Pregnancy Therapy in Los Angeles

Reviewed by Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, PhD, PMH-C

In short: Pregnancy therapy is support that starts before the baby arrives: anxiety that will not settle, a complicated or high-risk pregnancy, grief from earlier losses, or dread you cannot explain to anyone. Getting help now is also protection for your postpartum months.

Los Angeles has a wellness culture that will sell you every prenatal supplement, every birth class, every meditation app - but often skips the mental health part entirely. Pregnancy gets treated as a physical event, not a psychological one. Which means most moms in LA get to their third trimester having never talked to anyone about the anxiety, the fears, or the identity questions that have been quietly building since the positive test.

Those feelings are louder in certain LA environments. If you work in entertainment or tech, you're doing career math on your maternity leave from the moment you see the line. If you've done IVF or fertility treatment to get here, you're carrying grief and relief at the same time. If you're delivering at Cedars or UCLA Medical, you're surrounded by people who look prepared - and wondering if you are.

Pregnancy therapy is support that starts now, not after the baby comes. Our therapists offer individual therapy for pregnant women navigating anxiety, fears about birth, relationship changes, and the broader identity shift of becoming a mother.

What pregnancy therapy addresses

• Prenatal anxiety - the "what if" spiral that doesn't stop

• Fear of childbirth - whether it's a first birth or shaped by a previous hard experience

• Pregnancy after loss - IVF, miscarriage, the fear of hoping again

• Relationship changes - navigating your partnership through pregnancy

• Big life decisions - career, maternity leave, returning to work

• Body changes and the feelings they bring up

Why starting before the baby arrives matters

The postpartum period is hard enough without starting it depleted. Moms who do therapy during pregnancy build a relationship with a therapist before the hardest transition happens. That continuity matters. Week three postpartum is not the time to be interviewing new therapists.

Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, our founder, holds a PhD and a PMH-C - a specialized certification in perinatal mental health. Our team works with moms from the first trimester through the postpartum period and beyond.

Brentwood office, or anywhere in California

Our office is in Brentwood, close to several Westside hospitals. For pregnant moms who aren't up for the commute, telehealth sessions are available throughout California. And if you move into the postpartum period and are struggling to get out, we also offer at-home postpartum therapy so care can come to you.

Start with a free consultation

15 minutes. No intake forms before you know if we're a good fit. You can also read more about our practice on our maternal mental health therapist in Los Angeles page.

Book your free consultation →

What the Research Shows

Support during pregnancy works ahead of time. In a clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health, women who received talk therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy had 81% lower odds of depression or anxiety six weeks after childbirth. The program in that trial was delivered while the women were still pregnant.

Postpartum Support International reports that 1 in 5 women experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period.

From Dr. Shamtobi

As Dr. Shamtobi told Parents, waiting is not required.

"Even if everything appears 'fine' on the outside, internal distress still matters. Reaching out early can make a meaningful difference in both pregnancy and postpartum well-being." (as told to Parents)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to do therapy while pregnant?

Yes - and often essential. Untreated anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect your wellbeing and your birth experience. Therapy during pregnancy is one of the most protective things you can do for yourself and your baby.

What kinds of things bring pregnant women to therapy?

Pregnancy anxiety and fear of birth, previous pregnancy loss or fertility struggles, relationship strain, fear of repeating your own childhood, ambivalence about becoming a parent, and the identity shifts that start long before the baby arrives.

Can therapy help with fear of childbirth?

Yes. Fear of childbirth is real and treatable. We help mothers understand where the fear comes from, process previous birth trauma, and build a genuine sense of agency going into delivery.

I had a difficult first pregnancy. Will therapy help me this time?

Significantly. Previous birth trauma, infant loss, or a hard postpartum experience changes how you experience a subsequent pregnancy. Working through that - not suppressing it - is the most effective path to a different experience this time.

Do you offer flexible scheduling for pregnancy therapy?

Yes. We offer morning, evening, and telehealth options to work around work and family demands. Reach out through our contact page and we will find a time that works.

Related reading: Related: anxiety during pregnancy and prenatal vs. postpartum depression. Still trying to conceive? Start with infertility counseling in Los Angeles.

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.