EMDR therapist for postpartum anxiety in Oakland
Dr. Maya Ellison, PsyD · she/her
Ellison Psychology
I help new parents in the East Bay who are struggling with postpartum anxiety — the racing thoughts, the constant checking, the fear that something is wrong even when everyone says the baby is fine. Many of the parents I work with feel blindsided: they expected joy and instead found themselves overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to rest even when the baby sleeps. Using EMDR alongside practical cognitive tools, I help you calm the nervous-system alarm that keeps anxiety running, process any frightening moments from pregnancy or birth, and get back to feeling like yourself.
How I work
Sessions are collaborative and paced to what you can handle. We start by understanding your history and what's keeping the anxiety going, then use EMDR to gently reprocess the experiences your body is still bracing against. Between sessions I'll share concrete tools you can use at 3 a.m. when the worry spikes. I offer both in-person sessions in Oakland and secure telehealth across California.
Who I work with
Populations
- New parents
- Women
Areas of focus
- Postpartum anxiety
- Perinatal mood changes
- Birth-related trauma
Approaches
- EMDR
- CBT
Working together
In-person sessions in Oakland, serving Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Emeryville, and Piedmont, plus secure telehealth across CA.
$225 / 50-min session · Sliding scale available
Questions
- Do you take insurance?
- Ellison Psychology is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. I provide a monthly superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and a limited number of sliding-scale spots are available.
- How is EMDR different from regular talk therapy for postpartum anxiety?
- EMDR helps your brain reprocess distressing experiences so they stop triggering the same anxiety response, rather than only talking about them. For postpartum anxiety tied to a scary birth or a health scare, that often brings relief faster than talk therapy alone.
- Can we meet by video, or do I need to come to the office?
- Both. I see clients in person in Oakland and also offer secure telehealth to anyone located in California, which many new parents prefer while caring for an infant.
- How soon can I get started?
- I typically have consult availability within a week. You can book a free 15-minute consult through the request button on this page to see if we're a good fit.
Request a consult
Reach out to see if we’re a good fit — no pressure, no commitment.