Postpartum Mental Health: Why You’re Not “Just Hormonal” — And How to Get Real Support

Postpartum Mental HealthParentingTherapy & SupportAnxiety & MoodNew Mothers
Written By Ashley McKenzie

By Ashley McKenzie, Registered Psychotherapist

The weeks and months after having a baby can feel like a blur — emotional, beautiful, exhausting, and unexpectedly overwhelming.

And while so many parents are told this is “supposed to be the happiest time,” the reality is that many struggle quietly thinking that they are the only ones feeling this way.

At Colours Psychotherapy, we want you to know this: nothing is “wrong” with you for finding this hard. You are adjusting, healing, and learning an entirely new version of yourself.

Psychotherapist providing guidance to a new mom during postpartum mental health counselling in a supportive environment.

In our postpartum sessions, your baby is always welcome to join you. If finding alternate care is difficult, you’re free to comfort, nurse, feed, or soothe your baby as needed. Therapy is designed to work around your needs as a mother, so you can receive support without adding any extra stress. We create a compassionate, flexible environment so you can receive postpartum mental health support without worrying about childcare or interruptions.

What’s to be expected in the postpartum period?

Many new parents experience:

  • Mood swings

  • Irritability

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Crying more easily

  • Difficulty sleeping (even when the baby is asleep)

  • Worrying about doing things “right”

  • Feeling “not like themselves”

These are often connected to:

  • hormonal shifts

  • sleep disruption

  • physical recovery

  • the emotional transition of becoming a parent

  • the loss of independence and routine

  • less time spent on personal self-care

Although these are common symptoms, that doesn’t mean they are easy to navigate. It’s a good idea to seek support even at this stage. We don’t have to tell ourselves, “everyone else seems to be getting by just fine.” Becoming (and being) a parent is hard, but that doesn’t mean we need to navigate it alone.

Good options include:

  1. Reaching out to a trusted friend or family member and sharing how you really feel

  2. Reaching out to a psychotherapist to help process your feelings and learn strategies to best support yourself

When is it something more?

Sometimes, the feelings don’t ease… they intensify.

You might be experiencing a postpartum mood or anxiety disorder (e.g., Postpartum depression, Postpartum anxiety) if you notice:

  • persistent sadness or emptiness

  • constant worry that feels uncontrollable

  • panic attacks

  • feeling detached from your baby

  • intrusive thoughts that scare you

  • feeling like you’re failing

  • overwhelming guilt or shame

  • difficulty eating or sleeping

  • thoughts of harming yourself (or the fear you might)

It’s important to seek professional support if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. These experiences are far more common than people realize—and they are treatable. But please don’t wait to get help, hoping it will eventually get better on its own. Even though some parents may start to feel better without ever seeking professional support, it often takes much longer than if you had a trusted team (friends, family, therapist, or doctor) by your side. The sooner you seek support, the sooner you can feel closer to your usual self.

Postpartum mother crying during therapy session while receiving emotional support from a perinatal therapist in Ontario.

Despite common misconceptions, it’s better to make space to cry—especially in a supportive environment where you can be truly heard and validated—rather than trying to pretend you’re okay.

Why therapy helps

Postpartum therapy provides a safe place to:

  • process birth experiences (essential for all mamas!)

  • understand emotional and hormonal changes

  • learn how thoughts affect mood (CBT)

  • calm the nervous system

  • reduce overwhelm and anxiety

  • rebuild confidence and identity

  • navigate relationship or parenting challenges

  • and more

You don’t have to hold all of this alone.

Therapist offering compassionate support to a mother experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression during counselling.

Simple ways to support your mental health today

Here are a few gentle practices you can start with:

1. Lower the bar

Not everything has to be done today. Not everything has to be done perfectly.

This might be hard for those of us ranking higher in perfectionistic tendencies. But try to pick your battles. For example, “It’s really important for me to keep my floors clean but I can try to be patient with the laundry not being put away”.

2. Ask for small, specific help

Instead of “It’s okay, I can take care of it,” say:
“Could you hold the baby while I shower?”
“Could you pick up formula on your way over?”

3. Let your feelings exist

You don’t need to be grateful and happy all the time. In fact, it isn’t realistic to feel this was 100% of the time. You are allowed to struggle, even deeply. The more you acknowledge your feelings, the quicker you can eventually move through them (hint: therapy can really help with walking along side you as you share your feelings).

4. Talk to someone who truly sees you

A therapist can help you sort through the noise, understand what’s happening, and feel grounded again. You’re not any less of a parent for needing support. It’s actually a great thing to take care of yourself. You matter too!

Mother attentively listening during a postpartum therapy session focused on reducing anxiety and building confidence

You deserve support — and you don’t have to wait until you’re at your breaking point.

If you’re in Ontario and would benefit from talking to someone, our team at Colours Psychotherapy is here to help.

Click the link in our website menu to book a free consultation or set up your first session with no wait times.

You don’t have to navigate postpartum alone.

Ashley McKenzie