Maternal Mental Health Los Angeles
Reviewed by Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, PhD, PMH-C
You didn't think it would feel like this.
Maybe you imagined a flood of love and got a flood of anxiety instead. Maybe you're three months postpartum and still waiting to feel like yourself. Maybe pregnancy isn't the joyful experience everyone told you it would be, or you're grieving a loss and everyone else has moved on.
Whatever brought you here — you're not broken. You're experiencing something that affects 1 in 5 mothers, and it's treatable.
The Mother Hood is a maternal mental health practice in Los Angeles. We work exclusively with mothers and mothers-to-be, which means we understand the specific emotional terrain of pregnancy, postpartum, loss, and the identity shift that motherhood brings. This isn't a general therapy practice that happens to see moms. It's all we do.
What Is Maternal Mental Health?
Maternal mental health refers to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period — though for many, the challenges extend well beyond the first year.
It includes:
Postpartum depression — persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness after birth.
Postpartum anxiety — racing thoughts, constant worry, or feeling like something is always about to go wrong.
Birth trauma — distressing or traumatic experiences during labor and delivery.
Prenatal depression and anxiety — mood and anxiety struggles that begin during pregnancy.
Pregnancy loss — grief after miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination for medical reasons.
Fertility-related distress — the emotional weight of IVF, infertility, or repeated loss.
Matrescence — the identity shift that comes with becoming a mother, at any stage.
These aren't character flaws or signs that you're not cut out for motherhood. They're recognized mental health conditions with effective, evidence-based treatments.
Who We Help
We work with mothers at every stage:
Pregnant moms navigating anxiety, identity fears, or a difficult pregnancy
New mothers in the postpartum period — whether weeks or years after birth
Moms experiencing loss — miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, secondary infertility
Moms on the fertility journey — IVF, egg freezing, the emotional toll of trying
Moms of older children adjusting to new stages, feeling lost in the mental load, or returning to work
If you're a mother and you're struggling emotionally, you belong here.
Why a Perinatal Specialist Matters
Maternal mental health isn't just a subdomain of general mental health. The hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, identity disruption, and relationship changes of motherhood create a specific clinical picture that requires specific clinical training.
Dr. Sanam Shamtobi holds a PMH-C certification — Perinatal Mental Health Certified — the gold-standard credential for clinicians treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She trained specifically in the postpartum period and continues that focus across every stage of motherhood.
When you see a general therapist who "also sees moms," you may spend sessions explaining the basics. At The Mother Hood, we already know. That's the difference.
Our Services for LA Moms
We offer in-person therapy at our Brentwood office and telehealth sessions for mothers throughout California.
Individual therapy — one-on-one sessions tailored to exactly where you are. Most clients start here.
Couples therapy — for partners navigating the relationship changes that parenthood brings. Because this affects both of you.
Group therapy — therapist-led small groups for moms who want connection alongside clinical support. There's something that only happens when you're in a room with people who actually get it.
At-home postpartum therapy — sessions at your home during the early postpartum period, when getting out the door with a newborn is its own obstacle.
All services are available via telehealth to mothers across California.
Getting Started
The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. We'll talk about what's going on, what you're looking for, and whether The Mother Hood is the right fit.
We're out-of-network providers. We provide superbills you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement.
Ready when you are. Book a free consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or contact the Postpartum Support International Helpline at 1-800-944-4773. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation.