Postpartum Depression Counseling in Denver: Healing and Feeling Whole Again
Becoming a mother is often described as one of life’s most beautiful and rewarding experiences. If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve spent your pregnancy picturing nothing but blissful moments of joy and connection, only to feel blindsided by the crushing weight of low mood, no energy and feelings of sadness after giving birth. Or maybe the depression started to creep in during your pregnancy, and you hoped it would get better once the baby was here - and instead, it’s only gotten worse. If you’ve welcomed a new baby within the last year and are experiencing more feelings of sadness, loneliness or depression than joy, you’re not alone. Many new mothers in Denver and across Colorado experience postpartum depression (PPD). While society often paints a picture of motherhood as purely joyful, the reality is that adjusting to life with a newborn can bring significant emotional challenges. Postpartum depression can happen to anyone - it doesn’t discriminate, and it’s not your fault that you feel like this.
If you’re struggling with overwhelming sadness, irritability, or feelings of hopelessness, you may be experiencing more than just the “baby blues.” Postpartum depression counseling in Denver can help you understand what you’re going through, develop coping tools, and begin to heal. With support, it is possible to feel like yourself again - and even to thrive in your role as a mother. In this post, we’ll explore what postpartum depression really is, how to cope, and how postpartum depression therapy can help you find hope and healing.
What is Postpartum Depression?
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects mothers during the postpartum period, or within 1 year after giving birth. While it’s common for new moms to feel tired, emotional, or stressed, postpartum depression goes beyond the typical adjustments of early motherhood. PPD can interfere with your ability to function day-to-day and can make bonding with your baby feel incredibly difficult. This can trigger a cycle of shame, self-doubt and negative thinking about your abilities as a mother.
Unlike the brief and relatively mild “baby blues,” postpartum depression is more intense and long-lasting. It can develop anytime within the first year after giving birth. The symptoms may vary from person to person, but PPD often includes persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you’re a “bad mom.” It means you’re a human being adapting to the biological, hormonal, relational and emotional demands of parenting - and you deserve compassionate care and treatment. Working with a postpartum depression therapist in Denver can help you find relief and reconnect with yourself.
Postpartum Depression Signs and Symptoms
Postpartum depression can look different for every mother. Some signs may be subtle, while others feel overwhelming. Common symptoms include:
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Struggling to bond or feel connected to your baby
Irritability, anger, mood swings or feelings of rage
Withdrawing from loved ones or avoiding social interaction
Changes in appetite or sleep (beyond what’s typical with a newborn)
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Intense guilt or feelings of worthlessness
Feeling totally overwhelmed, like you can’t cope
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Anxiety or panic attacks (postpartum anxiety and depression often occur together)
Thoughts of harming yourself or feeling like your family would be better off without you
Feeling overall unlike yourself
It’s important to note that postpartum depression does not look the same for everyone. Some mothers may feel numb and detached, while others feel consumed by worry or rage. If you identify with any of these symptoms, reaching out to a postpartum depression counselor in Denver can provide you with the support and guidance you need.
Causes of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression doesn’t usually have a single cause - it often develops as the result of multiple factors. Two major contributors to the development of postpartum depression are::
Hormonal shifts: After giving birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly, which can cause serious changes to your mood.
Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation is shown to be one of the greatest predictors of postpartum mental health conditions. Finding ways to get sleep early on is incredibly important for preventing postpartum depression - especially for women who may have experienced depression during pregnancy or their pre-baby lives.
Some other common factors that may contribute to postpartum depression are:
Identity changes: Becoming a mother may bring a shift in identity, career, or relationships that feels overwhelming.
History of prior mental health struggles: Women with a history of depression, anxiety, or trauma may be more vulnerable to PPD.
Lack of support: Feeling isolated or unsupported in your role as a parent can contribute to postpartum depression.
Stressful life circumstances: Financial challenges, relationship difficulties, recent losses or health issues can all increase risk.
Understanding the root causes of your PPD is an important part of healing. However, it’s important to recognize that some of these factors may be within your control, while some just aren’t. A postpartum depression therapist in Denver can help you explore what might be contributing to your experience, and come up with a plan together for recovery.
Is it Postpartum Depression or the Baby Blues?
It’s common to hear about the “baby blues,” which affect up to 80% of new mothers. The baby blues often include mood swings, crying spells, fatigue and feelings of overwhelm, but they typically don’t involve major changes in your functioning, self esteem or personality. The baby blues result from the hormonal fluctuations after birth and acute sleep deprivation, and last between 2 days and 2 weeks after giving birth. Usually, symptoms peak around 3-5 days after delivery.
Postpartum depression, on the other hand, is more severe and lasts longer. If your symptoms persist any longer than two weeks, interfere with your ability to function, or feel unmanageable, you’re likely experiencing PPD rather than the baby blues.
If you’re unsure which you’re experiencing, talking to a postpartum depression counselor in Denver can help provide clarity and a plan for addressing your feelings. Help is available, and you don’t have to figure this out all on your own.
Coping with Postpartum Depression
While postpartum depression can feel isolating, there are ways to start feeling like yourself again. Here are a few strategies to help you cope with postpartum depression:
Use your support system: Reach out to loved ones or a trusted friend to share how you’re feeling. The more isolated you feel, the more power the depression will hold over you.
Prioritize rest when possible: Sleep may feel impossible with a newborn, but every little bit makes a difference. Talk to your partner, family or friends to create a plan so that you can get rest. Hiring a night nurse (even for a night or two a week) is another option that can help you prioritize sleep in the early days.
Nourish your body: Eating balanced meals and staying hydrated can support your physical and emotional well-being.
Move your body: Gentle walks, stretching, or postpartum-safe exercise can help lift your mood.
Challenge your inner critic: Our strong, critical inner voice can start to take control in the moments when we are most vulnerable or going through a major life change. Adjusting to parenthood is a major stressor where our coping skills can feel totally overwhelmed, and we lack the tools to feel confident tackling what comes next. Remind yourself that postpartum depression is not your fault, you are doing the best you can and that’s all your baby needs from you.
Reach out for professional help: Postpartum depression therapy offers a safe space to process your feelings, develop coping tools, and begin healing.
Therapy for Postpartum Depression in Denver, Greenwood Village, Englewood and Throughout Colorado Can Help
If you’re looking for postpartum depression treatment in Denver or surrounding areas like Greenwood Village or Englewood, therapy can be a lifeline. Postpartum counseling helps by:
Giving you a safe, nonjudgmental space to share your feelings
Teaching coping skills to manage sadness, irritability, or anxiety
Making sense of identity shifts and relationship challenges
Clarifying your values in this new chapter of your life
Supporting you in strengthening your bond with your baby
Helping you find joy and meaning in motherhood
Work with a Postpartum Depression Counselor at Root to Rise Therapy
If you’re struggling with postpartum depression, know that you don’t have to face this alone. At Root to Rise Therapy, I specialize in supporting mothers who are navigating the challenges of new motherhood, including postpartum depression, anxiety and more. I especially love helping new mothers heal from people-pleasing and perfectionism, and the ways in which they can manifest in early parenthood. My approach is compassionate, personalized, and designed to help you feel seen, supported, and empowered.
I offer online therapy for postpartum depression in Colorado at my practice, as I know how hard it can be for new moms to find childcare or take space away from their babies in the early days of motherhood. Virtual counseling allows you to receive support from the comfort of your own home when leaving the house can feel overwhelming. I also see clients living throughout New York and New Jersey. Whether you’re looking for treatment for postpartum depression in Greenwood Village, Denver, or online therapy for postpartum depression across Colorado, I am here to walk alongside you as you heal. Together, we can help you feel like yourself again and create a stronger foundation for both you and your family.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
If you’re ready to take the first step toward healing from postpartum depression, I invite you to reach out. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward feeling whole again. You deserve care, support, and the chance to thrive in motherhood - and I’ll help you make sure that you do.
Related Posts:
Understanding Postpartum Anxiety for Moms in Denver
Support for Anxiety and Stress During Pregnancy
New Parent Anxiety: How Postpartum Therapy Can Help
Postpartum Identity Crisis? Here’s How Postpartum Anxiety Therapy Can Help
How to Cope With Return to Work After Maternity Leave
Mental Health Resources for New Moms in Denver
Other Services at Root to Rise Therapy:
Other mental health services at Root to Rise Therapy include Therapy for Anxiety, Therapy for Perfectionism,Therapy for People-Pleasing,Cultural Identity Counseling, ADHD Therapy, Counseling for Moms and Postpartum Counseling. I see clients located in Colorado, New York and New Jersey. Contact me to learn more about how I can help you overcome anxiety and reclaim your life!
