Perinatal and postpartum therapy in Santa Barbara, CA when the beauty around you doesn’t match how you feel inside

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

I don’t expect you to have it all together. You can show up to therapy exhausted, angry, unsure, or numb—and you’ll still be welcomed with compassion. I hold space for the parts of you that feel invisible.

02

Let’s meet where you are

Virtual therapy means you don’t need to leave the house, find childcare, or push yourself past your limit. Whether you're breastfeeding, crying, or both—I’ll meet you there.

03

Start healing and thriving in your motherhood

We’ll move gently, together. This work isn’t about perfection—it’s about making space for your full humanity, so you can begin to feel more grounded, more whole, and more you again.

Explore our therapy services and specializations

  • Perinatal and postpartum therapy

    Motherhood is a transformation, and it doesn’t always feel beautiful while you’re living it. I help you process what’s shifting—emotionally, mentally, and relationally—so you don’t have to carry it all alone.

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  • Postpartum depression

    If you feel empty, disconnected, or like you're just going through the motions—I see you. This isn’t about snapping out of it. It’s about creating space to feel what’s real and begin healing.

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  • Pregnancy therapy

    Pregnancy is often filled with pressure to be excited—even when what you’re actually feeling is fear, sadness, or confusion. I offer therapy that honors your emotional reality without sugarcoating it.

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  • Postpartum anxiety

     If your mind won’t stop racing and you’re constantly on edge, I help you learn how to regulate your nervous system and find peace, one breath at a time.

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  • Postpartum PTSD

    If you feel triggered, avoid certain conversations, or can’t stop replaying parts of your birth or postpartum experience, you might be carrying trauma. I offer safe, trauma-informed support to help you process it.

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  • Birth trauma

    Even when the outcome looks “healthy” on the outside, your body and heart might be telling a different story. I help you make sense of what happened and begin the work of repair.

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  • Pregnancy loss therapy

    Grieving a pregnancy loss can feel like walking through fog. I offer therapy for miscarriage, stillbirth, and other losses with tenderness and space for your full emotional truth.

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I serve women in Santa Barbara and the Central Coast

I support moms across Santa Barbara and surrounding areas like Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito, and Isla Vista. Whether you’re a first-time mom navigating the unknown or a seasoned parent dealing with layered emotions, my virtual sessions provide a grounded space to talk through it all—without needing to leave your home.

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

Hi, I’m Karla Michele Hernandez, postpartum therapist in Santa Barbara, CA

I created Alma de Madre to be a place where mothers could speak the truth and still be held with love. I’ve lived through the unraveling that can happen in the postpartum season, and I now help women who are navigating their own. Whether you're dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, loss, or simply the disorientation that comes with motherhood, I’m here to support you with honesty, care, and deep respect for everything you’re holding.

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