Licensed Perinatal OCD Therapists
Postpartum OCD Treatment in Indianapolis for Intrusive Thoughts and Anxiety
Evidence-based postpartum OCD treatment for intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and obsessive fears after having a baby using CBT, I-CBT, ERP, and ACT. We offer in-person therapy in Indianapolis and secure online therapy across Indiana.
- My mind is constantly racing with worries about my baby’s safety and my ability to be a good parent.
- I feel overwhelmed and exhausted, like I’m running on empty every day.
- I question every decision I make, what if I do something wrong?
- I feel pressure to be the “perfect” mom, but I’m silently struggling.
- I can’t shake this sense of dread or panic, even when everything seems fine.
- I feel distant from the people around me, even the ones I love the most.
Intrusive Thoughts After Having a Baby
Many new parents experience unwanted, distressing thoughts—such as fears of accidentally or intentionally harming their baby. These intrusive thoughts are a common symptom of postpartum OCD and do not reflect your intentions or character. However, they can feel intense, frightening, and difficult to dismiss.
Therapy focuses on helping you respond differently to these thoughts so they lose their intensity and impact over time. Instead of trying to eliminate the thoughts, treatment helps you build tolerance for uncertainty and reduce the compulsive behaviors that keep anxiety going.
At Sommer Psychology Group, we use evidence-based therapy to help new and expecting parents respond differently to intrusive thoughts, reducing distress and building confidence and connection with their baby..
Postpartum OCD Treatment in Indianapolis
Postpartum OCD vs Postpartum Anxiety
It can be difficult to tell the difference between postpartum OCD and postpartum anxiety. While both involve high levels of worry and distress, postpartum OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety.
Postpartum anxiety often involves excessive worry about your baby’s health, safety, or development, while postpartum OCD includes repetitive, distressing thoughts and urges that feel out of alignment with who you are.
An accurate diagnosis is important, as postpartum OCD responds best to specialized, evidence-based treatments.
Treatment for perinatal anxiety & OCD can prevent you from missing out on the joys of parenthood.
Evidence-Based Treatment for Postpartum OCD
At Sommer Psychology Group, we use gold-standard, evidence-based therapies to treat postpartum and perinatal OCD.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) helps you gradually face intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsions, allowing your brain to learn that these thoughts are not dangerous.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you change your relationship with intrusive thoughts so they have less control over your behavior, while increasing your ability to act in alignment with your values.
Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) targets the underlying doubt and reasoning patterns that drive OCD, helping you disengage from the cycle of obsession and uncertainty.
These approaches work together to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and help you feel more present and connected as a parent.
Postpartum OCD TreAtment in Indianapolis
Get Specialized Help for Postpartum OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
If you are struggling with postpartum OCD, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts after having a baby, you are not alone—and effective help is available.
At Sommer Psychology Group, we provide specialized postpartum OCD therapy in Indianapolis using evidence-based approaches like ERP, ACT, and ICBT. Our goal is to help you feel more confident, reduce distress, and reconnect with what matters most.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how postpartum OCD treatment can help you move forward.
Postpartum anxiety often involves excessive worry about your baby’s health, safety, or development, while postpartum OCD includes repetitive, distressing thoughts and urges that feel out of alignment with who you are.
An accurate diagnosis is important, as postpartum OCD responds best to specialized, evidence-based treatments.
Meet Our Perinatal OCD Specialist
Working with a therapist who understands postpartum OCD can make all the difference in your recovery. Katie is a specialist at Sommer Psychology Group with advanced training in OCD and perinatal mental health, and she tailors treatment to the unique emotional and psychological challenges of pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Katie understands how isolating and distressing intrusive thoughts can feel, especially during a time that is often expected to feel joyful. She provides a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly, reduce shame, and begin to feel more like yourself again as you learn practical tools to manage OCD symptoms.
How Our Postpartum Thearpy Works
Our approach to postpartum OCD treatment is compassionate, structured, and evidence-based, designed to help you find relief and regain a sense of calm and confidence.
We begin with a thorough assessment to understand what you’re going through, whether it’s persistent worry, intrusive thoughts, panic symptoms, or difficulty adjusting to parenthood. This helps us get a clear picture of how anxiety is showing up in your life and informs a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Together, we create a customized plan that addresses your specific challenges. Whether you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts, emotional overwhelm, sleep issues, or avoidance behaviors, we’ll outline a step-by-step path to support your healing and well-being.
You’ll learn practical, research-backed strategies to manage anxiety, respond to distressing thoughts with more ease, and reconnect with your values as a parent and individual. Treatment may include individual therapy, self-compassion work, mindfulness, and support with routines and emotional regulation. The goal is to help you feel grounded, capable, and more connected to both yourself and your baby.
Postpartum OCD Treatment in Indianapolis
Questions about Postpartum OCD Therapy
Can postpartum anxiety & OCD be treated or cured?
While postpartum OCD isn’t something that’s “cured” in a single moment, it can absolutely be treated and managed effectively with the right support. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and in some cases medication (such as SSRIs prescribed under medical supervision) have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms. Treatment focuses on helping you understand the patterns behind your anxiety, develop healthier ways to respond to distressing thoughts, and reconnect with your sense of confidence and calm. With support that’s tailored to your unique experience, recovery is not only possible, it’s expected.
How can I stop postpartum OCD from taking over my life?
The key to managing postpartum OCD is learning practical coping strategies tailored to the unique challenges of pregnancy and early parenthood. Therapy can provide tools to build self-compassion, strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and regulate overwhelming emotions. Techniques such as mindfulness, gentle cognitive reframing, relaxation exercises, and gradually facing feared situations can help you regain a sense of control, so anxiety doesn’t interfere with caring for your baby or enjoying daily life.
What causes postpartum OCD? Why am I feeling so anxious?
Postpartum OCD is complex and usually arises from a combination of factors. These can include hormonal changes during pregnancy and postpartum, genetics, a family history of anxiety, past trauma, chronic stress, and the major life transition of becoming a parent. Perfectionism, low self-esteem, and changes in brain chemistry can also contribute. Additionally, conditions like OCD or other mental health challenges may play a role. Understanding the unique factors behind your anxiety is an important first step toward finding the right treatment and support.
Why can’t I just relax during pregnancy or after birth?
Finding it hard to relax is common with perinatal anxiety and often linked to chronic stress, perfectionism, and the overwhelming demands of new parenthood. Hormonal changes and constant alertness to your baby’s needs can trigger a heightened state of arousal, making your mind race and rest feel out of reach. Negative thought patterns, disrupted sleep, and the busy pace of life as a new parent can make it even harder to calm down. Through gentle, supportive therapy, you can learn effective ways to manage these challenges and nurture a greater sense of peace and relaxation.
How can I support my relationship while managing postpartum OCD?
Postpartum OCD can place stress on your relationship, but open communication and mutual understanding are key to staying connected. At Sommer Psychology Group, we offer both individual counseling and couples-focused counseling where you can explore challenges together, improve communication, and strengthen your partnership during this time. Learning healthy coping strategies as a team can build resilience and deepen your connection as you navigate parenthood together.
How long will it take to feel better from postpartum OCD?
Every person’s experience with postpartum OCD is different, but many begin to notice relief after just a few sessions. Treatment plans often span around 12 weeks, though with focused, specialized therapy, you may start feeling better sooner. The goal is to equip you with lasting skills to manage symptoms throughout pregnancy, the postpartum period, and beyond, helping you feel more confident and calm as a parent.
Have More Questions?
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Perinatal Anxiety & OCD Treatment In Indianapolis
Sommer Psychology Group
With the right support, relief from postpartum OCD is within reach.
