Therapy for New Moms in Los Angeles

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

Nobody prepared you for the part where you don't recognize yourself. You were ready for the hard parts of having a newborn. You weren't ready for the feeling that the person you used to be just... left. That experience has a name — matrescence — and it happens to almost every new mom in Los Angeles, whether you're in Brentwood, Silver Lake, Pasadena, or anywhere in between.

In LA, new motherhood comes with its own brand of pressure. Career timelines that don't pause for postpartum recovery. A city full of people who look like they've figured it out. The unspoken expectation — in certain zip codes especially — that you'll be back to yourself by month two. You won't. That's not a failure. That's biology and identity catching up with each other, and it takes time.

At The Mother Hood, we offer individual therapy for new moms navigating all of it — the postpartum mood changes, the identity questions, the relationship shifts, the return-to-work anxiety. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support.

What we help new moms work through

• Postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety — the full range, not just the obvious

• Matrescence — the disorienting identity shift of becoming a mother

• Relationship changes after baby — the partner dynamic, the "roommate phase"

• Return-to-work anxiety — especially real in LA's competitive industries

• Mom guilt — the relentless second-guessing

• Birth experiences that didn't go as planned — birth trauma is real and treatable

• Breastfeeding stress and grief when it didn't work out

What makes maternal mental health therapy different

You could see a general therapist. Most are good at what they do. But a therapist who works exclusively with new mothers has heard "I love my baby but I'm drowning" a thousand times and knows exactly what to do with it. They won't be surprised by intrusive thoughts. They won't minimize how hard the identity shift is. They'll meet you where you are.

Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, our founder, holds a PhD and a PMH-C — a specialized certification in perinatal mental health. Every therapist on our team has trained specifically in this space.

From Brentwood to wherever you are

Our office is in Brentwood, which works well for moms on the Westside. If you're not ready to leave the house yet, we also offer at-home postpartum therapy for those early weeks. For everyone else — Silver Lake, Pasadena, Burbank, the Valley — telehealth sessions are available throughout California. Same therapists. Same care. No 405.

Start here

A free 15-minute consultation. We'll hear what's going on and connect you with the right person. You can also read more about our practice on our maternal mental health therapist in Los Angeles page.

Book your free consultation →

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the right time to start therapy after having a baby?

There is no wrong time. Some mothers come to us in the first weeks when everything feels overwhelming. Others come months later when they realize they have been running on empty. If you are wondering whether it is time, that question itself is usually a sign.

What do new moms talk about in therapy?

Everything. The gap between what motherhood was supposed to feel like and what it actually feels like. Identity shifts. Relationship strain. Intrusive thoughts. Grief for your old self. Sleep deprivation that makes everything harder. There is no topic that is off-limits.

I love my baby but I do not feel like myself. Is that normal?

It is one of the most common things we hear. The psychological transformation of becoming a mother is real, and it can feel like losing yourself even when you are gaining so much. That tension is something we work through together.

How is The Mother Hood different from general therapy in Los Angeles?

We work exclusively with mothers and mothers-to-be. Every therapist here has specialized training in perinatal mental health. The space is designed for you — babies are welcome, hours account for nap schedules, and you will never have to explain why you are crying without knowing why.

Does my partner need to be involved in my therapy?

Not unless you want them to be. Individual therapy is just for you. If couples work would help, we offer that separately — but your healing does not depend on your partner's participation.

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.