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🍼Fourth Trimester

Fourth Trimester therapy covered by Cigna

"The baby is here and everyone celebrates β€” but nobody warned me how hard this part would be."
βœ“See a specialist this weekβœ“PMH-C Certified Therapistsβœ“Telehealth Β· see anyone from homeβœ“Accepts Cigna
In network with
CignaEvernorth+9 more

No commitment. We'll confirm your coverage before your first session.

Using your Cigna benefits

Phoenix Health is in-network with Cigna, including plans branded as Evernorth. If your card says Evernorth, that's Cigna's behavioral health division, and the coverage and network are the same. Cigna is one of the larger national insurers we work with, and their telehealth mental health coverage has expanded significantly. Our PMH-C certified therapists support Cigna members through pregnancy and the postpartum period, treating postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, birth trauma, and related concerns. Most Cigna plans cover outpatient therapy at a specialist copay once your deductible is met, and they've been strong on telehealth parity, meaning your video sessions are covered the same way as in-person visits. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, Cigna plans must cover behavioral health at the same level as physical health, so you shouldn't face higher copays or stricter visit limits for therapy than you would for a comparable medical appointment. Before your first session, we confirm your specific Cigna plan benefits, including whether prior authorization is needed (some Cigna plans require it for ongoing therapy after an initial evaluation). Sessions are FSA and HSA eligible. To verify yourself, call member services and ask: 'Do I have in-network outpatient mental health benefits? What is my copay and has my deductible been met?' We're also happy to handle this verification as part of getting you started.

Also accepted as:Evernorth

βœ“ In-network coverage

Your benefits apply directly β€” no superbills or out-of-network claims.

βœ“ Benefits verified upfront

We confirm your copay and deductible before your first session, at no charge.

βœ“ Telehealth covered

Your plan covers virtual sessions at the same rate as in-person specialist visits.

You might benefit from therapy if…

  • βœ“You're in the first 3 months postpartum and you didn't expect it to feel like this
  • βœ“You're running on no sleep and people keep telling you to sleep when the baby sleeps as if that solves it
  • βœ“You're struggling with feeding, healing, or your relationship with your body
  • βœ“You feel isolated even when people are around
  • βœ“You don't know what's normal for this phase and what's a warning sign
  • βœ“You want support before things get worse, not after
Dr. Emily Guarnotta

Dr. Emily Guarnotta

Psychologist & Founder

From our founder

The fourth trimester is the phase I built Phoenix Health to serve. It's when you have the least time, the least sleep, and the most need, and the system was not set up for that. Virtual care that meets you where you are, with therapists who already know this terrain, is what makes the difference.

What therapy looks like

Therapy in the fourth trimester is usually paced to the realities of the first three months. Sessions are often shorter, more frequent, and more practical than they might be later. Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification and know exactly what to expect from this phase, which means they can quickly distinguish normal fourth-trimester intensity from the start of postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD. Early sessions usually focus on validation and education, because so much of the suffering in this phase is amplified by not knowing what's typical. From there the work might include processing the birth, navigating relationship and family dynamics, managing the practical chaos, and screening for any clinical concerns that need more attention. Many clients work weekly through the first 12 weeks and then either move to less frequent sessions or shift focus as new issues emerge. The goal is to keep you from white-knuckling alone through a phase that benefits enormously from witness and guidance.

Our Fourth Trimester specialists who accept Cigna

Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification β€” the gold standard in perinatal mental health.

Real clients. Real relief.

What our clients say about their experience.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œ"I couldn't figure out why I felt so disconnected. I was doing everything right, the baby was healthy, everyone said I was doing great. My therapist helped me understand that the gap between how it looks and how it feels is exactly where postpartum struggles live. Once she named it, I could start addressing it."”

β€” first-time mom

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œ"I thought I'd love being home with my baby. I was bored and lonely and exhausted in a way I hadn't expected, and then I felt guilty for not being grateful. My therapist helped me understand that the fourth trimester isn't just about the baby. It's also about what happens to you, physically, hormonally, socially, in those first months."”

β€” stay-at-home mom

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œ"Nobody told me that baby blues resolving and feeling okay are not the same thing. Six weeks out I was functional. Four months out I realized I hadn't felt like myself in months and wasn't sure I knew what that meant anymore. My therapist helped me figure out the difference between adjusting and struggling, and helped me get support before it got harder."”

β€” new mom

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œI cried through the first three weeks. My therapist did a session with me on day 18, told me what was likely the baby blues, what to watch for, and how to take care of myself. That hour bought me months of clarity.”

β€” Allie, 1 month postpartum

In-network with
Cigna.

Most clients pay less than $20 per session.

Accepted Insurance Networks

Cigna
Evernorth
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
UnitedHealthcare

Your rights under federal parity law

Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), your insurer cannot impose more restrictive limits on mental health coverage than on comparable medical or surgical benefits.

See full coverage map β†’

Ready to start Fourth Trimester therapy? Here’s how it works.

The whole process takes about 5 minutes. We handle insurance β€” you just show up.

  1. 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. 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. 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 Β· Most insurance accepted Β· Available this week

Common questions

  • As soon as you want support. Many clients start in pregnancy specifically so they have someone in place by the time the baby arrives, but starting at week 2 or week 6 or week 10 are all fine. The earlier, the more time the support has to help.
  • A perinatal-trained therapist can usually tell in one session. Some heaviness in the first weeks is expected. Sustained sadness, anxiety, numbness, or hopelessness past the 2 to 3 week mark is a different picture and worth treating. The screening itself is reassuring either way.
  • Phoenix Health is virtual, so you don't go anywhere. Many clients do sessions in pajamas, on a couch, sometimes with the baby on them. Your therapist will work with the conditions you actually have, not the ones you wish you had.
  • You don't need anyone else's permission to get support. The fact that you're asking is a good signal. Many partners come around once they see the benefit, but you don't have to wait for that to start.
  • Most Cigna plans cover telehealth behavioral health sessions at the same rate as in-person care under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Phoenix Health verifies your specific plan benefits before your first session. Your out-of-pocket cost typically depends on your deductible and copay structure.
  • PMH-C (Perinatal Mental Health Certification) is awarded by Postpartum Support International (PSI) to clinicians who have completed advanced training in perinatal mental health β€” covering postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, birth trauma, and related conditions. It represents the gold standard of specialization in this field.
  • If you're struggling β€” with your mood, your thoughts, your relationship, or just how you're coping β€” 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 fourth trimester

How Your Attachment Style Affects Your Parenting

When you become a parent, you are suddenly on the other side of the most important relationship of your life. The way you connect with, respond to, and bond with your child is deeply influenced by a powerful, often unconscious, blueprint created in your own infancy: your attachment style.

Read article β†’

'I Don't Want to Yell Like My Parents Did': A Guide to Conscious Parenting

In a moment of exhaustion, your child has a tantrum, and you hear your own parent's angry voice coming out of your mouth. The moment passes, and you're flooded with shame and a familiar, painful thought: "I swore I would never do that." This is the moment that brings many parents to their knees, and…

Read article β†’

Breastfeeding and Mental Health: The Complete Guide

Read article β†’

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.

  • Parents.com
  • Postpartum Support International
  • Healthline
  • HuffPost
  • Fatherly
  • Choosing Therapy

The sooner you start,
the sooner you'll
feel like yourself again.

You've been surviving. It's time to start healing.

No commitment Β· Covered by insurance Β· Available this week

Learning resources

🍼Read our Fourth Trimester guides β†’

Often goes alongside

🌧Postpartum DepressionπŸ’­Postpartum AnxietyπŸ’‘Relationships & CouplesπŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘ΆPaternal Mental Health