Psychotherapy for Moms: 04 Finding Support in Ontario
- Lindsey Hutchings, BScN
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Psychotherapy for Moms: 04 Finding Support in Ontario
Motherhood is one of the most gratifying and grueling jobs in existence. Moms juggle endless roles- caregiver, partner, professional- regularly sacrificing their needs for the benefit of others. But if they aren't careful, this self-sacrifice can lead to resentment, overwhelm, or emotional eruptions, making it hard to enjoy motherhood.
Every mom needs a support system, but not every mom gets the support system they deserve. Some are even stuck with a support system that causes more problems than solutions.
Psychotherapy offers a safe space to process these challenges, rebuild balance, and foster mental well-being. At LAH Counselling & Psychotherapy in Ontario, we understand moms’ unique struggles.
In Part 3 of our “Starting Psychotherapy in Ontario” series, we explored therapy types like CBT and IFS. This post dives into why and how psychotherapy supports moms, helping you find the right approach.
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The Unmet Needs of Moms: Why Moms Need Psychotherapy
Many women who become mothers learn early to prioritize the needs and wants of others. Rooted in “good girl” behaviours, they learned: don’t burden others with your frivolous emotions, serve, smile, and avoid being direct.
These childhood lessons teach moms that pleasing others ensures they’ll be cared for. Too many know this isn’t true, yet breaking this exhausting habit feels like betraying a core part of themselves.
In motherhood, these self-sacrificing behaviours fuel suffering. Moms need to be effective leaders—assertive, communicative, balanced—to guide their families to health and happiness. Suppressing needs breeds resentment, tension, and confusion, sparking emotional eruptions (e.g., snapping over spilled juice) or burnout. Cycling through eruption and recovery dims the joys of motherhood, leaving moms feeling frayed and disconnected.
For some, parenting stirs unprocessed trauma. Memories of their own childhood (e.g., feeling dismissed) resurface, triggering distress when kids mirror those moments. Constant noise and demands overwhelm, leaving moms overstimulated and on edge. Ineffective communication with partners or kids ignites interpersonal conflict, amplifying stress. These unmet needs and triggers turn motherhood into a relentless reaction, stealing moments of connection.
We all want what’s best for our kids, but what if what’s best is a mother who takes care of herself and lets herself heal? Psychotherapy helps moms prioritize their mental well-being to become the patient, regulated, authentic mom they were meant to be. Healed moms heal homes. Through therapy like Somatic Experiencing (SE), moms process trauma triggers, while Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) reframes thoughts like “I must be perfect.” At LAH Counselling, we tailor sessions to break the cycle of self-sacrifice, helping moms reclaim joy in this beautiful journey without guilt.
Learn More About Therapy Types.
Part 2: How Psychotherapy Helps
How Psychotherapy Supports Moms
Every mom’s heart bears its own burdens—exhausting moments of anger, retreat, silence, or appeasement. Psychotherapy offers soul-soothing tools to navigate these challenges, helping moms feel less drained and more connected. At LAH Counselling, we tailor evidence-based methods to your life, offering virtual sessions for therapy for busy moms.
Here’s how therapy supports four common mom-types:
The Angry Mom: Her voice roars when repeating herself, a raw echo of childhood feelings of being unheard, leaving her emotionally dysregulated and unsafe. Yelling gets results, but it’s exhausting. DBT builds emotional regulation skills to stay calm. IFS uncovers the triggered part tied to past pain. CBT challenges distorted beliefs like “I must control everything,” while Somatic Experiencing (SE) releases stored tension, restoring peace.
The Retreating Mom: Constant noise, touch, and demands leave her fried, retreating to her phone or hobbies to escape. CBT helps her recognize self-care needs, while behavioural activation plans quiet moments before withdrawal. Assertive communication empowers her to say, “I need space,” reducing conflict. Example: A mom used CBT to schedule 10-minute breaks, feeling recharged.
The Suffering-in-Silence Mom: She hides stress to seem perfect, feeling isolated despite love surrounding her. IFS fosters self-compassion, helping her voice her needs without guilt. Assertive communication crafts words to ask for help, and grounding techniques keep her calm during tough talks. Example: IFS helped a mom say, “I’m struggling,” easing loneliness.
The Appeasing Mom: She soothes her kids’ emotions by giving in, an exhausting, futile cycle as their needs shift. CBT or IFS helps manage triggers, teaching her to support kids’ self-regulation. SE calms her dysregulated state. Example: A mom used CBT to guide her child through a tantrum, feeling empowered.
These psychotherapy approaches, offered at LAH Counselling, help moms reclaim joy and balance.
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Part 3: Finding a Therapist
Starting psychotherapy can feel daunting, but it’s a powerful step toward reclaiming your joy as a mom. The journey begins with understanding your needs, and our “Starting Psychotherapy in Ontario” series guides you there. Dive into Part 1: Who Benefits, Part 2: Finding the Right Therapist, and Part 3: Types of Psychotherapy to see what approach aligns with your goals—whether it’s reducing overwhelm, relieving isolation, or nurturing exhaustion.
Reflect deeply: What is your biggest source of stress? Feeling unheard? Self-sabotaging yourself? Consider which style of therapy best suits your personality. Figure out your availability and pinpoint preferences, like trauma-focused SE, virtual sessions, or weekend appointments.
After you've reflected on your needs, explore online directories to find a therapist who suits your needs. If you are unsure, most psychotherapists, including LAH Counselling, offer free consultations—give you a no-commitment way to ask, “How can your approach reduce my stress?” At LAH Counselling, we provide flexible scheduling for therapy for busy moms, as well as recurring appointments for those who want to build their sessions into a weekly routine.
Visit LAHCounselling.ca to book a free 15-minute consultation. Healed moms heal homes, and your first step is a single, brave click.
Blog Post: Self-Compassion for Moms
Part 4: Overcoming Barriers
Motherhood’s relentless pace can make starting psychotherapy feel like an impossible hurdle—time slips away, costs loom, and stigma stings.
The constant juggle leaves moms fried, thinking, “When will I fit this in?” But finding time is vital, especially for busy moms, and it starts with a therapist who fits your schedule and individuality.
At LAH Counselling, we offer flexible scheduling with virtual sessions, easing the strain of packed days. Our free 15-minute consultations let you explore mental health for moms without cost, helping you decide if therapy feels right. The fear of seeming overwhelmed can keep moms from seeking help, as if admitting struggle means failing at motherhood. But seeking therapy is a bold, beautiful act of strength, showing love for yourself and your family. Healed moms heal homes, and prioritizing your well-being ripples outward, nurturing everyone. At LAH Counselling, we craft sessions to soothe your unique challenges—whether it’s exhaustion or conflict—ensuring a comfortable fit. Break through the barriers and take that first step at LAHCounselling.ca to reclaim joy in your beautiful journey of motherhood.
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Bringing It All Together
The constant demands of motherhood can leave moms fried, but psychotherapy offers a soul-soothing way to reclaim joy. From unravelling unmet needs to mastering skills like assertive communication, therapy empowers you to thrive. At LAH Counselling, we support mental health for moms with tailored, flexible sessions. Don’t let barriers hold you back—healed moms heal homes. Take that brave first step and book your free 15-minute consultation at LAHCounselling.ca to start your journey today.
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