As many as 20 percent or more of women who give birth experience postpartum depression (PPD). This can have negative affects on long-term mental health, mother-baby attachment, child care, child development, and the mother’s other relationships.
While the right treatment for PPD may differ depending on individual needs, counseling is one of the most successful options. Here are some ways to make the most of counseling for PPD.
- Start counseling early.
Whenever possible, pregnant women should begin counseling before giving birth, even if they are not sure they are at risk of PPD. Starting early helps establish a trusted relationship with a counselor who can provide support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Starting counseling and therapy before birth can give the client time to identify concerns beforehand, such as relationship difficulties or specific fears around birth or parenting. That way, she can work on building coping skills and resolving issues before they may become bigger issues.
By establishing a relationship early on, the counselor may help the client differentiate between feelings that existed before childbirth, and those that may be caused by postpartum hormones and PPD. This can help provide perspective and guide treatment methods.
- Keep up with counseling after birth.
Many people may be aware of the “fourth trimester,” the three months after birth when both mother and baby are adjusting to enormous changes in their lives. However, parenting brings challenges long after those three months are over. PPD can develop up to a year after giving birth.
Even if a woman feels perfectly content—even “normal”—a few weeks or months after birth, she should continue to check in with her counselor. An occasional appointment, even once a month, can help identify or prevent mental health symptoms that may arise later. This will also allow the counselor to gauge the client’s progress.
- Counseling doesn’t have to be one-on-one.
Although individual therapy is the best way to get individualized support for PPD, it is not the only type of counseling that can support pregnant and postpartum women. Other options can either supplement, or substitute for, individual counseling.
For example, local or online support groups for mothers and women with PPD can be a source of comfort or advice. Support groups centered around a particular topic, such as breastfeeding or recovering from a c-section, can offer advice and a sense of community during what can be an isolating time for new mothers. Couples counseling can help mothers and their partners better navigate the changes and challenges of a new baby, which may help manage or reduce the symptoms of PPD.
- Counseling shouldn’t be the only tool.
Therapy can be immensely valuable for women struggling with (or at risk of) PPD. However, mental health concerns often require more than one treatment option for optimal results.
If you are a mental health professional who supports women with PPD, consider encouraging the following:
- Medications for depression or anxiety
- Supportive relationships with loved ones
- Healthy lifestyle choices, such as diet and appropriate exercise
- Time spent outdoors whenever possible
- Asking for help, such as childcare or housework
Pregnancy and the postpartum period can be challenging times. Behavioral health treatment can make a huge difference for mothers and their babies.
For mental health professionals, tracking client data and outcomes can help identify the most effective treatment approach. BestNotes EHR solutions, designed specifically for behavioral health providers, includes OutcomeTools, which removes the stress from outcome studies. Contact us today to learn more!