Counselling during Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a particularly challenging times for women’s mental health, often requiring professional support. During pregnancy, a woman experiences a multitude of rapid changes to her body, brain, and her hormonal system, as well as going through complex identity adjustments.
If you are pregnant, you may find yourself thinking:
“How am I going to cope when the baby arrives?”
“My partner doesn’t seem to understand how hard this pregnancy has… I feel so alone.”
“I’m worried that I am going to fall apart after the baby comes…”
“My mother and sister both had serious postpartum anxiety… is this going to happen to me?”
The perinatal period (prenatal + 1 year postpartum) is a time of significant change. It should come as no surprise that approximately 1 in 7 women, and 1 in 10 partners, will experience a Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD) (Canadian Psychological Association).
There are also many individuals who may not meet all of the criteria for a PMAD diagnosis, and yet still experience significant anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy.
If you'd like to create a smoother transition into parenthood, we can help!
Using evidence-based methods, this Prenatal Mental Health Check-up appointment includes:
- an assessment of perinatal mental health risk factors
- education on common emotional changes during pregnancy + postpartum
- practical coping strategies tailored to your needs
- a personalized Postpartum Wellness Plan
- resources to support you at home
This session is ideal for those experiencing anticipatory anxiety, if you are wanting to reduce your risk of postpartum challenges, or simply are hoping to feel more confident going into parenthood. Partners are welcome and encouraged to attend this session. If you are a couple looking for support, please book a ‘Couples Support’ or ‘Couples Counselling‘ session.
Prenatal Mental Health Planning
Sara Longman
This is a 75-minute, one-time education session with our Perinatal Mental Health specialist
It is designed to help you feel more prepared, informed, and supported as you move through your pregnancy and into postpartum.
This service is recommended from 12 weeks of pregnancy onward.
Follow-up counselling sessions are of course available if you’d like ongoing support.
How Can Therapy During Pregnancy Help?
Learn new ways of coping.
We’ll examine what you’re already doing to support yourself (you may not be aware of it yet, but there’s always something helpful you’re already doing). We will also explore customized strategies for you to add to your “coping toolbox”. Counselling can help you learn self-compassion and uncover new mindsets to get through this challenging time.
Recognize familiar patterns that are showing up.
The relationship we have with our emotional self begins to develop in childhood, and quite often psychological challenges that are showing up today are actually old or familiar messages from childhood. A significant life event (like pregnancy), has a way of triggering our past emotions and old wounds.
Assess mental health symptoms & risk factors for PMADs.
Your therapist will assess the severity of your Perintal Mood & Anxiety symptoms and you’ll be able to discuss what seems “normal” for you. From here, treatment planning will support improved mental health outcomes postpartum.
MATRESCENCE: the transition into motherhood
The critical transition period which has been missed is MATRESCENCE, the time of mother-becoming… during this process, this rite of passage, changes occur in a woman’s physical state, in her status within the group, in her emotional life, in her focus of daily activity.”
― Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t need to go through this alone. Counselling during pregnancy can help support you in this life-changing time, as well as lead to improved mental health outcomes. We have a team of counsellors that can help you deal with the distressing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. If you’re not sure what kind of support you need, we’ll be happy to match you with a counsellor who can help you feel more like yourself.
Our Pregnancy Mental Health Counsellors
Alexandra Stewart
Ruth Skutezky