little one, while also being sleep deprived. This can undermine your self esteem and self confidence. In therapy, I will help you recognize the good mom that you already are and find your identity as a new mom.
Connect with your baby and better enjoy motherhood.
Connect with your partner, improve communication and mutual support and understanding.
Prioritize sleep and in self-care. Is not selfish, is necessary to take care of yourself.
If you're experiencing overwhelming fears or intrusive thoughts, please know: it’s not your fault. These symptoms are common — and treatable.
Therapy can offer you relief, clarity, and a path back to yourself.