Many moms are faced with the dilemma of trying to “do it all” and “make it work,” which often leaves them with too many obligations and not enough time. This is a recipe for overwhelm, resentment, and dissatisfaction. Learning where this behavior comes from can help you start making the changes necessary to get that time back!

Why Am I Doing This?

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To cope with stress, people take on more tasks. They volunteer for things they think they "should." They have less time to process their emotions. As an infertility mental health therapist in Ohio, I know that people don’t engage in these patterns for no reason. There’s usually something deeper driving this need to fill every moment. For example, maybe you’re worried about your child not meeting milestones like their peers. But instead of expressing your concerns to your partner or friends, you stay quiet out of fear of judgment. So, what do you do? You fill your calendar by signing up your child for extra activities and volunteer to organize the next school event.

At first glance, there may not seem to be a connection between these actions and your concerns. However, it’s likely an attempt to avoid uncomfortable emotions like fear of judgment by staying busy. When you’re occupied, there’s less time to dwell on difficult feelings or thoughts. This scenario may feel all too familiar if you’ve also experienced birth trauma in Ohio. The aftermath of a traumatic birth can leave you feeling out of control, and overloading yourself with responsibilities might be a way to regain some sense of control. However, avoiding these emotions long-term can lead to burnout.

Your Old Ways Aren’t Helping

While these methods may feel helpful in the moment, they aren’t effective for long-term emotional health. And that’s okay! It’s important to recognize that these behaviors are ways of coping with discomfort, even if they’re not ultimately serving you. Acknowledging that you need help finding better ways to manage distress is the first step toward healing.

Sometimes, patterns of behavior served a purpose in the past. For instance, staying busy might have helped you avoid dealing with emotional pain after an infertility diagnosis. But now, this behavior is adding to your stress rather than relieving it. This is common for moms who seek infertility counseling in Ohio. The emotional toll of fertility struggles often leads to coping strategies that no longer work, especially as life moves forward.

Breaking the Cycle

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If you’ve noticed yourself:

Taking on more responsibilities at home, work, or socially
Feeling anxious, stressed out, or resentful toward others
Avoiding alone time or “down time”
Thinking in all-or-nothing terms or saying things like “I should be doing more” or “a good mom should be perfect”

You’re not alone. These are common signs that the pressure to “do it all” is affecting your mental health. You may benefit from working with a therapist who can help you identify the patterns you’re stuck in and understand the beliefs behind them. For instance, you may have internalized thoughts like “I have to be perfect” or “I am to blame” after dealing with infertility or a traumatic birth. Therapy can help you challenge and change these thoughts.

For moms who have experienced birth trauma, birth trauma therapy in Ohio, including EMDR for birth trauma, can be incredibly effective. EMDR intensives can help you reprocess traumatic memories, allowing you to release the emotional charge connected to them. This type of therapy is especially powerful for mothers who feel stuck in a cycle of guilt, fear, or perfectionism after a difficult birth. EMDR for birth trauma allows you to heal those deep emotional wounds and move forward with more clarity and confidence.

The Impact of Saying Yes When You Want to Say No

Saying yes to more responsibilities or commitments when you really want to say no can lead to a buildup of resentment and frustration. Over time, this can erode your emotional well-being and relationships. As a therapist for moms, I’ve seen how the pressure to please others can create feelings of guilt, anger, and even shame. This dynamic often shows up in moms who are navigating the complexities of infertility. In therapy for infertility in Ohio, I help clients explore the emotional toll that fertility treatments and societal expectations can have. The constant need to “do more” can become overwhelming. Leaving moms feeling drained and resentful. Infertility counseling in Ohio provides a space to process these feelings and find healthier ways to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of fertility struggles.

Finding Balance and Setting Boundaries

One of the most important skills I work on with my clients is learning to set healthy boundaries. This means learning to say no when necessary and creating space for yourself to rest and recharge. For many moms, this feels impossible at first. But setting boundaries is not only necessary for your mental health—it’s also a form of self-care. For moms dealing with birth trauma or infertility, setting boundaries can be especially difficult. The pressure to meet societal expectations or keep up with others can be overwhelming.

However, therapy can help you practice saying no and understanding that your worth isn’t tied to how much you can handle. If you’re a mom who’s been feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to break free from these patterns, birth trauma therapy in Ohio or therapy for infertility in Ohio can help you reconnect with yourself. By addressing the root causes of these behaviors, you can start to set boundaries that allow you to thrive.

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How EMDR for Birth Trauma Can Help

If the emotional weight of a traumatic birth is adding to your stress, EMDR for birth trauma could be the key to your healing. EMDR therapy helps moms process traumatic memories, so they no longer feel overwhelming. Many of my clients describe feeling "lighter" after EMDR sessions, as if the emotional burden of the trauma has been lifted. For those struggling with infertility, therapy can also help de-charge the emotional intensity of the experience. Working with an infertility mental health therapist in Ohio, you can learn to manage the anxiety and grief that often come with fertility challenges.

Reclaiming Your Time and Mental Health

As a mom, your time and mental well-being are valuable. Learning to recognize when you’re taking on too much and finding ways to say no are critical steps toward reclaiming both. Whether you’re dealing with birth trauma in Ohio, infertility, or the daily pressures of motherhood, therapy can help you identify the patterns that no longer serve you and replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. If you’ve been feeling stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, consider reaching out for support. Birth trauma therapy in Ohio, EMDR for birth trauma, and infertility counseling in Ohio can help you regain control, heal emotional wounds, and start living a life that feels balanced and fulfilling.

Begin Healing with EMDR for Birth Trauma in Youngstown & Throughout Ohio

The emotional weight of birth trauma in Ohio can impact your well-being long after childbirth. Acknowledging these feelings and seeking support is a powerful step toward healing. I am a therapist who specializes in supporting moms through their most difficult moments, helping them process trauma and find relief. At my Youngstown, Ohio-based therapy practice, I provide online flexible, accessible options for moms dealing with the aftermath of birth trauma, infertility, and other challenges. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, guilt, or feeling overwhelmed, birth trauma therapy in Ohio, including EMDR for birth trauma, can help you regain control and find balance. Your healing matters, and you deserve to move forward with peace and confidence. Here’s how to get started:

Schedule a free intro call with me today.
Book your first session for EMDR therapy.
Begin living with more clarity, leaving the emotional weight of trauma behind.

Additional Virtual Therapy Services Available in Ohio

As a therapist for moms and an infertility mental health specialist in Ohio, I offer a range of services designed to help you lead a more fulfilling life. I specialize in EMDR intensives and therapy for anxious moms, which can address a variety of issues such as birth trauma, infertility, anxiety, and past trauma. Additionally, I provide EMDR for grief and birth trauma throughout Ohio. If you're a mother seeking support, don't hesitate to reach out today.

Why Are Moms Saying Yes and Feeling Angry About It?