Perinatal mental health
I am certified as a specialist in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) by Postpartum Support International, the leading training and credentialing agency in the field. CBT is a first-line treatment for perinatal mood disorders, so these specialities complement each other nicely.
Read on for more information about postpartum issues, and don’t wait to set up a professional support network as part of your journey into parenthood.
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) affect many new and prospective parents, often unexpectedly. The reality of this experience may not match what was expected or imagined.
Up to 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will experience PMADs during this time. Peripartum depression, anxiety, OCD, and trauma are common and may be treated at the outpatient level. Postpartum psychosis is a rare medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization.
Other issues that may be addressed in therapy include fertility, pregnancy loss, relationship conflicts, role transitions, body image issues, and more.
Often, societal assumptions about pregnancy and parenthood contribute to depression, shame, and isolation when someone experiences things differently. Consider the harmful impact of some of these widespread messages, when so often, the reality simply isn't so:
Getting pregnant is easy.
A pregnancy/delivery means a healthy baby.
A C-section birth is the "easy way out."
Bonding with baby will happen instantly.
Breastfeeding will come easily/naturally.
Becoming a parent is a joyous thing.
Every child has/needs a (married, biological) mommy and daddy.
At KCS, we celebrate the many ways families are formed and provide support for diverse family structures. We support the rights of people to make choices about their own bodies and families. We provide an unbiased, nonjudgmental space to explore thoughts, feelings, values, and options, without pushing clients toward any particular decision. We equally honor and respect religious and cultural influences that may shape a client's reproductive decision-making.
Social and professional support go a long way during the peripartum period. Effective planning during pregnancy, which may include partners or families, can help mobilize resources and practical postpartum assistance. Don’t wait to structure your support network.
If postpartum mood symptoms are already present, get help. Parental mental health is one of the most important predictors of child outcomes. Telehealth may be especially convenient during this time.
Postpartum Support International also offers many free, specialized online support groups. Some of these include: NICU parents, military moms, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, single parents, and dads support groups. Visit https://www.postpartum.net/ for more.