Perinatal Mental Health (a.k.a. pregnancy & postpartum)

What is perinatal mental health?

The perinatal time period describes the time period from pregnancy through postpartum (typically marked by the whole first year postpartum). Working with perinatal mental health means finding ways to support the overall well-being of a person throughout this challenging time period. While you might think of therapy as siloed to mental wellness, I like to think about ways to support a person holistically. This can look like planning ahead for birth and postpartum, bringing in loved ones to sessions to support you and learn more about perinatal mental health, connecting you with resources like doulas, lactation consultants, psychiatrists, pelvic floor physical therapists, etc. Overall, the aim is to engage in helpful preventative efforts to support you, in having the resources to respond to challenges that can pop up, and to have a space to make meaning of the entire experience and adjust to many shifts in relationships and identity.

Why is it important?

Perinatal mental health is SO important and unfortunately often under-treated by providers. Supporting people going through a massive physiological and psychological change just makes sense. It’s needed for the individual and other adults who are a part of the process, but also for baby. When we support pregnant and postpartum people, we are also supporting the attachment and mental health of baby. Implications for both parents and babies can be huge if mental health difficulties are not supported in this time period and after. People deserve support and resources always, and especially during this life-changing experience.

Who do you often work with?

I often work with people who might be trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, are considering adoption, those who are postpartum, and those who are parents to children past age 1. This includes those who are considering IVF/IUI or are engaging in that fertility treatment process. Many parents and parents-to-be I work with can also identify as neurodivergent. This often comes with unique strengths and challenges in navigating all the things (e.g. sensory sensitivities/overstimulation, social demands with children/family/other parents, fatigue, executive functioning differences, etc). I truly enjoy supporting people in processing changes in their roles/identity, working on boundaries and advocating for their needs, processing grief and loss, and growing confidence in themselves as parents.

Where do I start if this might be me?

If you’re considering becoming a parent, are already in the process of this, or are postpartum and needing support, I encourage you to reach out to a therapist, a reproductive psychiatrist, your OBGYN, and/or your primary care doctor to get connected to resources. If therapy specifically is something you think you could benefit from, feel free to set up a free 15 minute consultation call with me to see if we might be a good fit! You can also reach out via email or phone to get in touch.