Maternal Mental Health Therapy in Santa Monica

Birth Feelings is a perinatal mental health practice in Santa Monica, California, led by Dr. Rebecca Branda, a licensed clinical psychologist. We work with women through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum years, and with mothers navigating ADHD. Therapy here draws on EMDR, trauma-informed care, and CBT. ADHD assessments are also available for adults who want formal clarity. Sessions are offered in person in Santa Monica and online across California and Illinois.

Birth trauma is a psychological response to a birth experience that felt frightening, out of control, or overwhelming, regardless of the medical outcome. It can show up in subtle ways. Maybe you find yourself replaying moments from your birth. Maybe you feel numb or disconnected when the subject comes up. Maybe you're struggling to bond with your baby, or noticing that something feels unresolved weeks or months later. It can happen after any type of birth, including births that were medically successful.

Yes. Birth Feelings offers telehealth therapy for clients located anywhere in California. In-person sessions are available at the Santa Monica office. Birth Trauma Coaching is available to clients anywhere in the United States.

The baby blues are a common, short-term emotional adjustment affecting many women in the first one to two weeks after birth. They typically include tearfulness, mood fluctuations, and mild anxiety, and they resolve on their own. Postpartum depression is different. It is more intense, lasts longer, and interferes with daily functioning. If feelings of sadness, disconnection, guilt, or anxiety persist beyond two weeks or feel overwhelming at any point, reaching out to a perinatal mental health specialist is the right step.

No. Many women who work with Birth Feelings come without a formal ADHD diagnosis. What brings them is recognition: a set of patterns that finally sounds like their experience. If you've spent years feeling constantly behind, overwhelmed, or like the demands of motherhood are harder for you than for others, that's a valid place to begin. Birth Feelings offers ADHD assessment if you'd like formal clarity, but it isn't required to start therapy.

Dr. Rebecca Branda is an out-of-network provider. At the end of each month, you will receive a superbill to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.

Rate Accommodations Insurance companies may recognize perinatal and women’s mental health, particularly the intersection of ADHD and maternal mental health, as a highly specialized field. They may reimburse you up to 100% of the cost of treatment if they agree there is not an in-network provider who can reasonably provide the specialized care you need.

Birth Feelings is committed to helping you understand your coverage so that you feel comfortable making the financial commitment to therapy. Helpful questions to ask include:

• Does my plan include out-of-network coverage for mental health?
• What is my out-of-network outpatient mental health services annual deductible? And what portion of that deductible have I met this year?
• What is your usual rate for an individual therapy session for a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles?
• What percentage of an individual $300 session with an out-of-network provider do you cover?
• Are there any annual session limits?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

The first step is a free 15-minute consultation. You can schedule directly through the booking link on this page. During that conversation, you'll have the chance to share what you're navigating and ask any questions about the practice or process. From there, we'll determine whether Birth Feelings is the right fit and discuss next steps.