Is pregnancy or the postpartum period feeling harder than you thought it would?
No one really prepares you for the mental load of this stage.
The waiting. The hormones. The constant background thinking that never really shuts off.
The pressure to feel grateful and happy, even when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or quietly grieving parts of your old life or body.
One minute you’re managing.
The next, you feel emotionally raw, disconnected, or on edge for no clear reason.
You might be noticing things like:
- feeling anxious, tearful, or emotionally overwhelmed during pregnancy
- feeling disconnected from yourself after giving birth
- intrusive thoughts or constant worry that feels hard to turn off
- feeling numb, irritable, or emotionally flat postpartum
- guilt for not enjoying pregnancy or the postpartum period “the way you’re supposed to”
- changes in your relationship that feel confusing or hard to name
- feeling isolated or unseen, even with people around you
If you’re reading this and recognizing yourself in it, take a breath. Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring up emotions no one really warns you about, even when things look okay on the outside. Feeling overwhelmed, conflicted, or unsure of yourself doesn’t cancel out love or gratitude. It just means this stage is a lot.
Many Canadians come to Shift Collab during pregnancy or postpartum because they feel overwhelmed, unseen, or unsure where their old self went. Therapy gives you a place to say the things you’re not saying out loud and get support that actually fits this season of life.
Why Canadians choose Shift Collab for pregnancy and postpartum support
Pregnancy and postpartum are not just happy milestones. They are identity shifts, nervous system overload, and a lot of feelings that can be hard to name. At Shift Collab, therapy is a place where you do not have to explain or downplay why this feels hard. We get the emotional weight of this stage.
16,000+
Canadian clients supported
125+
Psychotherapists + Social Workers
80+
Clinical specialties
97%
Of clients are highly satisfied with their care
100%
Virtual— therapy anytime, any place
Therapy for pregnancy and postpartum might be right for you if you want to…
feel less anxious or emotionally overwhelmed during pregnancy or postpartum
understand mood changes, intrusive thoughts, or emotional numbness
make sense of anxiety or low mood without judging yourself
feel more grounded in your body during a time of constant change
process a difficult, unexpected, or complicated pregnancy or birth experience
work with a therapist who understands the emotional realities of pregnancy and postpartum
What pregnancy and postpartum therapy looks like at Shift
Therapy during pregnancy and postpartum is not about telling you how to parent or how you should feel. It is about helping you feel more like yourself again while so much is shifting internally and externally.
In therapy at Shift, you might:
- feel calmer in your body and less consumed by anxiety or mental spirals
- make sense of overwhelming emotions instead of feeling blindsided by them
- respond to intrusive thoughts with more steadiness and less fear
- reconnect with who you are beyond the roles and expectations placed on you
- feel emotionally supported instead of holding everything in on your own
- move out of survival mode and into something that feels more sustainable
What makes therapy for pregnancy and postpartum at Shift Collab different
Work with a therapist who truly understands pregnancy and postpartum mental health. Only 5 percent of applicants join our team, with an average of 11 years of experience supporting people through major life transitions.
With 125+ therapists, we match you with someone who specializes in pregnancy related anxiety, postpartum emotional adjustment, identity shifts, and relationship changes.
If something feels off after 30 days, we will rematch you with a new therapist and cover your next session. No awkwardness.
Therapy from anywhere in Canada, seven days a week. No waitlists. No rearranging your life to make it work.
See why over 16,000+ Canadians choose us.
Meet our therapists who specialize in pregnancy and postpartum support 👋
Meet our therapists who specialize in pregnancy and postpartum support 👋
Ready to get support during pregnancy or postpartum?
Our care team is here to match you with a therapist who feels like a good fit. Use the form to tell us what you are looking for and we will send handpicked therapist recommendations.
Have questions before getting started? Share what you are curious about and our care team will reach out with answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to struggle emotionally during pregnancy or postpartum?
Yes. And it is more common than most people realize. Pregnancy and postpartum can bring anxiety, emotional swings, intrusive thoughts, or a sense of overwhelm, even when things look “fine” on the outside. Struggling during this time does not mean you are doing anything wrong. It often means your nervous system is adjusting to a huge life shift.
Can therapy help with anxiety or intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or postpartum?
Absolutely. Therapy can help you understand why intrusive thoughts show up and how to respond to them without panic or shame. Instead of trying to push them away, you learn ways to feel steadier and safer in your day to day life.
I feel pressure to feel happy or grateful. Is that something therapy can help with?
Yes. Many people feel pressure to enjoy every moment or to feel a certain way during pregnancy or postpartum. Therapy can help you unpack that pressure and make room for a more honest, compassionate experience.
What if my pregnancy, birth, or postpartum experience was not what I expected?
You are not alone, and you do not have to minimize it. Therapy can help you process disappointment, grief, loss, or trauma in a way that honours your experience.
Can non birthing partners come to therapy too?
Absolutely. We support birthing parents, non birthing partners, fathers, trans and non binary parents, and people navigating pregnancy and postpartum in many different ways.
Can online therapy really help during pregnancy or postpartum?
Yes. Online therapy removes many of the barriers that make getting support harder during this stage. You can attend sessions from home, when your energy allows, without commuting or rearranging your life when you are already stretched thin.
Where can I learn more about pregnancy and postpartum mental health?
You can explore our therapist written articles to better understand the emotional and psychological shifts that can come with pregnancy and the postpartum period. We cover topics like anxiety, identity changes, and what support can look like when this stage feels heavier than expected. A great place to start is with these blogs:
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