Postpartum Depression Therapy for Moms in Gig Harbor, Washington
BECOMING A MOM IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU EXPECTED — and support is available.
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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 tend to fade within a few weeks — postpartum depression lasts longer and can feel much heavier.
You might notice persistent sadness, emotional numbness, or a disconnection from your baby or yourself. Some moms feel angry or irritable. Others just feel off — like they’re no longer themselves. And because PPD often begins after your six-week checkup, it can be easy to miss.
Your experience is valid — even if it doesn’t match what you’ve heard from others. With compassionate support, healing is possible.
If your symptoms also include scary thoughts, restlessness, or constant worry, you might also want to explore therapy for postpartum anxiety.
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Postpartum depression can show up in many different ways. Some moms feel sad or detached. Others feel anxious, angry, or unlike themselves. You might notice:
Difficulty bonding or feeling connected with your baby
Persistent sadness or crying spells
Irritability, restlessness, or intense anxiety
Hopelessness or fear that things won’t improve
Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
Trouble sleeping — even when the baby sleeps
Wondering if you made a mistake becoming a parent
Thoughts of self-harm or feeling unsafe
Deep exhaustion that doesn’t lift with rest
Intrusive thoughts
Guilt
Feeling Disconnected - even when everything looks fine
PPD is treatable.You don’t have to wait until things get worse. With support, things can feel lighter again.
How I Help Gig Harbor Moms Heal from Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common — and least talked about — postpartum experiences I support in therapy. Being a new — or new-again — mom is an enormous transition. You’re navigating physical recovery, hormonal shifts, and constant care for a baby who depends on you around the clock. Many high-achieving or perfectionistic moms are surprised by how much this season asks of them - even if they are used to excelling. It’s no wonder things feel heavier than anticipated.
You're not alone in this. And it doesn't have to stay this hard.
Being a new mom is hard — and not in the way people warned you.
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 so deeply exhausted it feels like you're disappearing. This isn’t just “new mom tired.” It’s hard to recognize yourself in the mirror. You may even catch yourself wondering, Did I make a mistake? That thought doesn’t make you a bad mom — it makes you human.
You don’t have to figure this out alone — I totally get where you are.
When we work together, you’ll be met with warmth, compassion, and zero judgment. My approach to postpartum depression is always tailored to what you need most. I draw from CBT, DBT, Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Motivational Interviewing—not a one-size-fits-all plan, but a toolkit we’ll build together for your unique journey. Step by step, we’ll work toward a version of motherhood that feels more connected, sustainable, and true to you.
And I want you to know there’s hope - even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
What you’re going through may be 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. Step by step, therapy can help you feel more grounded, more present, and more like yourself again.
Postpartum Depression Therapy FAQs
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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While I don’t prescribe medication, I can coordinate with your OB-GYN, midwife, or primary care provider if you’d like that kind of support. I also have a trusted network of perinatal-specific prescribers I work with and can connect you with.
Many moms find that combining therapy with medication can offer relief, especially when symptoms feel overwhelming or persistent. But this is a very personal decision. You’re never pressured by me— and together, we’ll talk through your options in a way that centers your comfort, values, and goals.
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Yes. I provide secure, virtual therapy for moms across Gig Harbor — including Artondale, Rosedale, Wollochet, and surrounding peninsula communities.
No matter where you are in the Gig Harbor area, postpartum support is just a click away — no commute, no need for a sitter, and no pressure to “have it all together.”
If you’re outside of Gig Harbor, you can also check out my Washington-wide page for support anywhere in the state.
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 virtual postpartum mental health therapy for moms in Gig Harbor and Surrounding Peninsula Communities.
but you can just call me dr. Julie
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 with advanced training in postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety (PPA), fertility challenges, and the emotional side of early parenthood. My approach is trauma-informed, deeply respectful of your experience, and welcoming to every family in the peninsula community.
Therapy gives you space to speak honestly about the parts of motherhood that often get dismissed — without fear of judgment. I understand how becoming a mom can reshape the way you respond to stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. Together, we can help you feel more grounded and more like yourself again.
And I’m not just a therapist — I’m also a mom.
I know firsthand how exhausting and disorienting early motherhood can feel. As someone who navigated postpartum anxiety after a difficult start to motherhood, I deeply understand how internal and external pressures can weigh on your mental health. In our work together, I help you reconnect with what truly matters — beyond the noise of perfectionism and comparison.
My therapy practice is based on Bainbridge Island, and I support moms throughout Gig Harbor. No need to cross the bridge or find a sitter- you’re welcome exactly as you are ( babies are always welcome, too).
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 Perinatal and Postpartum Therapist in Gig Harbor Today.
You’re not meant to go through this without support.
Postpartum depression is one of the most common — and least talked about — experiences in early motherhood. I provide postpartum and perinatal mental health support in Gig Harbor, Artondale, Rosedale, Wollochet, and nearby communities — all through secure, virtual sessions.
Ready to feel like yourself again? I’m here when you’re ready.