Understanding the Perinatal Spectrum
You Don't Have to Carry This Alone
Pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year of parenting bring incredible change. Along with joy and excitement can come exhaustion, worry, self-doubt, and emotions that feel difficult to explain. You may love your baby deeply while wondering why you do not feel like yourself.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect one in five women during pregnancy or after birth. These experiences are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.
At Milestone Counseling Group, Holly Brumm specializes in helping moms and families navigate the emotional challenges that can come with pregnancy, postpartum, fertility struggles, and pregnancy loss. Whether you feel overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or simply unlike yourself, counseling can help you understand what you are experiencing and begin moving forward with confidence.
What Is the Perinatal Spectrum?
Many people hear the word "postpartum" and immediately think of the rare and frightening stories they have seen on the news. Holly says that is not what most parents experience.
The perinatal spectrum includes the time from conception through the baby's first year of life. It also includes people experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss. During this period, your body, hormones, relationships, routines, and identity are all changing at once.
Those changes can affect everyone differently.
Some parents feel persistently sad. Others struggle with constant worry or racing thoughts. Some have trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps. Others feel guilty because they believe they should be happier than they are.
As Holly explains,
"Most postpartum challenges are about low mood, fatigue, or anxiety, not disconnection or danger. It's about adjustment and finding your footing again."
Many parents assume these feelings are simply part of becoming a parent, making it difficult to recognize when additional support may help.
Common signs include:
- Feeling anxious or overwhelmed most days
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Difficulty sleeping even when you have the opportunity
- Feeling constantly on edge
- Intrusive thoughts that create fear or guilt
- Feeling disconnected from yourself, your partner, or your usual routines
One of the most misunderstood symptoms is intrusive thoughts.
Holly often reassures parents by saying,
"These thoughts don't mean you're dangerous. They mean you're overwhelmed, and talking through your thoughts and concerns helps."
Understanding that these experiences are common often brings enormous relief.
How Counseling Can Help
Many parents tell themselves they simply need to push through this season. Between caring for a newborn, lack of sleep, and trying to keep up with everyday responsibilities, finding time for yourself may seem impossible.
Holly sees several reasons people delay getting support. Busy schedules, guilt, stigma, and the belief that struggling is simply part of parenthood often keep parents from reaching out.
As Holly explains,
"There's still this idea that you should handle it yourself. But no one is meant to do this alone. It takes a village, and therapy can be part of that support."
Counseling provides a place to slow down, make sense of what you are experiencing, and develop practical strategies that fit your life.
At Milestone Counseling Group, therapy is designed to work with the realities of parenting. Babies are welcome during appointments, sessions are available both in person and virtually, and partners or support people can participate when appropriate.
Holly primarily uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), two evidence-based approaches that help clients better understand their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and life transitions during pregnancy and early parenthood.
She also helps connect families with community resources and support groups that can reduce feelings of isolation.
As Holly says,
"Support groups help moms feel less alone. Therapy offers a deeper level of healing, but both can be life-changing."
Meet Holly Brumm
Holly Brumm, LISW-S, PMH-C, has more than thirteen years of experience helping children, adolescents, young adults, and families. She is certified in Perinatal Mental Health and has developed a passion for supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and other important life transitions.
Her approach is relaxed, collaborative, and centered around building trust.
She believes every client is the expert on their own life. Rather than telling people what they should do, Holly works alongside them to understand their experiences, identify their strengths, and develop practical solutions that fit their goals.
One of the first things she focuses on is helping clients feel comfortable.
As Holly explains,
"As women, we're often expected to 'just get through it.' But pregnancy and postpartum can bring about significant changes, including physical and emotional shifts, which may cause you to feel unlike yourself. You don't have to face these challenges alone."
Whether someone is attending therapy for the first time or returning after years away, Holly takes time to explain the counseling process and help each person feel understood from the very beginning.
What Treatment May Include
Every person's experience is different, so therapy is tailored to your individual needs.
Treatment may include helping you:
Understand Changing Emotions
Recognize how hormonal changes, stress, and major life transitions can influence your emotional well-being.
Challenge Anxious Thinking
Learn practical ways to recognize negative thought patterns and respond with healthier perspectives using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Adjust to New Roles
Interpersonal Therapy helps many parents navigate changing relationships, new responsibilities, and shifts in personal identity after becoming a parent.
Build a Stronger Support System
Therapy often includes identifying trusted people, community resources, and support groups that can help reduce isolation and provide encouragement throughout this stage of life.