South Pasadena Postpartum Counseling
Carter Psychotherapy Collective
South Pasadena + Online Across California
Having a baby is not exactly how you thought it would be.
So many new moms wonder “is this normal?”
On the outside you might look like you’re managing it all. But on the inside, you carry vivid, upsetting worries about your baby, and yourself, that won't shut off. Your body doesn’t look or feel like before, and it’s hard to feel at home in your own skin. You might be struggling with nursing or the decision to switch to bottles, or sleep training, or not sleep training… or any of the other complex and imperfect decisions you have to make as a parent. Your identity and goals feel like they’ve been shoved in the back of a closet. And the feelings you have towards your partner, baby (or dog!) are not what you wish they were.
You’re not alone. Postpartum anxiety and depression are common and profoundly disorienting conditions. They are not a failure - they’re signs your system is asking for help.
Moms Come to Us When They’re:
Constantly worrying
Unable to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping
Grieving a lack of family support
Struggling with postpartum body changes and body image
Feeling disconnected from baby, self, partner or friends
Overwhelmed and frequently spiraling
Feeling haunted by emergency C‑section or NICU stays
Wondering if you’ll ever get back to pre-baby goals and interests
The Best Time To Start Therapy Is As Soon As You’re Thinking About It
The narrative around motherhood often leaves out the full picture. You're expected to feel joy and gratitude, but not fear, confusion, grief, or rage.
That silence can make you feel like you're failing when in reality, you're just human. Even if you longed for parenthood, the reality can feel different and more disorienting than expected.
Our therapists use a compassionate, multi-faceted approach, drawing from supportive talk therapy, CBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care, to help you feel more like yourself again.
Meet our Postpartum Therapists
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![Allison Carter, LCSW, post partum therapist in South Pasadena]()
Allison Carter, LCSW, PMH-C
I love working with new parents facing anxiety, depression, body image concerns, or post-traumatic symptoms, using the Trauma Resiliency Model, mindfulness, and a relational approach to heal from difficult or unexpected birth and postpartum experiences.
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![Alexandra Gaty, LCSW, post partum therapist in Los Angeles and Pasadena]()
Alexandra Gaty, LCSW
With an insightful, compassionate, and deeply human approach, I support new parents by blending mindfulness and CBT to help you find your center, reconnect with your baby and partner, and explore your evolving identity.
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![Lianna Kirakosyan, post partum therapist in Los Angeles and South Pasadena]()
Lianna Kirakosyan, LMFT
I’m especially skilled at helping people manage panic, health anxiety, or obsessive thinking during the perinatal period, and I also support those navigating perinatal eating disorders by integrating CBT, DBT, and a warm, thoughtful presence.
How Postpartum Therapy With Us Works
We meet you where you are with compassion, spaciousness, and real tools. Therapy here is about understanding what’s true for you now and supporting you in discovering yourself again.
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First and foremost, therapy with us is a space where you can share about your thoughts, feelings and experiences without needing to worry about being judged. We can help you slow it down and make sense of what is going on for you during this wild time of your life. You’ll have space to talk through your changing identity, your needs, and anything else that is coming up during this transitional time.
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We help you cultivate practices that anchor you in the present moment so you can find comfort in your body, reclaim calm, and feel safer.
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TRM is a mindfulness based therapy for trauma, and can be really helpful when birth was hard, unexpected, or medical for you or your baby. We help you retake the reins of your nervous system and heal the shock, fear, or grief that isn’t always spoken, so it stops echoing in your relationships and daily life.
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Sometimes we need some concrete tools for working with distressing thoughts. CBT helps you challenge or manage intrusive thoughts and pull out of spirals of worry or guilt. It gives you tools to test what your mind is saying and choose what’s helpful.
Postpartum Therapy Can help…
Intrusive thoughts quiet more quickly
Your mood feel more stable
You get more rest, better sleep
A return of your creativity and identity
Feeling more at home in your body
Stronger connection with your baby and partner
Confidence to make parenting choices that work for you and your family
More at peace with the way your pregnancy, birth and newborn days went down
4 Steps To
Get Started
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Fill out the contact form. Share as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.
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We’ll have a 15‑minute call to answer any questions, explain how we work, and see if our approach feels like a fit.
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We’ll map what’s hardest right now, what you hope to reclaim, and begin grounding and emotional safety work.
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Regular sessions to build safety, deepen your self knowledge, integrate the work, and help you feel steadier in your life and relationships.
Starting in 2026: Parents Group!
Looking for community? Check out our New parent process and mindfulness group run by Alex!
You don’t have to feel lost after baby
We’re here to help you rediscover who you are.