Pregnancy and the time following birth can bring emotional, physical, and lifestyle changes. Messages from our wider culture, and our families & friends, can leave us feeling confused and more alone. Some parents find themselves feeling anxious, overwhelmed and low, or struggling to bond with their baby. And everything can be compounded by a lack of sleep, changes in our relationships, a difficult birth, feeding challenges, or worries about being a “good parent.” For some, there may be experiences of miscarriage, birth trauma, fertility difficulties, or previous mental health problems. Accessing support can help us to begin to make sense of what we are experiencing, and can reduce the pressure many new parents place on themselves.

Therapy for perinatal mental health is usually supportive, gentle, and focused on the needs of both the parent and baby. A therapist may provide a safe space to talk openly about thoughts and emotions without judgement. Sessions might explore coping strategies, emotional wellbeing, bonding with the baby, confidence in parenting, and ways to manage stress or anxiety. Therapy can take place one-to-one, in groups, or sometimes with partners or babies present. The aim is to help parents feel more supported, emotionally stronger, and better able to care for themselves and their child. Every therapist will have their own unique offering around the experience of babies and birthing.