1. Assessing and Diagnosing Mental Health Conditions

• One of our therapists will conduct thorough assessments to identify signs of perinatal mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Often, symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions overlap with normal life stressors during pregnancy or after birth, and a therapist can help differentiate between typical and clinical concerns.
• You’ll be provided an official diagnosis if necessary, guiding appropriate treatment options.

2. Providing Emotional Support

• Pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming and isolating experiences, and a therapist provides a safe space to process difficult emotions. Whether someone feels fear, guilt, anger, sadness, or confusion, we’ll work with you to help normalize and validate those feelings.
• PWG offers a non-judgmental, empathetic space for individuals to talk through their challenges, ensuring they don’t feel alone.

3. Developing Coping Strategies

• Therapists often use evidence-based strategies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to help individuals manage anxiety, negative thought patterns, and emotional dysregulation.
• Coping mechanisms for managing stress, such as breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, grounding exercises, and positive self-talk, can be taught.
• We may also help clients reframe unhelpful thoughts or beliefs (e.g., unrealistic expectations around motherhood) and explore strategies for better mental and emotional resilience.

4. Addressing Trauma or Birth-Related Trauma

• If a person has experienced a traumatic birth, a trained therapist can help process and heal from trauma. Therapies like Trauma-Focused CBT or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help individuals process distressing memories and reduce trauma-related symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or hypervigilance.
• Our therapists can help with the feelings of helplessness or loss of control that often accompany a difficult childbirth experience, improving one’s ability to engage in parenting and self-care after the event.

5. Managing Relationship Strain

• The perinatal period can place stress on relationships, whether it’s with a partner, family members, or friends. We offer both individual and couples therapy to strengthen communication, address misunderstandings, and provide tools to navigate relationship challenges.
• Couples therapy may also be helpful for partners who are struggling to connect with each other while adjusting to the demands of parenthood.

6. Supporting Identity and Role Transitions

• Many individuals experience a shift in identity during the perinatal period, moving from a non-parent to a parent. This can bring up a sense of loss, confusion, or a need for reinvention. We’ll guide you through these transitions, helping you explore and redefine your sense of self and role as a parent.
• We also offer support individuals in managing the pressures or expectations that come with these new roles, which might include the “ideal mother” or “perfect parent” stereotype.

7. Reducing Stigma and Building Confidence

• There’s often stigma around perinatal mental health issues, with some people feeling ashamed or afraid to admit they’re struggling. We will work with you to break this stigma by normalizing the experience and offering reassurance that seeking help is a healthy and important step.
• During the process, we’ll work with you to build confidence by helping you develop self-compassion, self-acceptance, and realistic expectations for yourself as you navigate your new reality.

8. Providing Psychoeducation

• Education on perinatal mental health issues is crucial. We help our clients understand what is happening in their bodies and minds during the perinatal period. This could include explaining hormonal changes, sleep disruptions, and the psychological impact of birth or breastfeeding.
• Understanding these changes can reduce fear and confusion, normalize the experience, and encourage proactive self-care.

9. Collaboration with Other Professionals

• In some cases, we may collaborate with other healthcare providers, such as obstetricians, pediatricians, or psychiatrists, to ensure comprehensive care. This is especially important if someone is experiencing severe mental health challenges, as a team-based approach ensures that physical and mental health needs are addressed.
• For example, if medication is necessary (such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications), we may work with a psychiatrist to monitor progress and adjust treatment.

10. Helping with Parenting Challenges

• Many perinatal mental health issues are intertwined with the stresses of adjusting to parenthood. We’ll help new parents navigate common challenges like sleep deprivation, breastfeeding difficulties, and the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a newborn.
• We can also provide parenting strategies that promote mental health for both parents and children, supporting overall family well-being.