top of page
mother and baby charcoal _edited_edited.

Perinatal Psychology

Perinatal psychology aims to support parents with psychological aspects of the perinatal period, encompassing pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. My approach to perinatal psychology uses an attachment based lens, and considers the biological, emotional, cognitive, social, and relational experiences of expectant parents, new parents, and their infants. It is well known that many factors influence our mental health during this critical time, including:

  • Prenatal stress

  • Past losses

  • Pregnancy complications

  • Birth trauma

  • Societal messages and pressures

  • Relationship health

  • Our experiences of being parented as children

  • Our social support network

  • Physical health conditions

  • Baby's temperament

  • Sleep deprivation 

 

Perinatal psychology aims to provide support in order to promote positive parent-infant bonding, maternal/parental mental health, and family well-being. Additionally, perinatal psychology addresses the unique psychological needs of individuals and couples navigating fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and neonatal intensive care experiences. By understanding the complexities of the perinatal period, perinatal psychology aims to enhance the psychological resilience and overall mental health of families as they transition into parenthood.

What is Perinatal Psychology? 

Mother-baby bonding attachment therapy

The perinatal period can be psychologically challenging for individuals due to the myriad of physical, emotional, and social changes experienced during this time. Pregnancy often brings forth a whirlwind of emotions ranging from excitement and joy to anxiety and fear about birth and the impending responsibilities of parenthood. The postpartum period following birth commonly brings about a range of emotional struggles, as parents adjust to new roles and shifts in identity, against a backdrop of sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, and the demands of caring for a newborn. Moreover, societal expectations and cultural norms surrounding "motherhood" can contribute to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and isolation when new parents pressure themselves to meet society's unrealistic standards. 

​

​

Common Perinatal Concerns 

The common perinatal psychology issues that psychology can help with include:

  • Perinatal depression and anxiety

  • Difficulties with postnatal adjustment (e.g. adjusting to new family roles, low sense of maternal confidence or competence, forming a healthy maternal identity, a sense of not coping) 

  • Preparing for birth and parenthood following previous mental illness or trauma

  • Birth trauma

  • Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD occurring during pregnancy or the year following birth)

  • Difficulties with parent-infant bonding and attachment

  • Infant sleeping difficulties

  • Infertility and infertility treatment distress

  • Family relationship difficulties

​

Perinatal Psychology for families

Psychotherapy Approach to Postnatal Depression

I largely draw upon attachment based approaches, including the Circle of Security model and Interpersonal Psychotherapy, when working with parents in the postnatal period. Attachment-based psychotherapy, offers a valuable approach for addressing postnatal depression by keeping the interpersonal relationships and attachment dynamics within the parent-infant dyad at the forefront. Psychotherapy aims to identify and address difficulties in the parent's relationships, especially with their infant, partner, and support network and explore experiences related to motherhood/parenthood, attachment, and maternal/parental self-esteem. The goals of therapy are very individual but can often relate to promoting a positive maternal/parental identity, sense of connection with baby, sense of maternal/parental confidence, and positive partner and/or family relationships. By addressing these goals and fostering secure attachment bonds, psychotherapy empowers parents to navigate the challenges of the postnatal period more effectively, promoting emotional well-being and the healthy development of their infant.  

​

bottom of page