Postpartum Anxiety Therapy for Seattle Moms

you don't have to feel this on edge, all the time. help is here.
mom holding baby on chest during therapy for postpartum anxiety in Washington State.

  • Postpartum anxiety is one of the most common emotional experiences in new motherhood — yet it often goes unseen and undiscussed. At least 1 in 5 moms experience postpartum anxiety in the first year after having a baby.

    Unlike postpartum depression, which is more widely recognized, postpartum anxiety often looks like a mind that won’t turn off. Racing thoughts, muscle tension, a sense that something terrible is about to happen — even when things seem fine — can leave you feeling wired and exhausted all at once.

    You might feel like you should be “enjoying every moment,” but instead you’re overwhelmed, agitated, and constantly scanning for danger. That doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system is in overdrive — and that’s something we can work with.

  • Postpartum anxiety can look different for every mom — but here are some of the most common signs and symptoms that may show up in the first year after birth:

    • Feeling restless or constantly on edge

    • Racing thoughts or worries that don’t let up

    • Trouble sleeping, even when your baby is asleep

    • Irritability or feeling like everything is too much

    • Physical tension, nausea, or a racing heart

    • Needing to check things over and over

    • Intrusive thoughts that feel scary or hard to say out loud

    • Feeling like something bad is going to happen, even if nothing is wrong

    You might be feeling all of these. Or just one or two.

    Either way, you’re not the only one — and you don’t have to do this alone.
    Postpartum anxiety is treatable. With the right support, you can feel calmer, more grounded, and connected to yourself again.

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My Approach to Postpartum Anxiety Therapy in Seattle

Postpartum Anxiety (PPA) is something I support moms with every day in therapy. In fact, PPA impacts at least 1 in 5 moms, and it often goes undetected. So if you're newly postpartum or navigating this chapter again, your mind may feel constantly "on." You're adjusting to life with a baby while carrying the invisible weight of worry, overstimulation, and what-ifs.

You’re not alone in this. And it truly doesn’t have to keep feeling this way.

Feeling anxious all the time doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Maybe your thoughts won’t stop racing, and you're constantly worried about your baby’s safety or overwhelmed by all the “what ifs.” You might be struggling to rest, even when the house is quiet, or feel hyper-alert to every sound or shift. It’s exhausting. And you might be asking yourself, “Why can’t I just relax and enjoy this?” It means your nervous system needs care, so it can come down from the state of emergency it’s in.

You don’t have to prove that you’re okay.

When we work together, you’ll be met with warmth, calm, and zero pressure to “have it all figured out.” My approach to postpartum anxiety therapy is gentle and grounded. I integrate evidence-based practices like CBT, DBT, and somatic mindfulness to help you reconnect with your breath, your body, and your sense of safety. We’ll go at your pace. You don’t have to push through this on your own.

And with the right support, you can feel calm again.

Anxiety may be trying to protect you, but it’s also keeping you from fully living this chapter. Therapy can help you quiet the mental noise, understand your triggers, and rebuild a sense of safety in your mind and body.

You deserve to feel more present, more grounded, and less on edge. You don’t have to feel this way forever. I’m here to talk about what healing can look like when you’re ready.

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  • Postpartum anxiety (PPA) can show up in ways that feel invisible, overwhelming or hard to admit out loud. You might be constantly worried about your baby’s safety, feel hyper-alert to every sound, or have a racing mind that won’t settle down.

    You may also experience intrusive thoughts, which are sudden, unwanted images or fears that feel distressing or “not like you.” These thoughts can be incredibly upsetting, but having them does not mean you’re a bad mom.

    Many moms with PPA also struggle to sleep, even when their baby is resting, or feel like they can’t ever “turn off.” You might find yourself thinking, “Why can’t I just enjoy this?”


    At least 1 in 5 moms experience PPA, and with the right support, healing is possible.

  • There’s no single cause for postpartum anxiety, and that can feel frustrating when you’re searching for answers. But what you’re going through makes sense. Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, past anxiety, birth trauma, infertility, or even the stress of an unexpected delivery or NICU stay can all contribute.

    Sometimes PPA shows up even when things seem “normal” on the outside. That doesn’t make it any less real.

    Here’s what I want you to know:


    This is not your fault.


    You didn’t do anything wrong, and you’re not failing.

    Postpartum anxiety is your nervous system’s way of trying to protect you during a massive life shift. Becoming a mom (or becoming one again) is deeply layered. If you’re feeling constantly on edge, overwhelmed, or like you can’t turn your thoughts off, it means your system is asking for care, not judgment.

  • Absolutely. Many moms experience postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression at the same time — and it’s more common than you think.

    You might be feeling low, anxious, irritable, disconnected, or just not like yourself. You don’t have to fit neatly into one category to get support. I work with the full spectrum of postpartum mental health experiences.

    If this sounds like you, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to push through it.
    We’ll talk about what’s going on and what might help you start to feel better, one step at a time.

    You can also learn more about how I support moms with postpartum depression therapy here.

  • We’ll begin with a free 15-minute intro call — a chance to connect, talk through what you’re experiencing, and see if it feels like a good fit.

    From there, you’ll fill out an intake questionnaire and complete perinatal-specific screening tools, like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) — a clinically validated assessment designed to identify symptoms of postpartum anxiety and depression. These tools go beyond what many OBs or general providers offer, and they give us a grounded starting point for understanding your experience.

    In our first full session, we’ll talk more deeply about what life looks like for you right now — what’s working, what’s overwhelming, and what kind of support you’re really needing.
    You’ll leave with a few meaningful tools and strategies you can actually use — ones that fit into your existing routine and help ease anxiety in daily life.

    All sessions are virtual, and you’re welcome to come just as you are.
    No commute. No sitter required.
    You can breastfeed, wear pajamas, or bounce your baby on your lap — it’s all okay here.

    This is your space to feel seen and supported without any pressure.

  • Yes. I provide virtual therapy for postpartum anxiety to moms across Seattle, Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, and throughout Washington State.

    Wherever you’re located, whether it’s the city, the Kitsap Peninsula, or a smaller nearby community, you can access specialized support without the stress of traffic or childcare.

    As a postpartum therapist, I created this space to be flexible, welcoming, and accessible.


    You don’t have to leave your home to get help that’s compassionate, expert, and truly designed to be doable for every new parent.

Postpartum Anxiety Therapy FAQs

Let's Connect

BEING A MOM FEELS SO MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU GET THE SUPPORT YOU ACTUALLY NEED.

Hi! I’m Dr. Julie Franks. I’m a therapist for Seattle moms who specializes in postpartum anxiety therapy.

but you can just call me dr. Julie
Dr Julie Franks, therapist for moms, is a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes, smiling, wearing a peach blazer over a white shirt, standing against a plain wall.

Welcome; I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re a new (or new again!) mom and things feel harder than you expected, you’re not alone. It takes real strength to ask for support, and I’m glad you’re checking this out.

I’m a perinatal mental health therapist, which means I specialize in postpartum mental health care, including postpartum anxiety. Therapy gives you space to talk honestly about motherhood — the parts that often get ignored or dismissed — without fear of judgment. I understand how motherhood reshapes the way you respond to stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. I can help you feel more grounded and more like yourself again.

And I’m not just a maternal mental health therapist; I’m also a mom who has navigated my own postpartum anxiety. I’ve felt the pressure, the exhaustion, the expectations, and how tough it is to enjoy motherhood when you’re anxious. I deeply understand what you’re going through, and I’m willing to share from my own experience with PPA you’re interested. Most women find it helpful to know that I've been there.

My therapy practice is physically located on Bainbridge Island, and I support moms across Seattle, Bellevue, Gig Harbor, Kitsap County and throughout Washington State. All sessions are held online and babies are always welcome.

If you're wondering whether postpartum therapy could help, let’s talk about it.Reach out today and we’ll take the first step together.

Get Help from a Postpartum Anxiety Therapist in Seattle Today.

Postpartum anxiety is one of the most common and least recognized mental health challenges new moms face. I work with mothers across Seattle, Bellevue, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County, and throughout Washington State through secure, virtual therapy sessions. You don’t have to keep pushing through our waiting for things to get better on their own.

I’m here when you’re ready to talk.

Schedule your free intro call