EMDR, CBT, and More: Therapy Options for Postpartum Trauma
Introduction
Bringing a baby into the world is often described as magical — but for many parents, the experience can also be deeply overwhelming, frightening, or even traumatic. Postpartum trauma doesn’t always look like what you’d expect. It might stem from a difficult birth, an unexpected medical complication, NICU stays, loss, or simply from the emotional and physical toll of new parenthood.
If you’re struggling after birth, you're not alone — and more importantly, help is available. Therapy can be a powerful tool for healing, and today, we'll explore some of the most effective options for treating postpartum trauma, including EMDR, CBT, and other evidence-based approaches.
At Mountain Brow Counselling, our therapists have helped many women navigate their postpartum experience, and everyone has a different story to tell.
Understanding Postpartum Trauma
Postpartum trauma is a form of psychological distress that can develop after childbirth, especially when the experience feels out of control, painful, or frightening. It may present as:
Flashbacks or nightmares about the birth
Avoidance of reminders (like hospitals or even your baby’s cries)
Heightened anxiety or panic
Irritability, guilt, or emotional numbness
Trouble bonding with the baby
Depression or suicidal thoughts
This can occur alongside or be mistaken for postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, but trauma has unique features and may require different treatment strategies.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the most commonly recommended therapies for a wide range of mental health concerns, including postpartum trauma.
How It Works:
CBT helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours that are reinforcing your distress. For example, if you’re constantly thinking, “I failed at childbirth,” CBT can help you reframe this belief and reduce the emotional weight it carries.
What to Expect:
A structured, goal-oriented approach
Worksheets, homework, and tools for coping
Techniques for calming anxiety and improving mood
Good For:
Parents experiencing intrusive thoughts, guilt, or depressive thinking
Those who want a practical, skills-based approach
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR is a somewhat lesser-known but highly effective therapy for trauma, particularly for people who feel “stuck” reliving a traumatic event.
How It Works:
EMDR helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories so they no longer feel as emotionally charged. This is done by stimulating both sides of the brain (often through guided eye movements or tapping) while recalling distressing events in a safe, therapeutic setting.
What to Expect:
Less talking than traditional therapy
Reprocessing specific traumatic memories, whether related to pregnancy or birth or memories from childhood that are resurfacing postpartum
Fast results for many clients, sometimes in just a few sessions
Good For:
Birth trauma
Those who feel like talking alone isn’t helping
Parents with PTSD-like symptoms
Other Helpful Therapy Approaches
While CBT and EMDR are often go-to treatments, there are other valuable options:
1. ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Focuses on accepting difficult feelings and committing to values-driven action (like parenting with compassion, even when overwhelmed).
2. Brainspotting
Brainspotting can help with perinatal trauma by accessing and processing deeply held emotional and somatic memories, allowing healing from birth-related or pregnancy-related distress that traditional talk therapy may struggle to reach.
3. Narrative Therapy
Helps you reshape the story you tell yourself about your birth or early parenting experience.
4. Internal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) can help with perinatal trauma by guiding individuals to understand and heal the different parts of themselves that hold fear, grief, or shame related to pregnancy, birth, or early parenting experiences.
How to Choose the Right Therapy for You
Every parent’s experience is unique, and so is your healing journey. Here are a few tips for choosing a therapy approach:
Start with your symptoms. Are you struggling with flashbacks? Anxiety? Detachment? That can guide the therapy style.
Consider your comfort level. Do you prefer talking through things or more experiential therapies?
Check credentials. Look for therapists with experience in perinatal mental health and trauma.
Don’t be afraid to try more than one approach. Healing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your therapist is there to guide you.
You Deserve Support
Postpartum trauma doesn’t make you a bad parent — it makes you human. Trauma isn’t about weakness; it’s about how our bodies and minds respond to overwhelming experiences. With the right support, healing is not only possible, it’s probable.
Whether through EMDR, CBT, or another form of therapy, reclaiming your peace and connection with your baby is within reach. You don’t have to walk this path alone.
If you are in Ontario and looking for support around this topic, you can book a free consultation with one of our therapists today, and you can get the support you need.
