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Worthington Psychotherapies

CBT for Mum Guilt and Parenting Anxiety

Feeling guilty, anxious or like you're never quite getting motherhood right?

You love your children, but motherhood may not feel the way you expected it to.

Mum Guilt

Perhaps you're constantly worrying about whether you're doing enough, making the right decisions, or being a good enough mum. You might feel guilty if you take time for yourself, anxious when your child is unhappy, or overwhelmed by the pressure to get everything right.

You may find yourself thinking:

'why can't I cope better?'

'Other mums seem to manage this'

'I'm doing everything I can, so why do I still feel like I'm failing?'

Parenting anxiety

Parenting can bring a huge amount of responsibility and uncertainty.

You might find yourself:
- Worrying about your child's health or development
- Repeatedly checking that your child is OK
- Worrying about making the wrong parenting decision
- Comparing yourself with other parents
- Struggling to switch off
- Searching online for reassurance
- Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting parenting advice

These experiences can become particularly difficult when anxiety starts changing what you do or stopping you from enjoying your family life.

Perfectionism & motherhood

Sometimes mum guilt is closely linked with perfectionism.

You may have developed very high expectations of yourself:

- I should always be patient
- I should never shout
-I should always provide healthy meals
- I should keep the house under control
- I should exercise
- I should enjoy every moment
- I should have a career
- I should always know what my child needs

The problem isn't having high standards.

The problem can be feeling that you're failing whenever you don't meet them.

How can CBT help?

Mum guilt can become a cycle. You may have a thought such as: 'I should be spending more time with my children'. This brings up feelings of guilt or anxiety. You respond by cancelling plans, putting your own needs aside or trying harder to be the perfect parent.

This might help you feel some temporary relief - you're doing what you believe you SHOULD be doing.

But over time, you're exhausted, overwhelmed, and sometimes resentful.

The guilt returns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help you understand these patterns and work out what's keeping them going. Rather than simply trying to think positively, we look at the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, physical responses and behaviours to identify some practical ways to make changes.

How can I help?

I'm a BABCP-accredited CBT Therapist with over 15 years' experience in supporting people with their emotional wellbeing. I am also trained in delivering Behavioural Couples Therapy and person-centred counselling.

I work online with parents experiencing difficulties including:
- mum guilt
- Parenting anxiety
- Perfectionism
- Overwhelm
- Low confidence
- People-pleasing
- Resentment
- Loss of identity after having children
- Difficulties adjusting to parenthood
- Anxiety and low mood

Therapy with me is collaborative and practical. We'll work together to understand what is happening and identify changes that are realistic for your life.

You don't have to wait until you're at breaking point

You don't need to be in crisis to seek therapy.

If you're functioning on the outside but feel exhausted, anxious, guilty or unlike yourself on the inside, it may be worth talking to someone.

If you'd like to find out whether CBT might be right for you, I offer a free 15 minute consultation. You can also contact me if you'd simply like to ask a question before deciding whether therapy is right for you.

Book a free 15 minute consultation now

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