Postpartum Depression Therapy in Seattle, Bellevue, and Across Washington

this isn't what you expected to feel like as a new mom. and it's okay to get support.
mother holding baby and "postpartum depression therapy"
  • Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common and treatable experience many moms face after giving birth — in fact, it affects around 1 in 7 women in the first year postpartum.

    Unlike the “baby blues,” which typically fade within a couple of weeks, PPD lasts longer and can feel heavier. It might show up as sadness, disconnection, guilt, or irritability — and it often begins after your regular postpartum checkups have ended, making it harder to spot.

    Every mom’s experience with postpartum depression is different. It doesn’t always look like crying or feeling sad. For many, it shows up as intense overwhelm, numbness, or not feeling like yourself. Whatever your version of PPD looks like, you deserve support that meets you where you are.

    If your symptoms also include scary thoughts, restlessness, or constant worry, you might also want to explore therapy for postpartum anxiety.

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

    • Feeling disconnected or having trouble bonding with your baby

    • Persistent crying or ongoing sadness

    • Feeling anxious, angry, or easily irritated

    • Hopelessness or a sense that things will never get better

    • Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

    • Difficulty sleeping, even when your baby sleeps

    • Wondering if you made a mistake by becoming a mom

    • Recurrent thoughts about death or suicide

    • Feeling exhausted no matter how much rest you get

    You might be feeling all of these. Or just one. Either way, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to push through this on your own.

    PPD is treatable. With the right support, it’s absolutely possible to feel grounded, connected, and like yourself again.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the most common experiences I support in therapy. Being a new — or new again — mom is incredibly complex. You’re navigating a massive life transition while caring for a baby who depends on you around the clock.
It’s no wonder PPD can feel overwhelming.

You're not alone in this. And it doesn't have to stay this hard.

How I Support Moms with Postpartum Depression


Being a new mom is hard.

Maybe you’re feeling sad or disconnected because you aren’t bonding with your baby the way you thought you would. Or maybe you’re deeply, utterly exhausted — beyond anything you imagined. It’s not just new-parent tired. It’s hard to recognize yourself in the mirror. You may even find yourself wondering, “Did I make a mistake?” It’s okay. That doesn’t mean you’re broken.

I totally get where you are.

When you work with me, you’re met with compassion and zero judgment.
The therapy I provide for postpartum depression is personalized, gentle, and evidence-based. I draw from CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to meet you where you are. Together, we’ll explore your experience and create a plan that helps you reconnect with yourself. You don’t have to do this alone.

And want you to know there’s hope.

What you’re going through sounds like postpartum depression — and it’s more common than you think. That doesn’t make it less painful, but it does mean you’re not alone. With the right support, you can begin to feel joy again in your life and in motherhood. Therapy can help you feel more like yourself, step by step.
Let’s talk about what healing could look like for you.

Postpartum Depression Therapy FAQs

  • Many women first hear about postpartum depression (PPD) at their 6- or 8-week postpartum visit, when OB/GYNs or midwives screen for symptoms. But it’s common for PPD to show up later — at 3 months, 6 months, or even beyond the first year.

    If you’re wondering whether what you’re feeling is postpartum depression or anxiety, that’s worth listening to. You don’t need to “wait it out” to get support.

    Here are some common signs of postpartum depression:

    • Feeling disconnected from your baby

    • Difficulty bonding

    • Persistent sadness or frequent crying

    • Anxiety, anger, or irritability

    • Trouble sleeping (even when your baby sleeps)

    • Hopelessness or feeling “not like yourself”

    • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

    • Thoughts like “Did I make a mistake becoming a mom?”

    • Recurrent thoughts about death or suicide

    • Exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest

    This list reflects a wide range of experiences — and your personal experience may not look exactly like anyone else’s. When we begin therapy, we’ll talk about what’s been happening for you and explore whether postpartum depression or anxiety is impacting your wellbeing. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

  • First, please know this: This is not your fault. You didn’t cause postpartum depression, and you didn’t do anything wrong. PPD and PPA are real, treatable conditions — and you are not alone. With support and care, things can get better.

    While we don’t always know exactly why one mom experiences postpartum depression or anxiety and another doesn’t, research shows there are common risk factors that may increase the likelihood. These include:

    • Experiencing depression or anxiety during or before pregnancy

    • Medical conditions (like diabetes or thyroid imbalance)

    • A history of PMS or hormone-related mood changes

    • Past trauma, including sexual trauma or abuse

    • A family history of postpartum mood disorders

    • Pregnancy loss or infant loss

    • Being a parent to multiples (twins, triplets)

    • Having a baby in the NICU

    • Relationship challenges or lack of partner support

    • Financial stress or housing insecurity

    • Single parenthood

    • Limited social support

    • Challenges with breastfeeding

    If some of these factors sound familiar, you’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’re “weak” or failing. It means you deserve support that’s trauma-informed, compassionate, and designed for this season of life. Therapy can help you make sense of what’s happening and begin to feel more like yourself again.

  • Yes — and you’re not alone. Many women experience both postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) at the same time. These two experiences often overlap and even intensify one another, making new motherhood feel overwhelming, exhausting, or isolating.

    The good news? Therapy can treat both together. You don’t have to figure out which one is “more dominant” or “more real.” In our work together, we’ll explore what your symptoms are really trying to tell you — and begin untangling what’s rooted in anxiety, depression, or both.

    You’ll learn:

    • Where your thoughts and symptoms are coming from

    • How PPD and PPA interact in your nervous system and emotions

    • Evidence-based tools to support both anxiety and depression in the postpartum period

    • How to feel more present, grounded, and capable in your role as a mom

    You deserve support that sees the whole picture — and meets you where you are. We’ll take it one step at a time, together.

    If your symptoms lean more toward worry, tension, or racing thoughts, you might also want to explore my page on therapy for postpartum anxiety.

  • Therapy with me starts with connection and clarity. Before our first session, I invite you to fill out a brief questionnaire that helps you share what’s going on, even if the words are hard to say aloud. We’ll also use tools like the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) to get a clear picture of your symptoms — more than most OBs or general providers typically explore.

    Some moms want to know if what they’re experiencing is PPD, PPA, or something else. Others just want to feel better. I honor both. My approach focuses on you, not just a diagnosis. These experiences often overlap, and we work with what you’re actually feeling.

    In our first session, we’ll build trust and talk about what matters most to you. You can ask me anything — about my experience, the therapy process, or what to expect. You’ll leave with real, supportive next steps that can help you start feeling even a little bit better right away.

    My style is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and gentle structure. I integrate evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and motivational interviewing with warm, affirming care. Over time, we’ll identify patterns, build on your strengths, and help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that feel lost right now.

    Sessions are virtual and always on your terms — no need to get dressed up, find a sitter, or hide how you’re feeling. You’re welcome to breastfeed, wear pajamas, or bring your baby to the screen. This is your space to be fully seen, supported, and cared for.

    Most women say they feel better earlier than expected — less alone, more understood, and finally able to focus on themselves. That’s where healing begins.

  • Yes — I provide virtual therapy for postpartum depression to clients in SeattleBellevueTacoma, and across Washington State, including Kitsap CountyBainbridge Island, and the broader Kitsap Peninsula.

    Whether you're in a busy city or a quieter part of the region, therapy is just a screen away. My sessions are fully virtual and tailored to meet you right where you are — no commute, no need for a sitter, no pressure to “have it all together.”

    If you're looking for a postpartum therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health and truly understands this journey, I'd be honored to support you. Let’s connect when you’re ready.

ALL MOMS DESERVE SUPPORT, INCLUDING YOU.

Hi! I’m Dr. Julie Franks, I provide Postpartum Therapy for Moms in Washington.

but you can just call me dr. Julie

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 want you to know: that strength lives in you.

I’m a perinatal mental health therapist, which means I specialize in postpartum mental health care, including postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA). 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. I’ve felt the pressure, the exhaustion, the expectations. As a postpartum anxiety survivor who had a difficult start to motherhood, I deeply understand how social and emotional pressures can impact your mental health. I help moms reconnect with what matters most to them, beyond the noise of comparison and perfectionism.

My virtual therapy practice is based on Bainbridge Island, and I support moms across Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and throughout Washington State. All sessions are held online — and babies are always welcome. No need to get dressed up, find a babysitter, or pretend everything’s fine. Just come as you are.

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 Therapist in Washington Today.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone.

Postpartum depression is one of the most common — and least talked about — experiences in early motherhood. I work with moms across Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and all of Washington State through secure, virtual therapy sessions. You don’t have to do this alone — and you don’t have to wait to start feeling better.