Maybe you expected to feel glowing and grateful. Instead, you're anxious in ways you can't quite explain. Or sad in ways that don't make sense. Or dreading things you're supposed to be excited about, and then feeling guilty about the dread on top of everything else.
This is more common than anyone talks about. And it has a name. And it's treatable.
Prenatal depression and anxiety affect a significant number of pregnant women, yet most are never screened for it. If you've been white-knuckling your way through pregnancy, wondering why you can't just feel happy, you're not failing.
You thought pregnancy would feel more like the photos.
You may just need support that's actually designed for what you're going through.
What working together looks like
We'll start by understanding what's actually going on for you, not just symptom management, but the full picture: your history, your relationships, the expectations you're carrying, and what you actually need to feel more like yourself again.
I use ACT, IFS, and CBT, not because they're the popular options, but because they work. I'm also trained to address the deeper relational patterns that often surface during pregnancy, the ones that connect back to your own childhood, your relationships, and the identity questions that pregnancy tends to crack open.
Available in-person in Chanhassen and via telehealth across 40-plus states. Check out more on the Billing page.
Sessions are individualized. it means I'm not running you through a protocol or a checklist.
You feel disconnected from your pregnancy or from your partner.
You're having racing thoughts about your pregnancy, your baby, or your ability to be a good mom.
You're anxious most of the time, even when nothing is technically wrong.
You can't remember the last time you felt genuinely okay.
Pregnancy therapy might be right for you if
You're experiencing any of the following:
You have a history of anxiety, depression, or trauma that feels louder right now.
You've had a previous pregnancy loss and this pregnancy feels impossible to enjoy.
Why work with a PMH-C psychologist
I'm a Perinatal Mental Health Certified provider (PMH-C), one of fewer than 1,600 psychologists in the country to hold that credential. I'm also a PsyD (doctoral level psychologist) with 10-plus years of post-licensure clinical experience.
That means I understand the clinical landscape of pregnancy, the research, the screening tools, the specific presentations that show up in this season, and how to treat them effectively. I'm not approaching your experience with general therapy training and a good bedside manner. I'm a specialist.
I'm also a mom who has lived through the postpartum fog, the solo parenting weeks, and the identity questions that come with this season. When you sit across from me, you won't have to explain yourself from scratch.
Not all therapists are trained in perinatal mental health.
"Melissa is a perfect combination of being warm, relational, and scientifically grounded in her approach to perinatal mental health. She understands the pressure put on women and moms to be perfect and selfless. She knows how to support women in challenging these expectations and learning how to also take care of ourselves. She’s an incredible person and therapist, especially for neurodivergent moms looking for therapy."
- Jenna Brownfield
