You are not alone, and this is treatable
Postpartum depression is common, treatable, and never a sign of weakness or failure. Willow & Stone is led by Dr. Stacey Forbes, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC — a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with nearly two decades of experience. We treat postpartum and perinatal depression with an integrative, root-cause approach: evidence-based medication when it helps, alongside functional lab testing, thyroid and hormone evaluation, nutrient repletion, sleep support, and the gut-brain connection — care built around you and your baby.
Signs of postpartum depression
Postpartum depression is more than the short-lived "baby blues." If these last longer than two weeks or feel overwhelming, an evaluation can help:
- ✓Persistent sadness, tearfulness, or a sense of emptiness
- ✓Anxiety, racing thoughts, or frightening intrusive thoughts
- ✓Feeling disconnected from your baby, or guilt about not bonding
- ✓Irritability, anger, or feeling constantly on edge
- ✓Sleep and appetite changes beyond normal newborn disruption
- ✓Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- ✓Feeling hopeless, worthless, or like you are "failing"
Our integrative approach to postpartum care
Postpartum mood symptoms rarely have a single cause. We look beyond the surface for physical contributors that standard care often misses — then build a plan around you, your baby, and your feeding goals:
Thyroid & hormones
Postpartum thyroid shifts and hormonal changes are a frequent, treatable driver of low mood and anxiety.
Nutrients & iron
Iron, vitamin D, B12, and omega-3 status are commonly depleted after birth and directly affect mood and energy.
Sleep & recovery
Targeted, realistic sleep support for the newborn season — because depletion fuels depression.
Medication, when it helps
Evidence-based options chosen with breastfeeding and your preferences in mind — never one-size-fits-all.
If you need help right now
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, you deserve immediate support. Call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. You can reach out to us afterward and we will help you from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between postpartum depression and the "baby blues"?
The baby blues are brief mood swings, tearfulness, and overwhelm in the first one to two weeks after birth, and they usually lift on their own. Postpartum depression is more intense and lasts longer — persistent sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, or difficulty bonding that continues beyond two weeks and interferes with daily life. If symptoms last longer than two weeks or feel severe, it is time to reach out.
How long after giving birth can postpartum depression start?
Postpartum depression most often begins within the first few weeks after delivery, but it can appear any time in the first year — and sometimes during pregnancy (perinatal depression). It is worth an evaluation whenever symptoms arise, not only right after birth.
Can I get treatment for postpartum depression if I am breastfeeding?
Yes. Many treatment options are compatible with breastfeeding, and we take your feeding goals into account when building a plan. As part of our integrative approach we also assess contributors like thyroid function, iron and vitamin D, and sleep — which frequently drive postpartum mood symptoms and can be addressed directly.
Do you offer postpartum depression care by telehealth?
Yes — we see patients by secure telehealth across Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida, so you can get expert care from home while caring for a newborn. In-person visits are also available in the Fort Worth–Arlington area.
What if I am having scary or intrusive thoughts?
Intrusive thoughts are common in the postpartum period and are treatable — please do not face them alone. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek immediate help: call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. Then reach out to us so we can support you.
Your healing begins with a conversation.
Start with a cash-pay telehealth consultation — no insurance, no prior authorizations, no waitlists.
Schedule Your ConsultationOr call (972) 762-0057