Healing from Birth Trauma: You’re Not Alone
Healing from Birth Trauma: You’re Not Alone
Compassionate Support for Your Journey
For many, the moment a baby is born is expected to be one of the most joyful, magical experiences of a lifetime. We’re told to cherish every second, to soak in the beauty of it all. But for many parents—especially mothers—the birth experience may not feel beautiful. Instead, it may feel overwhelming, frightening, or even traumatic.
If this is your story, you are not alone.
What Is Birth Trauma?
Birth trauma refers to the psychological distress that a parent may experience during or after childbirth. This can be triggered by a wide range of experiences, including (but not limited to):
Emergency medical interventions (like unplanned C-sections)
Loss of control during labor or delivery
Feeling unheard, dismissed, or disrespected by medical providers
Physical complications for the birthing parent or the baby
NICU admissions or medical complications postpartum
Feeling disconnected or emotionally numb during the birth
Birth trauma isn’t defined by a medical event—it’s defined by your emotional response to what happened. You can have a "textbook" healthy birth and still walk away feeling confused, anxious, or violated. Trauma is subjective. If it felt traumatic to you, then it was.
How Does Birth Trauma Affect Parents?
The effects of birth trauma can be profound. Some parents feel like they “shouldn’t” be struggling, especially if their baby is healthy. But that doesn’t erase what you went through. Left unprocessed, birth trauma can lead to:
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Difficulty bonding with your baby
Heightened anxiety or panic attacks
Avoidance of medical settings or discussions about birth
Insomnia or nightmares
Symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Some parents feel ashamed that they’re not enjoying early parenthood the way they thought they would. They may struggle with guilt, grief, or feel broken by the experience. These feelings are incredibly common—and treatable with the right support.
You Deserve to Be Heard and Supported
At Heights Family Counseling, we believe that birth trauma deserves space, validation, and healing. You are not overreacting. Your story matters. And you don’t have to process it alone.
Specialized Support from Kristin Tallackson, LPC
Kristin Tallackson, M.A., LPC, brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work with parents navigating birth trauma. She is trained in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International and is currently completing her Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C). Kristin is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) through the Touchstone Institute with an emphasis on treating birth trauma.
EMDR is a highly researched, evidence-based therapy used to treat trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and more. It’s particularly effective for people who feel stuck in the emotional aftermath of a distressing event. Through EMDR, clients can begin to reprocess painful memories, reduce emotional reactivity, and restore a sense of calm and control.
In addition to EMDR, Kristin takes a compassionate, collaborative approach rooted in attachment and family systems theory. She works with new parents at all stages of the journey—pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond—to help them feel seen, supported, and empowered.
What Does Birth Trauma Therapy Look Like?
Therapy for birth trauma may include:
Processing your birth story in a safe, nonjudgmental space
Naming and validating difficult emotions (even the ones that feel “wrong”)
Learning tools to manage anxiety, flashbacks, or sleep disruption
Exploring your identity and expectations in early parenthood
Rebuilding trust in your body, your voice, and your relationships
Reconnecting with joy, peace, and confidence in your parenting journey
If desired, therapy can also include your partner or support person, especially if your relationship has been affected by the experience.
We also understand that early parenthood is logistically hard. That’s why we offer virtual sessions and welcome parents to bring their babies into the therapy room. Our goal is to make accessing support as easy and stress-free as possible.
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Healing from birth trauma is not about forgetting what happened—it’s about creating space for your story, tending to your nervous system, and reclaiming your voice. You are allowed to grieve. You are allowed to be angry. You are allowed to heal.
Whether your trauma is fresh or several years old, it’s never too late to get support.
Reach Out Today
If you’re in the Houston or San Antonio area, or anywhere in Texas via online therapy, Kristin and our team of perinatal-trained therapists are here for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward healing.
Your story matters. And we’d be honored to hold it with care.Here’s how to get started:
Contact our office to talk to an intake specialist
Meet with one of our compassionate therapists (virtually or in-person)
Begin feeling supported, understood, and more connected to yourself and your growing family
👉 Ready to take the first step? Contact us today.