Perinatal Psychological Therapy & Counselling

Written on: 1 March 2025

Perinatal Therapy

Perinatal therapy focuses on the emotional and mental well-being of women during pregnancy and the first year after birth, which can be an incredibly intense and transformative time. You’re dealing with physical changes, adjusting to a new role as a parent, and facing pressures or challenges that you didn’t anticipate. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed, but sometimes those feelings can be really heavy or hard to navigate on your own.

Therapy during this time can help with all sorts of things—whether it’s managing anxiety or depression, addressing feelings of isolation, or finding better ways to cope with the ups and downs of new motherhood. It’s also a chance to talk about any fears or concerns about pregnancy, birth, or parenting in a safe, non-judgmental space.

What makes perinatal therapy especially important is that it acknowledges the deep emotional impact of this period—not just on mothers, but also on partners and families. It can help you strengthen your mental health, so you’re better equipped to care for yourself and your baby. It’s about building resilience, learning coping strategies, and finding support during a time when the changes are so profound.

Infographic showing results of a Survey conducted by Netmums on women who had Mental Health Problems

Results from a survey via Netmums of more than 1,500 women who had perinatal mental health problems, conducted by Boots Family Trust Alliance (Tommy’s, Royal College of Midwives, Institute for Health Visiting and Netmums) in 2013 (Tommy’s, 2013)

Getting Support

It’s so important to recognise trauma reactions can happen after birth, they are valid and real, and you’re not alone in experiencing them. Birth, whether it’s straightforward or not, can be overwhelming, and it can leave emotional and psychological scars that need care and attention. If you’re struggling with feelings like anxiety, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or feeling detached from your baby or yourself, it might be helpful to talk to someone who can support you through this. Here are a few ways you can get the help you need:

  1. Speak to Your GP – If you haven’t already, your GP can be a good first point of contact. They can listen to your concerns, assess how you’re feeling, and guide you towards appropriate services, whether that’s therapy or support groups.
  2. Postnatal Care – Sometimes, your midwife or health visitor can be a good source of support in the weeks and months after birth. They’re trained to notice signs of postnatal mental health struggles and can offer practical help or refer you to specialist services.
  3. Talking Therapies – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be very effective in treating trauma reactions. Speaking to a therapist with experience in birth trauma might help you process the experience in a supportive environment.
  4. Support Groups – There are many online and in-person support groups specifically for those who’ve experienced birth trauma. Sometimes, just knowing others have been through something similar can be a huge comfort. Groups can be found through charities like Birth Trauma Association or PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Advice and Support).
  5. Mental Health Support – If your reactions feel overwhelming, it might be worth reaching out to a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, who can provide specialised help for trauma and recovery.
  6. Consider Your Physical Recovery – Sometimes, trauma reactions are linked to physical healing after birth, especially if you’ve had a difficult delivery or injury. Ensuring you’re physically recovering and getting the proper support for that could help ease some of the emotional strain too.

It’s vital to remember that your feelings are completely valid, and reaching out for help is a strong and important step. You deserve the support to help you heal, so don’t hesitate to ask for it when you need it.

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