Compassionate perinatal and postpartum therapy in Los Angeles

Motherhood is messy, magical, and maddening—and if you’re in the thick of it in Los Angeles, you're not alone. At Alma de Madre, we offer compassionate perinatal and postpartum therapy for women navigating the exhaustion, identity shifts, and silent struggles that often come with becoming a mom. Whether you're healing from a traumatic birth, grieving a loss, or just trying to stay afloat in the chaos of new motherhood, we’re here to remind you: you matter too.

How it works

01

Book a consultation call

We start by meeting you exactly where you are—raw, exhausted, and real. Our work together is built on honesty, compassion, and validation, not pressure to “bounce back.” This is therapy designed for mothers who are done pretending everything is fine.

02

Let’s meet where you are

Sessions are offered virtually for maximum flexibility, because we know carving out time between naps, nursing, and survival is already hard enough.

03

Start healing and thriving in your motherhood

We don’t believe in quick fixes—we believe in holding space for your rage, grief, guilt, and love. Our goal is to help you find clarity, rest, and self-compassion so you can move through motherhood with more ease and less shame.

Explore our therapy services and specializations

  • Perinatal and postpartum therapy

    We help mothers at every stage—pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond—navigate the mental and emotional shifts that come with motherhood. You don’t have to do it alone or pretend it’s all bliss. We offer a space to process it all, honestly.

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  • Postpartum depression

    Postpartum depression is more than just “baby blues.” If you’re feeling numb, overwhelmed, or hopeless, this space is for you. We support women through the darkest parts of postpartum with compassion and evidence-based care.

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  • Pregnancy therapy

    Whether this is your first pregnancy or your fifth, therapy can help you process anxiety, fears, and the identity shifts that start long before birth. You don’t need a crisis to deserve support.

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  • Postpartum anxiety

    If your mind races with worst-case scenarios, and you feel stuck in constant panic or hypervigilance, you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety. You’re not broken—and you don’t have to live like this.

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  • Postpartum PTSD

    Birth doesn’t always go as planned. If you feel haunted by your experience, triggered by reminders, or avoid speaking about it at all, you might be living with postpartum PTSD. We help you process trauma in a safe, validating space.

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  • Birth trauma

    Even medically “normal” births can be traumatic. We offer space to explore what you went through, without judgment or minimization, so your healing can begin.

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  • Pregnancy loss therapy

    Grief in motherhood is real. Whether you’ve experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination, we honor your loss with tenderness and care.

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I serve women in Los Angeles

Whether you're in Highland Park, Echo Park, Silver Lake, or anywhere in the greater LA area, Alma de Madre provides virtual therapy for new mothers who are ready to be honest about how hard this season really is. We understand the unique pressures of parenting in a fast-paced, high-expectation city like Los Angeles—and we’re here to help you carve out space for yourself.

Testimonials

Karla is a great clinician with years of experience. Her trauma focus highlights every aspect of her work with mothers in perinatal and postnatal work as well as the LatinX community. She deeply cares for her clients growth and is supportive in their healing work. She is a highly skilled and trained clinician mastering the art of using evidence based practices whilst also considering individual perspectives. 

Yeniss Paez, LCSW

I’ve had the honor and privilege of working side by side with Karla Hernandez. Getting to know her has been such an honor. She is committed to helping her clients with a nonjudgmental approach, working through trauma of all kinds. Being a birth doula I know how important it is, speaking with someone to improve material outcomes. Karla is key and is committed to helping her clients overcome trauma and grow.

Michelle Wilkerson, Birth and Postpartum Doula

Karla is a compassionate and dedicated maternal mental health therapist. She has worked diligently with clients in all paths of life and thrives particularly working with mothers. If you are looking for a therapist that understands the unique needs women face navigating the postpartum period and beyond, she is your go to resource. 

Priscilla Gomez, LCSW

Hello, I’m Karla Michele Hernandez, your postpartum therapist in Los Angeles

I’m not just a therapist—I’m a mom who’s been where you are. After navigating my own postpartum experience and realizing how lonely and under-supported it felt, I created Alma de Madre to be the kind of space I wish I had. I specialize in helping moms through postpartum depression, anxiety, birth trauma, and identity loss—so you don’t have to carry it all alone. Healing starts when you stop pretending and start being real.

Frequently asked questions

  • Insurance & Payment Information

    I accept Cigna and Aetna insurance.


    I also take out of network/self pay at my private pay rate. I currently partner with Mentaya, a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy session though out of network benefits. 


    See if you qualify:

    https://mentaya.co/checkbenefits/karlahernandez 


    Payments can be made through credit card and debit card, including FSA and HSA debit cards.

  • Cancellation Policy

    I understand that life happens—especially in motherhood. However, to respect both my time and other clients who may need an appointment, I require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling.

    Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the appointment will be subject to the full session fee.


    If you miss a session without notice (no-show), you will be responsible for the full cost of the session.


    Exceptions may be made in cases of emergencies, but please reach out as soon as possible if you need to reschedule.

    If you need to cancel or reschedule, you can do so by contacting me via karla@almademadre.com or my phone number 562-457-0466


  • Good Faith Estimate

    You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost

       

    Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.

       

    You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

       

    Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

       

    If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

       

    Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

       

    For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059