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πŸ’­Postpartum Anxiety

Postpartum Anxiety therapy covered by Cigna

"I can't relax. I'm constantly waiting for something to go wrong."

Postpartum anxiety affects roughly 15–20% of new mothers, yet is often under-diagnosed.

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“Your mind won't stop running through worst-case scenarios, especially about the baby
  • βœ“You're exhausted but lying awake checking the baby monitor, or you can't fall asleep even when you have the chance
  • βœ“You feel physical symptoms β€” racing heart, tight chest, nausea, jaw clenching β€” that don't match what's actually happening
  • βœ“You can't hand the baby to anyone else without feeling panicked
  • βœ“You're researching dangers, illnesses, or rare risks late at night and can't stop
  • βœ“People keep telling you to relax and it makes you want to scream
Dr. Emily Guarnotta

Dr. Emily Guarnotta

Psychologist & Founder

From our founder

Anxiety in the postpartum period gets dismissed all the time. People hear that you're worried about the baby and they nod and say of course you are. But there's a difference between healthy concern and a mind that won't stop. I tell my clients that anxiety this loud is a signal, not a personality trait, and it does quiet down with the right work.

What therapy looks like

Therapy for postpartum anxiety usually combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with practical tools for the body, since anxiety lives in the nervous system as much as in the thoughts. Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification and are trained specifically in perinatal anxiety, not just general anxiety. Early sessions focus on understanding your specific worry patterns and the moments anxiety spikes. From there, the work often includes cognitive restructuring (learning to question the thoughts that fuel the spiral), exposure work for things you've been avoiding, and somatic strategies for calming a body that has been on alert for months. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is also a strong fit for parents whose worries center on the baby's safety, because it helps you live alongside uncertainty without being run by it. You can usually expect to feel some relief in the first 4 to 6 weeks, with more lasting change over 3 to 4 months. If symptoms are severe, your therapist may suggest coordinating with a prescriber, since SSRIs are a first-line treatment and can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding for many people.

Our Postpartum Anxiety 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.

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β€œ"I was fine on paper but my jaw was clenched from morning to bedtime and I didn't notice until my dentist asked if I was grinding my teeth. My therapist helped me understand my body had been in alarm mode for months. Learning to come down from that took time, but I finally knew what I was dealing with."”

β€” mom of 1

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β€œThe anxiety didn't look like crying. It looked like researching every possible thing that could go wrong, canceling plans because I couldn't manage the variables, and snapping at my partner because I was running on adrenaline 24 hours a day. My therapist helped me name it and interrupt it. I feel like I got my brain back.”

β€” mom of 1

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œI couldn't put my son down without panicking. I'd check that he was breathing every few minutes through the night. My husband thought I was being a good mom. I knew something was wrong. My therapist helped me see the difference between vigilance and anxiety, and gave me tools to quiet the spiral. I sleep now. That alone changed everything.”

β€” mom of 2

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

β€œI was so vigilant I couldn't sit on the couch. I'd check the monitor every two minutes and still feel like I was failing. My therapist helped me see that my brain was stuck in a pattern, not telling me the truth. The shaking in my hands stopped first. Then the 3 a.m. spirals.”

β€” Megan, 4 months 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 Postpartum Anxiety 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

  • Postpartum anxiety often shows up as racing thoughts, constant worry about your baby's safety, an inability to relax, physical symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath, and feeling like something terrible is about to happen. It can be harder to recognize than postpartum depression because hypervigilance after having a baby can seem 'normal.'
  • Postpartum anxiety affects roughly 15–20% of new mothers β€” making it actually more common than postpartum depression. It is also underdiagnosed because parents and providers may mistake heightened worry for normal new-parent behavior.
  • Evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps interrupt catastrophic thinking cycles, and mindfulness-based approaches. In some cases, medication may be recommended alongside therapy. A PMH-C certified therapist can help design the right approach for you.
  • All new parents worry. Postpartum anxiety is when the worry stops being useful and starts running your life. Sleep is disrupted, your body feels keyed up, you avoid things you used to do, or you can't enjoy the moments that should feel good. If worry is taking up more of your day than your baby is, it's time for support.
  • Anxiety is a full-body experience. Your nervous system has been on high alert, often for months, and it shows up physically before it shows up as a clear thought. That's part of why therapy for postpartum anxiety includes body-based tools, not just talk.
  • They overlap but aren't the same. Postpartum anxiety is broad worry, physical symptoms, and general dread. Postpartum OCD includes specific, intrusive, often disturbing thoughts that feel stuck and lead to compulsive behaviors like checking, researching, or avoidance. If you're having scary thoughts you're ashamed of, that's worth telling your therapist directly so they can choose the right approach.
  • Often, yes. Many people recover with therapy alone, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate. For severe anxiety or panic, medication can take the edge off enough that the therapy work becomes possible. Your therapist will help you weigh that choice with a prescriber if it comes up.

From the Phoenix Health resource center

Articles and guides about postpartum anxiety

The Best Books on Postpartum Mental Health (For Every Stage of New Parenthood)

The right book at the right stage of postpartum can change everything. Here are the books the perinatal mental health community actually recommends, organized by where you are in the experience.

Read article β†’

Transitioning from One Child to Two: Preparing for the Emotional Shift

You're staring at the positive pregnancy test, and instead of pure joy, you feel something closer to panic. Will I love them the same? Am I ruining my first child's life? How will I manage two kids when one already feels overwhelming?

Read article β†’

What is Postpartum Depersonalization and Derealization? A Guide to That "Out of Body" Feeling

Do you ever feel like you’re not quite real? Like you’re watching your life as a movie instead of living it? Maybe you look in the mirror and don’t recognize the person staring back, or the world around you seems foggy, distant, and strange. If you’re having these feelings after giving birth, it can…

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

πŸ’­Read our Postpartum Anxiety guides β†’

Often goes alongside

🌧Postpartum Depression🌊Perinatal AnxietyπŸ”Perinatal OCD & Intrusive ThoughtsπŸ”₯Parental Burnout