The first two weeks are intense. What you're feeling is real.
Therapists in Tacoma, Washington
"I know it's only been a few days but the mood swings feel unmanageable."
+9 moreNo commitment. We'll confirm your coverage before your first session.
Virtual therapy for Tacoma families
Your spouse just deployed from JBLM, the baby is two months old, and the postpartum class you signed up for meets across town at 10am, which is the only nap window you have. For military families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, postpartum often arrives in the worst possible logistical configuration, and postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety follow. Civilian families across Tacoma's North End, Stadium District, University Place, and Gig Harbor face the South Sound version of the same problem: high housing costs, limited specialist perinatal therapists in the local market, and the cost-and-childcare math of getting to an in-person appointment with a newborn. Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification, the specialty credential in perinatal mental health, and have experience with TRICARE and military families. Sessions happen by secure video from home, with no drive to base or downtown. We specialize in postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, birth trauma, and pregnancy loss. Gig Harbor families can access the same care without paying the bridge toll.
Tacoma neighborhoods: North End · Stadium District · University Place · Gig Harbor
You might benefit from therapy if…
- ✓You're in the first 2 weeks postpartum and the mood swings feel intense
- ✓You're crying for reasons you can't fully name
- ✓You're anxious, irritable, or overwhelmed and you're not sure what's normal
- ✓You have a history of depression or anxiety and you want to be proactive
- ✓You're past the 2 to 3 week mark and things aren't lifting
- ✓You want a check-in with someone who knows what to look for
Dr. Emily Guarnotta
Psychologist & Founder
From our founder
Baby blues are real and they're also usually short. What I tell my clients in the first week is to not white-knuckle through it alone but also not to pathologize every wave of feeling. The work is paying attention and getting support if things don't lift on the timeline they're supposed to.
What therapy looks like
Your therapist
Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification — the gold standard in perinatal mental health.
Real clients. Real relief.
What our clients say about their experience.
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“"The third day home I turned to my husband and said I don't think I'm cut out for this. I believed it completely. Ten days later I felt completely different. But those ten days were some of the hardest of my life, and the only thing that helped was someone who understood what was happening and why."”
— new mom
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“"I felt like a failure for struggling when everything had gone right. Healthy baby. Good birth. Partner at home. And I was crying through half the day for no reason and terrified it meant I didn't want this. My therapist helped me understand what was happening hormonally and emotionally, and helped me figure out when baby blues become something else. I was already past it."”
— mom of 1
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“"Day four I was in the hospital bathroom crying at a commercial about dogs. I knew it wasn't rational and I couldn't stop. My midwife had told me about baby blues but experiencing it was something else entirely. I reached out to a therapist a week later when it hadn't passed. Turns out I needed more than time."”
— first-time mom
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“I had been crying every afternoon for ten days when my doula told me about Phoenix. I did one intake call and the therapist walked me through what was likely baby blues and what would be a red flag. By the time my symptoms passed, I knew exactly what to watch for. It was the most useful single hour of my postpartum.”
— Jenna, 3 weeks postpartum
Expert care.
Covered in Washington.
- ✓Aetna (incl. CVS Health, First Health, & Meritain)
- ✓BCBS (incl. Anthem, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, & state plans)
- ✓Cigna / Evernorth
- ✓United Healthcare (UHC) / Optum (incl. UBH, UMR, Surest, Oscar, & Oxford)
Most clients pay less than $20 per session.
Accepted Insurance Networks
Ready to start Baby Blues therapy? Here’s how it works.
The whole process takes about 5 minutes. We handle insurance — you just show up.
- 1
Book your free call
A quick 15-minute chat to hear what you're going through, answer your questions, and make sure we're a great fit for your needs. No cost, no commitment.
- 2
Get matched
We'll pair you with the right specialist for your specific situation. We'll also check your insurance, so you know your exact cost per session before moving forward.
- 3
Start your first session
Meet your therapist from the comfort of home. No commute, no waiting rooms, no judgment. Most clients notice a real difference within just 2 to 3 sessions.
No commitment · Most insurance accepted · Available this week
Common questions
- Timing is the biggest clue. Baby blues peak around day 5 and lift by about 2 weeks. If symptoms are still significant after 2 to 3 weeks or are getting worse, that's postpartum depression or anxiety. Severity is also a clue. Baby blues tend to come in waves, while depression and anxiety tend to be more sustained. A perinatal therapist can help you sort it out in one session.
- You don't have to, especially if symptoms are mild and within the typical 2-week window. That said, if you have a history of depression or anxiety, are unsure what you're dealing with, or want a relationship in place in case things shift, a single intake session can be reassuring and protective.
- They typically peak around day 5 postpartum and lift by about 2 weeks. If you're still struggling past that point, it's worth checking in.
- Not necessarily, but having a previous history of depression or anxiety, family history, severe baby blues, or a difficult birth experience can raise the risk. Being aware of the signs and having a plan if things shift is the most protective thing you can do.
- Yes. Phoenix Health provides telehealth therapy to residents of Washington. Sessions are conducted via secure video from your home, office, or anywhere private — no commute required. All Phoenix Health therapists are licensed and authorized to practice in Washington.
- PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) is awarded by Postpartum Support International (PSI) to clinicians who have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health — covering postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma, and related conditions. It represents the gold standard of specialization in this field.
- If you're struggling — with your mood, your thoughts, your relationship, or just how you're coping — that's enough of a reason to talk to someone. You don't need a diagnosis. A free consultation is a low-commitment first step.
From the Phoenix Health resource center
Articles and guides about baby blues
Trusted by leading voices in parenting and mental health
OBs, doulas, and pediatricians refer their patients to us because we specialize in maternal mental health.
The sooner you start,
the sooner you'll
feel like yourself again.
You've been surviving. It's time to start healing.
No commitment · Covered by insurance · Available this week
Learning resources
🌿Read our Baby Blues guides →Often goes alongside