Back-to-School Anxiety: When Parents Feel It Too

Every September, kids all over head back to school with new backpacks, sharpened pencils, and a mix of excitement and nerves. But what often goes unspoken is that the anxiety of this transition isn’t only felt by children; sometimes it’s carried by parents, too.

Whether it’s kindergarten drop-off, starting middle school, or entering a brand-new high school, many parents quietly wrestle with their own version of back-to-school jitters.

When Joy Feels Out of Reach: Understanding Postpartum Mood Disorders

Bringing a new life into the world is often portrayed as one of the most joyful times in a person's life. Baby showers, heartfelt congratulations, and social media posts filled with smiling newborns paint a picture of bliss and bonding. But for many new parents, especially mothers, this season of life doesn’t feel like the fairytale it’s expected to be. Instead, it can feel isolating, overwhelming, and dark. When joy feels out of reach after childbirth, postpartum mood disorders may be the reason—and it’s time we talk about them more openly.

How Partners Can Support Mothers During the Postpartum Period

The postpartum period—those first few weeks and months after childbirth—is a time of tremendous change, healing, and adjustment for new mothers. While the baby often becomes the center of attention, it’s essential not to overlook the needs of the mother. This is where a supportive partner can make all the difference.

Sleep, Hormones, and Emotions: How They’re All Connected

If you’ve ever felt irritable after a poor night’s sleep or found yourself crying at a commercial during a sleepless week, you already know—sleep and emotions are closely intertwined. But what’s really going on beneath the surface? The answer lies in hormones. These tiny chemical messengers play a major role in regulating both our sleep patterns and our emotional responses. Understanding the triangle of sleep, hormones, and emotions can help you take better control of your health, mood, and overall well-being.

Managing Guilt and Expectations in Early Motherhood

Guilt thrives in silence and comparison. But when you start to question the expectations, speak openly about the struggles, and practice self-compassion, the guilt begins to loosen its grip.

Early motherhood is hard. It’s also beautiful, strange, sacred, messy, and full of contradictions. Let yourself feel all of it. You’re not failing—you’re just human. And that’s more than enough.

"When You’re Snapping More Than Usual: How Therapy Can Help Moms Manage Irritability"

Motherhood is often described as beautiful, fulfilling, and full of love. But if we’re being honest, it can also be exhausting, relentless, and — let’s just say it — irritating. If you’ve found yourself snapping more than usual, getting overwhelmed by the sound of whining or mess, or fantasizing about running away for some peace and quiet — you’re not alone.

At Mountain Brow Counselling, we see you. And we’re here to help.

Becoming a mother is often portrayed as a blissful, magical experience. The image of cradling your newborn and feeling an overwhelming sense of love is deeply ingrained in societal expectations. Yet, the reality of motherhood—especially during the first year—can be far more complex and overwhelming. Amid the sleepless nights, endless feedings, and emotional rollercoasters, new moms frequently find themselves struggling with their mental health, and one powerful yet often overlooked tool in navigating this new terrain is talk therapy.

Guest Blog: An Interview with Christine Bibby, a mental health therapist specializing in EMDR, perimenopause and menopause, perinatal mental health and grief.