When the Perinatal Journey Feels Overwhelming
The transition to parenthood brings significant emotional, physical, and hormonal shifts. Experiencing anxiety, depressive symptoms, or overwhelming stress during pregnancy and postpartum is common, yet often under-discussed, particularly for those who conceived after fertility treatments.
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders affect roughly 1 in 5 new mothers. I am Dr. Karen Hall, a clinical psychologist in San Diego providing targeted, evidence-based care to help parents navigate pregnancy, birth recovery, and early parenthood.
How We Work Together
My approach balances deep empathy with practical tools, helping you feel supported and equipped through this intense season.
An Unfiltered Space:
A non-judgmental environment where you can express mixed emotions, frustration, or exhaustion without guilt.
Perinatal Psychology Expertise:
Specialized care tailored to the psychological realities of pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, and parenting after infertility.
Practical Coping Tools:
Actionable methods to stabilize mood swings, protect your sleep, manage overwhelm, and maintain a healthy partnership.
Common Signs You Might Need Support
You feel disconnect or guilt:
Expecting pure happiness, but finding yourself struggling with persistent sadness or detachment.
Your mind won't stop racing:
Constant worry about the baby's safety, sleep schedule, or your parenting ability keeps you on edge.
Exhaustion is overwhelming:
Sleep deprivation combined with endless caregiving leaves you running on empty.
Hormonal shifts feel extreme:
Unpredictable tearfulness or sudden irritability makes it hard to feel like yourself.
You feel isolated in your experience:
It looks like everyone else adjusted seamlessly, making you feel lonely in your struggle.
How to Get Started
Initial Consultation
We start with a complimentary phone consultation to see whether we are a good fit and talk through your goals.
Begin Counseling
We meet regularly, building tools to steady your mood, care for yourself, and adjust to this new season.
What You Can Gain in Therapy
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Sustainable ways to navigate mood fluctuations and stress alongside hormonal shifts.
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Tools to foster closeness with your partner and reduce relationship strain during early parenthood.
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Permission to prioritize rest and self-care without feeling guilty.
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Strategies to improve physical rest and maximize the benefit of the sleep you do get.
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A dedicated, confidential setting to process your identity shift into parenthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dr. Karen Hall
Dr. Karen Hall is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of The Center for Infertility Counseling and Support in San Diego, CA. Specializing in reproductive and perinatal psychology, she helps clients navigate pregnancy, postpartum mood shifts, and the transition into parenthood, especially following fertility challenges. She provides therapy in-person in San Diego and via telehealth throughout California.
“Hi Dr. Hall! I meant to message you sooner after the birth of our baby boy, but was just thinking about you and some of the key points we talked about in therapy. I’ve taken much of that into my first months of parenthood and returned to it time and time again… just wanted you to know our time together has been invaluable to ushering me into parenthood after infertility.” Fertility Client 2023