Moms take their new baby in for well visits and regular checks ups to include immunizations, but mothers often neglect their own health and wellness. Why not set up wellness visits for yourself?
As a Perinatal Specialist, I am aware that symptom relief is urgent. Pregnant and postpartum moms don’t have the time or energy to focus on themselves entirely. Initially we may work together on basics to make sure you are doing well in the areas of sleep, nutrition, physical health, and safety.
I provide individual and family therapy to support and heal moms who do not feel like themselves during pregnancy and/or after the baby arrives. The goal is to get you feeling well again.
Services May Include:- Assessment/Screening and Treatment of Postpartum Depression (PPD) and Anxiety and/or other Perinatal Mood Disorders
- Addressing birth complications, trauma and feelings that labor and delivery did not go as planned.
- Supportive counseling for mom and in some cases dad or other family members.
- Support in learning to care for your baby.
- Support in deciding whether to return to work after baby.
- Stress Management
- Creating a plan for a support system before and after baby.
- Exploring how family of origin issues are related to your own parenting and attachment with your baby.
- Exploring your identity as a mother.
- Support navigating marriage with a new baby.
- Providing and connecting moms with community resources such as new mom groups in her specific community.
- Providing further treatment and/or referrals to additional professionals as needed.
- Coordinating with any relevant treatment professionals to support the well being of the mother.
- Increasing wellness during pregnancy.
- Strategies to maintain healthy marriage when the baby arrives.
- Other services as necessary.
How often a mother would like support through therapy and related services is individual. Though there is no one size fits all answer to “how long will it take for therapy to work”, often clients report symptom relief and an improvement in coping after 10-12 weeks for mild depression. Most clients benefit from weekly sessions, however, others do better with biweekly, or even more intensive treatment, of which would likely require a referral. Though rare, some moms want an assessment/screening and tools for coping and referrals and want to be on their way. It cannot be emphasized enough though that therapy and a “prescription” of what to do to cope is not how therapy works- there is no magic bullet for wellness or symptom relief. Despite this truth, in any case, guidelines for coping and referrals for community resources can be helpful and can be provided. Most often, progress is made through the process of therapy and the support it provides.
In some cases, setting up assessments or “check ins” at predetermined intervals can be beneficial. Some moms find comfort in knowing appointments are set in advance. For example, it works well to provide screenings for moms at:
- Birth
- 2 weeks postpartum
- 4 weeks postpartum
- 6 weeks postpartum
- 8 weeks postpartum
- 12 weeks postpartum
- 14 weeks postpartum
- 16 weeks postpartum
Importantly, research shows that 3-4 months postpartum, a mother is at risk for a postpartum mood and anxiety disorder. This may be in part to hormone changes, compounded sleepless nights, and the reality of having a new baby sets in.
Pre-crawling babies are welcome to join in-person or telehealth sessions. Some moms find this helpful, other moms find it difficult to focus during a therapy session.