Understanding the profound impact of challenging lived experiences on our sense of self and identity by Amanda Sharp, MA, AMT at Thrive Therapy Santa Barbara

Though grief takes many forms and lasts as long as it lasts, the common understanding is that it has five stages:

Denial may show up as disbelief that this is actually happening where you choose to continue on as if nothing has changed. You, literally, block out the information the doctor told you.

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If you experienced a challenging birth or encountered unexpected difficulties in postpartum, you might feel a deep sense of grief or loss for the moments you didn’t get to experience. These losses often feel invisible; few people recognize them and you can feel isolated, confused, and unsure of how to hold space for your grief. Invisible losses aren’t easy to see, but they are deeply felt by those who carry them.

In many instances, you might not even realize you lost something until you hear another parent sharing part of their birth story or talking about their feeding journey with their baby, or if you’ve ever joined a new parent group and realized your experience feels different, and suddenly you feel a deep sense of loss that no one else recognizes.

The postpartum journey can be a rollercoaster ride filled with happiness, exhaustion, and overwhelming emotions. While it can be a magical time, it's also challenging in the most profound ways. However, if you find yourself struggling more than you anticipated, seeking out postpartum therapy or additional mental health support can be a game changer to healing, and feeling more like yourself again.

As a parent, you always strive to provide the best for your child. In today's fast-paced and challenging world, children often encounter various stressors that can impact their emotional and mental well-being. Therapy can be a valuable resource to support children facing difficulties and can play a pivotal role in their overall development and family well-being. Here are five compelling reasons why therapy might benefit your child.

While welcoming a new life should be a beautiful and empowering, awe-inspiring moment, the reality is that not all births unfold that way. Many people are left in the aftermath of a birth experience that didn't go as planned, one that left emotional wounds that take much longer to heal than the physical ones. If you're feeling like your birth story has left you grappling with emotions and memories that you can't quite handle, know that you're not alone. Here are some signs that could hint at the need for extra support after a traumatic birth. Know, that what constitutes “trauma” is subjective and is as unique as your experience.

Group therapy is when several people meet together to share about their challenges and experiences under the guidance of a mental health therapist. Group therapy can be an effective and supportive way to process emotions, and gain tools to combat what you are navigating. Different from a support group, group therapy tends to be more formal and structured, and is always led by a mental health professional.