Postpartum Therapy
Online postpartum therapy for mothers in New York, Connecticut, & Florida
When “Just Wait, It Gets Better” Isn’t Enough
with Gayle Weill, LCSW, Postpartum Therapist
Online therapy | $325 per session | Out-of-network with insurance
You finally got the baby you wanted, but this isn’t the motherhood you imagined.
It’s 3am. Your baby is finally asleep, but you’re wide awake, scrolling your phone and wondering if you’ve made a huge mistake. The intrusive thoughts about something terrible happening to your baby feel so real, you’re afraid to tell anyone. You love this tiny human fiercely, but you also fantasize about getting in your car and driving away.
You didn’t think it would be this hard.
You prepared for everything: the nursery is Pinterest-perfect, you read the books, you wanted this baby. But nobody prepared you for the rage that bubbles up when your partner asks “what’s for dinner?” while you’re covered in spit-up and haven’t taken a shower in two days. Or the panic that sets in when your mother-in-law texts she’s “stopping by to help.”
You’re exhausted, but it’s more than just lack of sleep. It’s the weight of being needed every. single. second. The suffocating responsibility of keeping another human alive when some days you forget to eat lunch. The grief for your old life that makes you feel guilty and ungrateful.
“What if I drop the baby down the stairs?” (Even though you hold them so carefully your arms ache)
“I miss when it was just us” (While staring at your partner across a sea of baby gear)
“I need to get away from this crying” (Followed immediately by crushing guilt)
“Everyone else seems to love every minute of this” (As you scroll past another #mommylife post)
“Maybe I'm just not meant to be a mother” (Despite wanting this baby for so long)
“I should have never done this” (Even though you’d protect this baby with your life)
Here’s what’s really happening: You’re not a bad mother. You’re having a normal response to an overwhelming life change that coincides with the biggest hormone crash of your life, identity upheaval, and less sleep than prisoners of war get.
Up to 20% of new mothers experience postpartum anxiety. Another 10-15% experience postpartum depression. Women with histories of perfectionism, high achievement, and complicated relationships with their own mothers are at even higher risk.
You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. And this is treatable.
The thoughts you’re having (that you think make you a terrible mother):
We’ll uncover why THIS is so hard for YOU specifically…
Your best friend bounced back after her baby. Your sister loved the newborn phase. But for you, this is harder than you expected. Together, we’ll explore what motherhood is triggering from your own history.
Maybe your mother was anxious and now you’re worried about passing that on. Maybe you were the family hero who never needed help, and now needing help feels like a failure. Maybe control has always been your way of feeling safe, and babies aren’t always predictable.
This isn’t about blaming your past; it’s about understanding why your nervous system is reacting this way so that we can calm it down.
You’ll get real strategies for the hardest moments…
When intrusive thoughts hit during a diaper change: You’ll understand these thoughts are actually your brain’s misguided way of protecting your baby (yes, really), and have specific techniques to move through them without panicking.
When rage bubbles up at bedtime: We’ll trace where this anger really comes from (hint: it’s rarely about the current moment) and develop ways to discharge it that don’t involve yelling at your partner or shame-spiraling for hours.
When your mother visits: You’ll have scripts for boundaries that honor both your need for autonomy and your desire to maintain the relationship. “Mom, I know you did it differently, and it worked for you. I need to find what works for me.”
We’ll rebuild your identity (because you’re more than “mom”)…
Remember her? The woman who had opinions about restaurants, stayed up late because she wanted to, had sex because she desired her partner (not because it's been three weeks and you feel guilty)?
She’s not gone. She’s buried under burp cloths and breast pads, but she’s there. We’ll work on integrating who you were with who you’re becoming, so that you don’t feel like you’re betraying your baby every time you miss your old life.
What working with me looks like (beyond only talking about feelings)…
What changes when you do this work…
Morning: You wake up tired but not defeated. The day feels manageable, not like a mountain to climb. When the baby cries, you can differentiate between “I need to respond right now” and “I need to put them down safely and take 15 seconds to breathe.”
Afternoon: Your mother-in-law texts she’s coming over. Instead of panic, you respond: “We’re free from 2-3. Looking forward to seeing you then.” You don’t over-explain or apologize.
Evening: Your partner comes home and asks how they can help. Instead of saying “nothing” through gritted teeth, you hand them the baby and take a shower without narrating everything they need to do. You trust them. You trust yourself.
3am: The baby wakes. You’re tired, maybe frustrated, but not destroyed. You know this will pass. You know you’re doing enough. You can hold your crying baby without your nervous system going into overdrive.
At the pediatrician’s office: You ask questions without apologizing. You trust your instincts when something feels off. You don’t need to poll 10 friends before making a decision about formula or sleep training.
With your mom-friends: You can listen to someone talk about how in love they are with their baby without feeling defective. You understand that everyone does motherhood differently, and your way (complicated feelings and all!) is valid.
The deeper changes…
Through our work together, you'll learn that having complicated feelings doesn’t make you a bad mom, or a bad person. It makes you human.
You can desperately love your baby AND miss your old life
You can be grateful for this child AND grieve your independence
You can be a good mother AND have days where you don’t like being a mother
You can need a break from your baby AND miss them when they’re gone
These mixed feelings aren’t bad or wrong. They’re emotionally mature.
This means that when you snap at your baby during the fifth night waking, you can apologize to them in the morning without spiraling for hours. When your toddler watches you cry from exhaustion, they learn feelings are temporary, not dangerous. When you tell your partner “I need 10 minutes alone” instead of exploding, your kids see that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish.
Postpartum therapy with me IS for you if…
You have enough hope to believe things could be different (even if it’s just a flicker)
You’re curious about WHY you’re struggling, not just looking for quick fixes
You can tolerate exploring uncomfortable feelings (with support) instead of just wanting them gone
You sense there’s more going on with you than only hormones or sleep deprivation
You want to understand yourself deeply so that the changes stick
Postpartum therapy with me is NOT for you if…
You’re actively planning to harm yourself or your baby (please call 988 or go to your nearest ER)
You want someone to just tell you what to do without exploring what’s happening under the surface
You’re looking for medication management only (though I support medication as part of treatment)
You’re not ready to look at how your past might be affecting your present-day
I’m Gayle Weill, LCSW, and I’ve spent years working with parents, children, and families. I am trained in psychodynamic therapy, which means we go beyond surface symptoms to understand what’s really driving your distress.
I’m also certified in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), trained in EMDR and hypnosis, and I’m a Circle of Security-Parenting facilitator.
In our work together, we’re going deeper than “try this breathing technique.” We’ll discover why your nervous system treats your baby’s normal needs like threats. Why asking for help feels like admitting defeat. What your postpartum rage is actually protecting you from feeling. This isn’t just insight for insight’s sake; when we understand what’s driving these feelings, you won’t need a list of strategies because the feelings themselves will shift.
About working with Gayle…
Investment in your motherhood…
$325 per 60-minute session
I don’t accept insurance directly, but I provide Superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients with out-of-network benefits receive 50-80% reimbursement after meeting their deductible, if they have one.
Think about it this way: You’re not just investing in feeling better. You’re investing in enjoying your baby’s first months and years instead of just surviving them. You’re investing in breaking generational patterns so that your child doesn’t inherit your anxiety. You’re investing in a version of motherhood that feels authentic to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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No, I am not accepting insurance at this time, but I am happy to provide you with a Superbill so that you can submit claims to your insurance company for possible reimbursement for therapy sessions.
People with out of network insurance benefits generally receive 60-80% reimbursement after meeting their deductible.
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$325 for a 60 minute session.
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At this time I am only offering telehealth on Zoom for therapy sessions.
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They often overlap. Racing thoughts, constant worry, and feeling on edge might be anxiety. Numbness, hopelessness, and disconnection might be depression. Many moms experience both. We’ll address whatever you’re experiencing.
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Postpartum mood issues can persist for years untreated. If you’re struggling and you’ve had a baby in the last few years, it’s not too late.
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This is common and important to address. We’ll work on resolving the first postpartum experience while preparing for the next.
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Intrusive thoughts are different from intentions. I’m required to report if a child is in danger, but scary thoughts aren’t the same as plans or actions. We’ll discuss this clearly in our first session.
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Most moms who worry about this are actually deeply conscientious mothers. The “bad” moms aren’t staying up googling therapists. But we’ll explore this fear honestly.