Bringing a baby into the world can be a deeply emotional and transformative experience. For many new parents, it’s a time filled with joy and love — but also one that can be overwhelming and isolating. At Cova Psychology, we understand that postpartum depression and anxiety are more common than people often realise, and they deserve the same care and support as any other mental health condition.
As psychologists based in Melbourne, we’re here to provide evidence-based therapy for people experiencing emotional challenges during the perinatal period — including pregnancy, post-birth, and early parenthood. Whether you’re struggling to connect with your baby, feeling constantly on edge, or simply not feeling like yourself, you don’t have to go through this alone.
Postpartum depression (also called postnatal depression) and anxiety can occur after the birth of a child and sometimes during pregnancy. These are not just “baby blues,” which are short-lived mood shifs that many parents experience. Postpartum depression and anxiety can affect your ability to function day-to-day and can impact your connection with your baby and others around you.
Some people describe feeling numb, teary, irritable, or hopeless. Others report constant worrying, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping (even when the baby sleeps), or a sense of dread. These symptoms can creep in gradually or feel sudden, and they may vary in intensity over time.
It’s important to note that these experiences don’t reflect your ability to parent or how much you love your child. They are health conditions — and with the right psychological support, they are treatable.
Everyone’s experience of postpartum mental health is different. Still, some signs that may suggest you’re experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety include:
Feeling persistently low, flat or numb
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Panic attacks or shortness of breath
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
Intrusive or distressing thoughts, including fears of harming your baby (which can be terrifying but are more common than people talk about)
Excessive guilt, shame, or feelings of worthlessness
Withdrawing from loved ones or feeling unable to reach out
You may also notice physical symptoms such as fatigue, appetite changes, headaches, or muscle tension. These symptoms might be dismissed as just part of new parenthood — but when they persist or interfere with daily life, it’s important to seek help.
If you’d like to understand more about how depression can affect your wellbeing and daily functioning, our overview page may be helpful.
There’s no single cause of postpartum depression and anxiety, and it doesn’t happen because someone is doing something wrong. A range of factors can contribute, including:
Hormonal changes after birth
Lack of sleep and physical exhaustion
Previous experiences of trauma or depression
Birth complications or a difficult pregnancy
Feeling unsupported by a partner, family or community
Pressures of parenting and unrealistic expectations
Becoming a parent can bring up strong emotions — including grief, confusion, and fear. Some parents may also feel a loss of identity or a sense of being overwhelmed by responsibility. All of this can have an impact on mental wellbeing.
If you’re currently pregnant or in the early stages of parenting, you might find our blog on how to prepare for and manage parenting stress useful.
At Cova Psychology, our Melbourne-based psychologists provide a safe, respectful space for you to talk about what you’re going through — without judgement. We work collaboratively with you to make sense of your experiences and find ways to manage your symptoms in a way that aligns with your needs, values and goals.
Therapy might include learning strategies to reduce anxiety, regulate emotions, improve sleep, or gently reconnect with parts of life that feel lost. For some, it involves processing trauma from the birth or earlier life experiences that have resurfaced. For others, it’s about challenging unhelpful thoughts and expectations that make parenting feel impossibly hard some days.
We draw from a range of evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed care. Every therapy plan is personalised, flexible, and grounded in what works for you.
Our blog post on perinatal mental health goes into more detail about what this period can look like and how psychologists can help.
Many people wait until things feel unbearable before seeking help — often because they fear being judged, feel ashamed, or believe they should be coping better. But therapy isn’t only for those at breaking point. It’s also for those who just feel “off,” stuck in their head, or unsure whether what they’re feeling is “normal.”
If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is postpartum depression or anxiety, you’re not alone. We can help you make sense of it and decide together whether therapy feels like a good fit.
You might also be interested in reading about effective treatment options for depression — including what to expect in therapy and how to know when it’s time to reach out.
We offer in-person sessions at our Melbourne CBD clinic, as well as telehealth appointments for those who prefer to access therapy from home. We understand that it can be difficult to leave the house with a newborn, or to arrange childcare. Our flexible options are designed to meet you where you are — emotionally and practically.
Our team includes experienced psychologists and clinical psychologists who understand the complexity of the perinatal period. We take care to listen, to understand, and to walk alongside you at your pace.
If you’re experiencing more anxiety than usual — racing thoughts, constant worry, or physical tension — our dedicated anxiety therapy page outlines how psychological support can help you feel more grounded and in control.
While postpartum depression and anxiety are often associated with birthing parents, partners and co-parents can also experience significant mental health challenges during this time. At Cova Psychology, we welcome all parents who are finding the transition to parenthood difficult.
Whether you’re supporting someone through postnatal depression, or experiencing your own emotional difficulties, our psychologists in Melbourne are here to support you too.
One of the most painful parts of postpartum depression and anxiety is how isolating it can feel. It can seem like everyone else is coping better, enjoying parenthood more, or bonding with their baby more easily. But the truth is, many parents feel this way — and very few talk about it openly.
Therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about understanding what you’re going through, finding ways to ease the load, and reconnecting with the parts of you that still feel strong, hopeful or grounded (even if they feel buried right now).
It takes courage to reach out. But with the right support, things can get better.
Many people wait until things feel unbearable before seeking help — often because they fear being judged, feel ashamed, or believe they should be coping better. But therapy isn’t only for those at breaking point. It’s also for those who just feel “off,” stuck in their head, or unsure whether what they’re feeling is “normal.”
If you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is postpartum depression or anxiety, you’re not alone. We can help you make sense of it and decide together whether therapy feels like a good fit.
You might also be interested in reading about effective treatment options for depression — including what to expect in therapy and how to know when it’s time to reach out.
We offer in-person sessions at our Melbourne CBD clinic, as well as telehealth appointments for those who prefer to access therapy from home. We understand that it can be difficult to leave the house with a newborn, or to arrange childcare. Our flexible options are designed to meet you where you are — emotionally and practically.
Our team includes experienced psychologists and clinical psychologists who understand the complexity of the perinatal period. We take care to listen, to understand, and to walk alongside you at your pace.
If you’re experiencing more anxiety than usual — racing thoughts, constant worry, or physical tension — our dedicated anxiety therapy page outlines how psychological support can help you feel more grounded and in control.
While postpartum depression and anxiety are often associated with birthing parents, partners and co-parents can also experience significant mental health challenges during this time. At Cova Psychology, we welcome all parents who are finding the transition to parenthood difficult.
Whether you’re supporting someone through postnatal depression, or experiencing your own emotional difficulties, our psychologists in Melbourne are here to support you too.
One of the most painful parts of postpartum depression and anxiety is how isolating it can feel. It can seem like everyone else is coping better, enjoying parenthood more, or bonding with their baby more easily. But the truth is, many parents feel this way — and very few talk about it openly.
Therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about understanding what you’re going through, finding ways to ease the load, and reconnecting with the parts of you that still feel strong, hopeful or grounded (even if they feel buried right now).
It takes courage to reach out. But with the right support, things can get better.
If you’re a parent in Melbourne and you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or low after having a baby, we encourage you to reach out. At Cova Psychology, our team of psychologists in Melbourne is here to help you make sense of your experiences and find a way forward.
To book an appointment or learn more about how we can help, contact us today. We offer in-person and online sessions, and we’ll work with you to find a psychologist who’s the right fit for your needs.
You don’t have to go through this alone — and you don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes just talking to someone who understands is the first real step toward healing.
Call us today to discuss your needs and connect with a psychologist from our Melbourne team.
Don't let your struggles hold you back. Call us.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist.
Let’s discuss your needs and match you with the right Melbourne psychologist
Acknowledgement of Country
Cova Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where our Melbourne CBD practice is located—the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, as well as the Elders of other Aboriginal communities in Melbourne and beyond.
We Welcome all People
We Work With
We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the practice is located. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.
