Perinatal Counseling for Women
Find support as you navigate family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum with Ali Barnum at Barnum Counseling.
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Ali is a seasoned therapist who offers perinatal counseling for women who are trying to conceive, women who are pregnant, and postpartum. She has advanced training from Postpartum Support International. and extensive experience in treating perinatal anxiety, mood disorders, grief and loss, medical trauma and OCD.
My brain and my heart are really important to me. I don’t know why I wouldn’t seek help to have those things be as healthy as my teeth.
Kerry Washington
Perinatal Concerns Addressed at Barnum Counseling
Perinatal Anxiety
Perinatal anxiety can feel intense and consuming, especially during a time that’s often expected to be joyful. Ali provides compassionate, evidence‑based support for women experiencing anxiety while trying to conceive, throughout pregnancy, and in the postpartum period. Her approach offers a safe, non‑judgmental space to explore racing thoughts, fears, and “what ifs,” understand where the anxiety is coming from, and build practical tools to feel more steady and supported. Together, you’ll work toward restoring balance, strengthening confidence, and helping you feel more like yourself during this important chapter of your life.
What does perinatal anxiety look like?
Anxiety takes many forms. If you notice one or more of these, you could benefit from therapy.
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Worrying often about many things
Feeling unable to get comfortable or relax
Overeating or not feeling hungry
Frequently feeling like something bad might happen
Feeling that you may panic
Feeling more irritable than normal
Experiencing digestive issues when stressed
Perinatal worry, fear or nervousness
Let Ali help you find more permanent, effective solutions to help you manage stress and anxiety.
Perinatal Depression
Did you know that perinatal depression can affect anyone? It often shows up quietly during pregnancy or after birth. Ali offers compassionate, evidence‑based support for women experiencing sadness, overwhelm, or disconnection during this vulnerable time. Together, Ali will help you to understand your emotional experience, strengthen coping skills, and rebuild a sense of stability and connection. Ali’s goal is to provide a safe, non‑judgmental space where you can feel heard, supported, and empowered as you move toward healing and a renewed sense of self.
How can you recognize perinatal depression?
Depression is not always obvious. If you have any of these symptoms, contact Ali today for help.
Feeling overwhelming sadness most days
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Changes in appetite
Feelings of worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
No energy to take care of basic hygiene
Lack of enjoyment in activities you used to enjoy
Increasing feelings of guilt, self-doubt or self-blame
Intrusive thoughts about death or harming yourself
Perinatal depression is a treatable medical condition, not a personal failure. With compassionate, evidence‑based care, individuals can regain stability, reconnect with themselves and their baby, and feel supported through this vulnerable chapter.
Perinatal OCD
The development of OCD during the perinatal period of your life can be frightening and isolating, especially when intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors feel out of character or hard to talk about. Ali provides a safe, non‑judgmental space for individuals experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Together, you and Ali will work together to understand the nature of intrusive thoughts, reduce shame, and build effective strategies to manage anxiety and regain a sense of control. Ali’s approach is compassionate, evidence‑based, and grounded in helping you feel supported, understood, and empowered as you move toward healing.
When should you seek help for perinatal OCD?
If you notice one or more of these symptoms, Ali may be able to help.
Intrusive thoughts about death or harming yourself
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts
Compulsive behaviors or mental rituals
Avoidance behaviors
Intense fear of being a “bad” parent
Heightened sense of responsibility
Difficulty sleeping or relaxing
Significant distress or shame
Perinatal OCD is treatable, and experiencing these symptoms does not reflect a parent’s intentions, values, or ability to care for their child. Support from a trained mental health professional can help individuals understand these symptoms, reduce anxiety, and regain a sense of safety and confidence.
Medical Trauma
Medical trauma can come from moments when your body, your baby, or your health felt at risk — whether it was an unexpected C‑section, pre‑eclampsia, a NICU stay, a hemorrhage, a frightening delivery, or any medical emergency where things moved fast and you didn’t feel fully informed or in control. These experiences can leave lasting emotional and physical echoes, even long after everyone has been “medically cleared.”
Ali’s role as a therapist is to help you make sense of what happened, reconnect with your body, and rebuild a sense of safety and trust in yourself.
Grief and Loss
Grief after a medical crisis, complicated birth, or unexpected loss is often layered and deeply personal. I support clients in making sense of what was lost—whether it was a pregnancy, a hoped‑for birth experience, a sense of safety, or trust in their body. Together, you and Ali will create space for the pain, the unanswered questions, and the “what should have been,” while gently rebuilding connection, meaning, and self‑compassion.
Ali’s goal is to help you honor your grief without rushing it, and to walk with you as you find steadier ground again.
Benefits and Risks of Individual Counseling and Therapy
Individual counseling and therapy with Ali can be a life-changing experience. Sometimes, though, counseling can bring up uncomfortable or painful thoughts and feelings. This may be because you have tried to avoid thinking about these feelings. Or, maybe you have not thought about them in a long time. Bringing these thoughts to the surface in counseling can be overwhelming at first.
Making changes to your thoughts, beliefs or behaviors can be scary. Sometimes, it disrupts people’s established relationships. You may also find your relationship with your therapist to be a source of strong feelings, some of them painful.
It is important that you remember the benefits you’ll experience by making changes. Many people who choose to participate in therapy find it to be helpful and healing. The best time to start is now!
“It’s up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind.”
Steve Maraboli
Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience
Barnum Counseling is in network with most major insurance companies. If you would like to know if your insurance covers perinatal and maternal mental health counseling , please contact Ali or your insurance company to learn about your covered options.
Get the individual therapy you need to get your life back on track!
Contact Ali today to start on your path to mental health and wellness.
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