Austin Postpartum Anxiety Therapist
Expert support for new moms. Struggling with constant worry, racing thoughts, or intrusive fears about your baby? You're not alone. Get expert help from a psychologist who specializes in postpartum anxiety and OCD.
PMH-C
Certified Specialist
15+
Years Experience
100%
Confidential
Dr. Jana Rundle, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Specializing in Postpartum Anxiety & OCD
Understanding Postpartum Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is one of the most common perinatal mood disorders, affecting 10-15% of new mothers in Austin and nationwide. Unlike the expected nervousness of new parenthood, postpartum anxiety involves persistent, excessive worry that interferes with your daily life and ability to enjoy motherhood.
Common Symptoms of Postpartum Anxiety
Mental Symptoms
- •Constant, racing worry about baby's safety
- •Intrusive, disturbing thoughts
- •Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- •Feeling "on edge" or unable to relax
Physical Symptoms
- •Racing heart or palpitations
- •Trouble sleeping even when baby sleeps
- •Nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath
- •Muscle tension or restlessness
Postpartum Anxiety vs Postpartum OCD: What's the Difference?
Both conditions involve intense worry, but the pattern is different—and this distinction matters for treatment.
Postpartum Anxiety
- •Constant, generalized worry about baby's safety
- •"What if something bad happens to my baby?"
- •Physical symptoms: racing heart, nausea, tension
- •Difficulty relaxing or feeling on edge
- •Worry feels excessive but somewhat rational
Postpartum OCD
- •Specific, graphic intrusive thoughts about harm
- •"What if I drop/harm/hurt my baby?"
- •Compulsive behaviors: checking, avoiding, seeking reassurance
- •Thoughts feel foreign and deeply disturbing
- •OCD cycle: thought → anxiety → compulsion → temporary relief
When to Seek Specialized OCD Treatment
If you're experiencing graphic, intrusive thoughts about harming your baby—even if they horrify you—you may have postpartum OCD instead of (or in addition to) general anxiety. Postpartum OCD requires specialized Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP) therapy.
Critical to understand: Having intrusive harm thoughts does NOT mean you will act on them. The fact that these thoughts disturb you is proof you would never want to harm your baby.
Searching for a Postpartum OCD Psychiatrist in Austin?
Most mothers who type that search are not looking for a specific license. They are looking for someone who takes intrusive thoughts seriously and knows what to do about them.
A psychiatrist (MD or DO)
A medical doctor who evaluates symptoms, prescribes medication, and manages it over time. If an SSRI is part of your plan, this is the person who writes and adjusts that prescription.
A clinical psychologist (PsyD)
A doctoral-level clinician who diagnoses and treats with therapy rather than medication. For postpartum OCD, that therapy is Exposure and Response Prevention, the first-line treatment with the strongest evidence behind it.
To be clear about who we are: Dr. Jana Rundle is a licensed clinical psychologist (PsyD, PMH-C). She is not a psychiatrist and does not prescribe medication. What she provides is the ERP and CBT that research supports as first-line care for postpartum OCD and anxiety.
If medication belongs in your plan, you do not have to choose between the two. Dr. Rundle coordinates with your OB-GYN, primary care physician, or psychiatrist so the therapy and the prescribing work together. Many mothers do best with both. If you do not yet have a prescriber, she can point you toward reproductive psychiatry options in the Austin area.
Book a Free 15-Minute ConsultationEvidence-Based Treatment for Postpartum Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you identify and change anxious thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and reduce worry. It's the gold standard treatment for postpartum anxiety with proven effectiveness.
Exposure & Response Prevention
For postpartum OCD, ERP helps you gradually face intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsive behaviors, reducing anxiety over time and restoring confidence in your ability to care for your baby.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Learn grounding techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to manage panic symptoms, reduce physical tension, and stay present rather than caught in anxious future thinking.
Helpful Resources About Postpartum Anxiety
Explore our library of articles to learn more about anxiety and find relief
The Connection Between Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Anxiety
Learn how sleep affects anxiety and strategies to break the cycle of sleep deprivation and worry.
Postpartum Anxiety Support
Discover support systems, resources, and coping strategies for managing postpartum anxiety.
The Hidden Symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety Disorders
Recognize the less obvious signs of perinatal anxiety disorders beyond typical worry.
Hormonal Fluctuations and Anxiety: What Women Need to Know
Understanding how hormonal changes impact anxiety in women, especially postpartum.
Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times
Evidence-based techniques for managing anxiety during stressful and uncertain periods.
Understanding the Maternal Mental Health Crisis
The state of maternal mental health care in America and resources available to mothers.
You Don't Have to Live with Constant Worry
Postpartum anxiety is treatable. With evidence-based therapy, you can reduce anxiety, manage intrusive thoughts, and feel confident in your ability to care for your baby. Take the first step toward relief today.
Questions? Call us at (512) 898-9510
Or email info@bloompsychologynorthaustin.com