Perinatal Mental Health

Perinatal mental health refers to the emotional and psychological well-being of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This area of mental health is crucial because it impacts not only the mother but also the developing fetus, newborn, and family. Addressing perinatal mental health involves understanding, diagnosing, and treating a range of conditions that can occur during this time.

Prenatal depression/anxiety

Can affect the mother’s heath, prenatal care, and pregnancy outcomes.

postpartum depression

Postpartum depression known as PPD, affects approximately 10-15% of new mothers.

postpartum anxiety

Often co-occurs with PPD.

Mother’s well-being

Ensuring mental health support can help mothers navigate the emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum.

infant development

Maternal mental health influences bonding and the child’s emotional and cognitive development.

family dynamics

Supportive interventions can improve overall family health and functioning.

 FAQs

  • Sessions are 53-mins in length.

  • It is crucial that you come to sessions ready to engage.

    Active engagement looks like:

    • Sharing thoughts, feelings and experiences openly and honestly

    • Being open to discuss difficult topics and being honest about your feelings

    • Showing commitment by regularly attending sessions and being punctual

    • Reflecting on thoughts and behaviors outside of sessions to deepen understanding and progress

    • Applying coping strategies and techniques and tools; providing feedback to therapist about what is and is not working

    • Being patient and understanding that therapy is a process and is not linear

    • Setting realistic and meaningful goals

    • Respecting confidentiality and maintaining a trusting relationship with your therapist

  • Traditionally for perinatal mental health concerns Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused Care will be utilized.

  • Standardized assessment tools will be utilized to assess for perinatal conditions.

    These assessments may be, but are not limited to:

    • Perinatal Screening Scales (PASS)

    • Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R)

    • Dimensional Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DOCS)

    • PTSD Checklist (PCL-2)