Therapy for Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum & Infertility Counseling in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota
Finding Support During Infertility, Pregnancy Loss and Postpartum Struggles
Planning to expand your family should be a happy and joyous time, but for many, unfortunately, the journey can be traumatic. When you’re facing infertility or pregnancy loss, it can feel like the rest of the world is moving forward without you. Friends announce pregnancies, baby showers fill your social feed, and you’re left wondering how to cope. This experience can trigger deep sadness, anxiety, isolation, and even relationship strain.
At It Begins Within, our licensed therapists specialize in helping individuals and couples navigate life’s toughest moments. Whether you’re struggling with infertility, grieving a pregnancy loss, or working through the emotional toll of fertility treatment, we provide a compassionate space to process, heal, and find hope.
Therapy for Individuals
Dealing with Infertility Depression and Anxiety
Infertility is more than just a medical condition, it’s an emotional and identity-shaping experience. Many women come to us feeling depressed, hopeless, or even ashamed - and we understand the emotional rollercoaster that you may be experiencing. Therapy can help you process grief, develop coping strategies, and reconnect with your sense of self. Our clinical team focused on infertility counseling shares a deep (and personal) understanding of the IVF process - so you don’t need to worry about having to explain the details and we are able to move into processing your emotions.
In addition, individuals who have “unexplained infertility” experience immense uncertainty. The stress of not knowing “why” can create constant anxiety, worry and self-blame. Counseling offers tools to manage uncertainty, quiet anxious thoughts, and reclaim stability.
Pregnancy Loss & Miscarriage Supportive Therapy
Miscarriage and pregnancy loss are devastating, and the grief is often invisible to others. Working with a specialized therapist provides validation, a space to grieve, and support for navigating complex emotional trauma - such as guilt, anger, or fear of trying again.
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety
Even after pregnancy, maternal mental health challenges are common. If you’re experiencing postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety (PPA), therapy can help you regain balance, strengthen bonding with your baby, and find relief from overwhelming thoughts.
Relationship Therapy
IVF can put immense pressure on a relationship. Couples therapy helps you and your partner navigate the uncertainty, manage stress, and stay emotionally connected through each phase of treatment. Our therapists incorporate The Gottman Method when educating the couple on how to communicate effectively, engage in healthy conflict resolution, and preserve emotional and physical intimacy during this difficult process.
Sex therapy during fertility treatments can be extremely beneficial as well. When sex becomes scheduled or medicalized, intimacy often suffers. Therapists can help provide tools to reconnect physically and emotionally, rebuilding closeness beyond conception goals.
Further, whether deciding on donor options, adoption, or pausing treatment, therapy gives couples a safe place to explore next steps, align expectations, and support one another.
Supportive Therapy for Male Partners
In addition we offer individual supportive therapy for male partners, as Men often feel overlooked during infertility and postpartum journeys. While trying to be “the strong one,” they may silently carry grief, anxiety, and helplessness. Therapy can help men voice their experiences, strengthen resilience, and stay present in the relationship.
Infertility & Pregnancy Loss Therapist in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
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![Dr. Mary Perleoni, PhD, LMHC, NCC, Clinical Director and licensed counselor in Tampa with personal IVF experience supporting clients through infertility and pregnancy loss]()
Dr. Mary Perleoni, PhD, LMHC, NCC – Couples Specialist
Dr. Mary Perleoni is a licensed counselor and Founder in Tampa who combines her professional expertise and personal IVF journey to guide clients through the trauma and grief of infertility.
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![Julia Loewi, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director and licensed therapist specializing in infertility counseling and pregnancy loss support in Sarasota]()
Julia Loewi, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Director
Julia Loewi, MSW, LCSW, is Clinical Director in Sarasota who provides expert counseling for individuals and couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss.
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![Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW, licensed therapist in St. Petersburg using EMDR and somatic therapy to help clients heal from infertility and pregnancy loss trauma]()
Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW – Trauma & Grief Specialist
Amanda Farris, MS, LCSW, is a licensed therapist in St. Petersburg who specializes in grief and loss, using EMDR and somatic approaches to help clients process the trauma of infertility and pregnancy loss.
Our Approach to Fertility Counseling
Our therapists integrate evidence-based approaches including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for managing negative thought patterns.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) for coping with uncertainty.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction for grounding and resilience.
Gottman Method couples therapy and sex therapy techniques for relational support.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Healing emotionally after a miscarriage takes time and looks different for everyone. Many people find comfort in grief counseling, support groups, or therapy that validates their loss and helps process feelings of guilt, sadness, or isolation. At IBWHC, our therapists provide compassionate space to grieve while also supporting coping strategies to regain stability and hope.
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Not everyone needs therapy after a miscarriage, but many benefit from it. If you’re experiencing ongoing sadness, difficulty functioning at work or home, or feeling disconnected from your partner, therapy can provide vital support. Speaking with a licensed counselor helps you process grief in a safe, non-judgmental space.
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Emotional recovery after miscarriage does not follow a set timeline. Some people feel ready to move forward within weeks, while others may grieve deeply for months or longer. Therapy can help you navigate these ups and downs at your own pace and prevent long-term unresolved grief.
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A miscarriage can be experienced as a traumatic event, especially when it is unexpected, repeated, or accompanied by medical complications. Trauma therapies such as EMDR and somatic approaches can help process intrusive memories, physical distress, and the emotional pain that lingers after loss.
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You can begin therapy at any time — whether immediately after the loss or weeks later if grief feels overwhelming. Many people find it helpful to begin within the first month to process emotions early and prevent isolation. Our licensed therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota can guide you whenever you feel ready.
IVF and Infertility Counseling Near Me in Florida
Fertility & IVF Counseling in St. Petersburg, FL
Our St. Petersburg therapists provide compassionate support for women and couples navigating the emotional challenges of fertility treatments across Pinellas County—including Clearwater, Largo, Gulfport, Seminole, Feather Sound, and Treasure Island. Whether you’re coping with the stress of failed cycles, feeling isolated, or searching for a fertility support counselor near you, our team offers in-person and virtual therapy tailored to your needs.
Infertility Support Therapy in Tampa, FL
Located near Westshore and South Tampa, our Tampa therapists guide women and families through the highs and lows of IVF emotional support and pregnancy loss counseling across Hillsborough County—including Hyde Park, Carrollwood, Brandon, Riverview, and Apollo Beach. We specialize in trauma-informed therapy, anxiety management, and relationship counseling to help you process the stress of infertility while protecting your emotional health and strengthening your closest connections.
IVF Emotional Support in Sarasota, FL
Our Sarasota office welcomes women and couples across the Suncoast—including Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Venice, Siesta Key, and Palmer Ranch—who are seeking therapy during IVF treatment or struggling with repeated infertility challenges. Whether you are grieving a miscarriage, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of fertility medicine, or searching for a safe place to process your journey, our counselors provide evidence-based infertility support therapy.
Take the First Step Toward Healing Today
You don’t have to navigate infertility, IVF stress, or pregnancy loss alone. Our compassionate therapists are here to support you with personalized counseling and emotional care tailored to your journey.