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Anxiety Therapy for Moms

Dr. Terri Bacow 

As Featured In

NYC Therapist Terri Bacow PhD sitting on a purple couch and smiling

I am a stress & anxiety therapist providing therapy to moms across New York.

As a mother myself, I know the joy, stress, and fear that being a mom can bring - no matter your age or your child’s. Motherhood is often portrayed as a joyous and fulfilling experience, but for many moms, it can also be a time of overwhelming anxiety and self-doubt.

 

Do you find yourself constantly worrying about your child’s well-being, second-guessing your parenting decisions, or feeling like you're failing to meet the impossibly high standards you set for yourself?

 

Do you lie awake at night, your mind racing with thoughts of everything that could go wrong, unable to find peace even in moments of quiet?

You're not alone. Many moms experience the intense pressures of balancing childcare, household responsibilities, marriage and relationships, and possibly a career, all while striving to maintain some semblance of personal time & mental health. 

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The weight of these expectations can lead to feelings of guilt, frustration, and a sense of being perpetually on edge. It's easy to feel isolated, like no one truly understands the depth of your anxiety and the impact it has on your daily life.

 

Perhaps you've noticed a slow creep of anxiety affecting your ability to enjoy time with your children and even your partner or spouse, causing you to become easily irritated. Maybe you're struggling to find joy in activities that used to bring you happiness, or you're constantly battling a sense of inadequacy. 

Therapy Helps Moms Who Are Experiencing:

  • Constant Worry

  • Overthinking

  • Perfectionism 

  • Fear of Failure or Harm

  • Difficulty Sleeping

  • Feeling Overwhelmed or Isolated

  • Balancing Parenting, Career, and/or Personal Well-being

  • Postpartum Anxiety and Adjustment

  • Co-Parenting Challenges

  • Parenting Stress (neurodiversity, behavioral problems, or just a regular day!) 

A hand holding a green mug, there is coffee in the mug

"The Best Time To Start Therapy Is As Soon As You’re Thinking About It."

We all carry emotional baggage from the past, and it profoundly affects how we cope with and respond to the challenges of motherhood. Everything you’ve experienced shapes how you handle stress, connect with your child, and manage your daily responsibilities.

 

Our parents are our first models of how we should approach parenting.

 

Maybe you witnessed your own mother struggle with anxiety, faced significant life changes that left you feeling unsteady, or are currently overwhelmed by the constant demands of parenting that never seem to let up.

 

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a primary approach in helping mothers manage anxiety. CBT is a well-researched and highly effective method that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. By using CBT techniques, we can explore and address the root causes of your anxiety, helping you to reframe negative thoughts, reduce stress, and build resilience.

 

This approach empowers you to take control of your mental health, providing you with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of motherhood with confidence and calm.

Two women in a kitchen smiling with children

Therapy for Stressed Moms That Yield Results

My therapy for moms is a confidential space where you can explore and address the underlying issues contributing to your anxiety.

 

We'll work together to understand:

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  • What's really behind your anxiety? It’s never just about the immediate worry. Often, anxiety masks deeper emotions like fear, self-doubt, or guilt that stem from our thought patterns. By uncovering these root causes and core beliefs, we can find healthier ways to manage stress.

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  • How your past is affecting your present. Together, we'll gently explore past experiences that may be influencing your current feelings and behaviors. By understanding and processing these old wounds, you can break free from negative patterns that are impacting your daily life in the present moment.

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  • How to practice self-compassion. “You have to put your own air mask on first.” Learning to prioritize your well-being, set realistic expectations, and nurture yourself makes a significant difference in managing anxiety and coping with motherhood. We'll develop practical strategies to help you find balance.

"Dr. Bacow really helped me survive the first year of motherhood. It was a major transition for me and I was feeling overwhelmed and frequently arguing with my spouse. She helped me problem-solve and kept me sane. I couldn't have done it without her!"

Female, 36

-Female, 36

About Dr. Terri Bacow

Headshot of NYC Therapist Terri Bacow PhD

I provide therapy for stressed and anxious moms across New York & Florida. For over 15 years, I've guided individuals through life's challenges.

 

As a licensed psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based therapy approaches, I've witnessed the transformative power of self-understanding and change, even when it feels out of reach.

 

Trained by experts in the field of CBT, I've gained invaluable insights into the unique dynamics of anxiety and stress, learning to approach therapy with a personalized lens. This training has honed my skills and enriched my therapeutic approach, emphasizing the uniqueness of every individual's experience. From my training and my own experiences with motherhood, I learned that every mom's journey is unique, and thus my approach to each client must be individualized.

 

My experience is vast. I've worked extensively with parents, professionals, executives, creatives, and families from all walks of life. This allows me to tailor therapy to your unique needs, whether you're navigating the challenges of motherhood, managing overwhelming anxiety, dealing with parenting and marital stress or seeking better balance in your life.

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Through this exploration, we'll identify core needs, anxieties, and coping styles. This newfound understanding will help you turn towards self-compassion and build a foundation of resilience.

 

Ready to reclaim your peace of mind? I offer a safe space for moms to heal and grow. Reach out for a consultation today to begin your journey towards a calmer, more balanced life.

Credentials

 

Education:

  • B.A. in Psychology from Brown University, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Boston University, trained at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship at Mount Sinai’s Department of Psychiatry

 

Professional Experience:

  • Clinical Instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai since 2008

  • Director of Clinical Training at the Hallowell Center in NYC (2012-2021)

  • Adjunct Instructor at NYU’s Department of Applied Psychology since 2018

 

Affiliations:

  • New York Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Association (NY-CBT)

  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)

  • Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)

  • Postpartum Support International (PSI)

  • Clinical Instructor - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

  • Adjunct Instructor - New York University Department of Applied Psychology

 

Publications:

DR. BACOW HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:

Psychology Today
The Washington Post
Scary Mommy
Women's Health
Oprah Daily
Shape
Vogue Magazine Logo
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