Postpartum PTSD therapy in Los Angeles

Postpartum PTSD (also called birth trauma PTSD) can make you feel stuck in the moment of trauma, unable to move forward. Flashbacks, nightmares, and a constant sense of anxiety may feel like evidence that something is still wrong—even when everyone around you says you’re “fine.”

In case you are new here, I’m Karla Hernandez, a maternal mental health therapist specializing in postpartum PTSD therapy. If you’re struggling with birth trauma, panic attacks, or overwhelming fear after giving birth, you are not alone.

As a therapist for new moms in Los Angeles , I help mothers process their trauma, regain a sense of safety, and find relief from the emotional and physical distress of postpartum PTSD.

Postpartum PTSD therapy helps mothers process and heal from the traumatic experiences surrounding birth, medical interventions, or unexpected postpartum complications.

• Unlike postpartum depression, which often involves sadness and disconnection, postpartum PTSD is rooted in trauma—meaning the brain and body continue to react as if the danger is still present.
• Many mothers with postpartum PTSD experience:
• Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories of a traumatic birth or postpartum experience
• Panic attacks or extreme anxiety triggered by medical settings, newborn care, or memories of the event
• Feeling detached or emotionally numb, as if they are watching their life from the outside
• Avoiding doctors, hospitals, or even talking about the birth because it feels too overwhelming
• Hypervigilance—always on edge, waiting for something bad to happen
• Feeling unsafe, even in situations where they logically know they are okay

If these symptoms sound familiar, therapy can help you process your experience and regain control over your emotions.

If you’re experiencing postpartum PTSD, you may notice:

• Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks or intrusive memories
• Avoidance of medical settings, doctors, or anything that reminds you of the birth
• Feeling emotionally disconnected from yourself, your baby, or your loved ones
• Intense fear that something bad will happen to your baby
• Difficulty sleeping due to nightmares or constant hyper-awareness
• A sense of detachment, as if you’re “going through the motions” but not fully present
• Irritability, anger, or extreme emotional reactions that feel out of control

These reactions are not a sign of weakness—they are a natural response to trauma. With the right support, you can break free from survival mode and begin to heal.

Birth trauma and postpartum PTSD can feel similar, but there’s a key difference:

• Birth trauma is an emotional response to a distressing birth experience that may cause sadness, grief, or anxiety.
• Postpartum PTSD occurs when trauma symptoms—like flashbacks, avoidance, and hypervigilance—interfere with daily life and make it feel impossible to move forward.

If you can’t stop replaying the birth, avoid anything that reminds you of it, or feel constantly on edge, postpartum PTSD therapy can help.

My approach to postpartum PTSD therapy in Los Angeles is trauma-informed, compassionate, and evidence-based. Together, we will focus on:

• Helping you process the traumatic event in a way that feels safe
• Releasing stored trauma in the body through nervous system regulation
• Reducing flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance with proven therapy techniques
• Identifying triggers and creating coping strategies to regain control
• Reconnecting with yourself, your baby, and your body in a way that feels empowering

I use a combination of:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help you make sense of your traumatic experience
• Somatic therapy techniques to help regulate your nervous system and reduce physical stress responses
• Mindfulness and grounding techniques to manage anxiety and panic symptoms

Healing from postpartum PTSD is not about erasing what happened—it’s about learning how to live without fear and reclaiming your sense of safety.

Every mother’s experience is different, but therapy may include:

• Processing the traumatic birth experience in a safe, controlled way
• Understanding and reducing triggers that cause flashbacks or panic attacks
• Releasing trauma stored in the body through nervous system regulation
• Rebuilding emotional connection with your baby, body, and loved ones
• Creating strategies to navigate medical settings, follow-ups, or future pregnancies

Therapy provides a safe place to unpack the trauma, process it at your own pace, and start feeling like yourself again.

• Practice grounding techniques—deep breathing, sensory exercises, and mindfulness can help in moments of distress
• Talk about your experience—trauma thrives in silence, but sharing can help you process what happened
• Identify and avoid unnecessary triggers—but work on processing the unavoidable ones in therapy
• Prioritize body-based healing—trauma isn’t just in your mind, it’s in your body, too
• Consider professional support—healing from PTSD doesn’t have to be done alone

If you are struggling, seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward reclaiming your peace and power.