Pregnancy doesn't always look the way people say it will.
Therapists in El Paso, Texas
"I'm pregnant and I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel."
+9 moreNo commitment. We'll confirm your coverage before your first session.
Virtual therapy for El Paso families
El Paso sits 800 miles from Houston, closer to Los Angeles than to Dallas, in the far western corner of a state that often forgets it. The city is majority Latino, has a large active-duty military population at Fort Bliss, and has a mental health infrastructure that reflects its geography and its funding: limited perinatal specialists, long wait times, and a cultural expectation in both Mexican-American and military communities that you handle things inside the family. Postpartum depression and perinatal anxiety don't respond to that expectation. They also don't respond to the geographic reality of being in one of the most isolated large cities in the country. A PMH-C certified therapist within reasonable driving distance is genuinely hard to find in El Paso. Most families end up on wait lists, or going without, or navigating care across the border, which is its own logistical complexity. William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) is the primary military healthcare facility at Fort Bliss. Military families dealing with postpartum or perinatal mental health can access TRICARE-covered telehealth, which removes the wait and the drive. Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification and typically see El Paso clients within one week of intake, by secure video. We accept TRICARE for active-duty dependents and major civilian insurance plans. For families in West El Paso, East El Paso, Horizon City, and Socorro, telehealth is the most practical path to a perinatal specialist without the wait.
El Paso neighborhoods: West El Paso · East El Paso · Northeast El Paso · Horizon City · Socorro
You might benefit from therapy if…
- ✓You're pregnant and you can't shake a low, flat, or hopeless feeling
- ✓You expected to feel excited about this baby and you feel something closer to dread or numbness
- ✓You're struggling to take care of yourself, eat, or attend prenatal appointments
- ✓You've had thoughts that you wish you weren't pregnant, or that you've made a mistake
- ✓You have a history of depression and you're worried about what comes next
- ✓You're ashamed of how you feel and you haven't told anyone, not even your partner or your OB
Dr. Emily Guarnotta
Psychologist & Founder
From our founder
I see clients during pregnancy who tell me they feel guilty for not being more excited. Pregnancy is a major mental, hormonal, and identity event, and it doesn't always feel the way the cards on the shelf promise it will. Treating prenatal depression now is one of the most protective things you can do, for yourself and for the version of you that will meet this baby.
What therapy looks like
Our Prenatal Depression specialists in El Paso, Texas
Most Phoenix Health therapists hold PMH-C certification — the gold standard in perinatal mental health.
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Tiara Okoruwa
PhD, LCSW
Tiara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas specializing in perinatal mental health, supporting expecting and new parents through anxiety, grief, and the transition to parenthood using a trauma-informed, integrative approach.
Licensed in TX
Amanda Flowers
LPC, PMH-C
Amanda is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana specializing in perinatal mental health, supporting clients through pregnancy, postpartum, and infertility using a collaborative, trauma-informed, and mind-body approach.
Licensed in TX, MT
Ashlyn Parides
PHD, PMH-C
Dr. Ashlyn is a licensed psychologist and certified perinatal mental health provider (PMH-C) in Texas, licensed to practice in over 40 states through PsyPact.
PsyPact provider — 40+ states
Real clients. Real relief.
What our clients say about their experience.
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“"I kept waiting for the joy to kick in. My pregnancy was planned, wanted, everything was normal on paper, and I spent most of it just existing. I didn't tell my midwife because I was afraid she'd think I didn't want the baby. My therapist helped me understand that depression doesn't care about your circumstances. Getting treated made my third trimester the only part I actually remember."”
— mom of 2
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“I had a wanted pregnancy that felt like a fog. I wasn't excited, I wasn't bonding, I was just getting through. I was terrified to tell anyone because I thought it meant something was wrong with me as a person, not just my brain chemistry. Therapy helped me show up for the last trimester in a way I didn't think was still possible.”
— mom of 2
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“Everyone told me pregnancy was the happiest time of their lives. I couldn't get out of bed some days. I felt guilty for not feeling what I was supposed to feel, like I was already failing before my son arrived. My therapist was the first person who didn't tell me to think positive. She helped me understand that depression doesn't take nine months off, and that I deserved support.”
— first-time mom
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“I cried every day of my second trimester and pretended I was fine at my OB visits. Once I started therapy I realized I had been depressed since the day I found out. By the time I gave birth I had tools and a therapist who already knew my whole story.”
— Marisol, 36 weeks pregnant
Expert care.
Covered in Texas.
- ✓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 Prenatal Depression 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
- Several SSRIs are considered first-line for moderate to severe depression during pregnancy. The research base is substantial, and untreated depression also carries risks, including preterm birth and postpartum depression. The decision is a conversation between you and a prescriber familiar with perinatal psychiatry. Your therapist can help coordinate that.
- Untreated, chronic, severe depression can affect pregnancy outcomes, which is why getting support matters. But the most protective thing you can do is get treatment. Reaching out is already changing the picture.
- No. Thoughts like that are common in prenatal depression and they pass with treatment. They are a symptom of how you're feeling right now, not a verdict on who you are or who you'll be as a parent.
- Yes. Untreated prenatal depression is one of the strongest predictors of postpartum depression. Addressing it now significantly reduces the risk of a harder postpartum, and it gives you tools and a relationship with a therapist in place before the baby arrives.
- Yes. Phoenix Health provides telehealth therapy to residents of Texas. 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 Texas.
- 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 prenatal depression
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 Prenatal Depression guides →Often goes alongside