Postnatal Depression
Postnatal depression therapist & counselling – postnatal depression affects more than 1 in 10 women within a year after giving birth. Our therapists can help and support you through this time.
We are 100% online. You can chat, video, message or email your therapist in addition to your private online therapy sessions.
We are 100% online. You can chat, video, message or email your therapist in addition to your private online therapy sessions.
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What is postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression is a type of depression that affects more than 1 in 10 women within a year after giving birth. It has also been known to affect fathers and partners. Our specialist menopause and women’s health therapists are here to support you psychologically and emotionally through this time.
It is not at all uncommon for women to feel a bit tearful and anxious in the first two weeks after giving birth, this is what is known as the ‘baby blues’. Although, if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, it may be a sign of depression. We can help you to recognise and understand the symptoms as well as giving you the right tools and coping strategies.
It is not at all uncommon for women to feel a bit tearful and anxious in the first two weeks after giving birth, this is what is known as the ‘baby blues’. Although, if these symptoms last longer than two weeks, it may be a sign of depression. We can help you to recognise and understand the symptoms as well as giving you the right tools and coping strategies.
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What are the symptoms of postnatal depression?
There are a number of symptoms associated with postnatal depression, these are some of the most common:
- A continual feeling of sadness and low mood
- Apathy towards the wider world
- Feeling tired all the time
- Insomnia and feeling sleepy during the day.
- Finding it difficult to bond with your baby.
- Becoming a recluse
- Difficulty concentrating and being indecisive.
- Negative thoughts – for instance, about hurting your baby.
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What are the causes of postnatal depression?
The causes of postnatal depression are not completely understood. There are a number of factors that can make a person more prone to postnatal depression. These include:
- Experiencing recent stressful life events and trauma such as a bereavement
- A history of mental health issues in earlier life
- A history of mental health issues during pregnancy
- Having no close friends or family around to support you.
- Undergoing psychological or physical trauma, such as domestic violence
How does counselling for postpartum depression work?
Counselling for postnatal depression helps and supports those who are feeling overwhelmed by the arrival of a new baby. These feelings are normal, they may come and go, they may be constant, and they may become serious. This is where we can help.
Depression is a recognised illness, as is postnatal depression. It can undermine confidence, motivation, and the quality of life. Depression can be persistent and be a recurring illness. Some people may be vulnerable to depression, or even susceptible to depression.
Severe depression may lead to thoughts of self-harm or even suicide. Whilst depression counselling will help, some people may be under a GP for medication as well as seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist. Some people with depression may be referred to a counsellor or a psychotherapist by a psychiatrist or vice versa.
Depression is a recognised illness, as is postnatal depression. It can undermine confidence, motivation, and the quality of life. Depression can be persistent and be a recurring illness. Some people may be vulnerable to depression, or even susceptible to depression.
Severe depression may lead to thoughts of self-harm or even suicide. Whilst depression counselling will help, some people may be under a GP for medication as well as seeing a counsellor or psychotherapist. Some people with depression may be referred to a counsellor or a psychotherapist by a psychiatrist or vice versa.
Together, our network of therapists have treated thousands of patients
Client success stories
“I just wanted to thank you for all your help. I really feel like I’m getting better and starting to become the person who I really am.”
“I’m so grateful to Pinnacle for giving me the chance to get rid of my fears and for my new found confidence.”
“The best investment I have ever made, how can you put a price on quality of life? Would recommend for anyone suffering from anxiety.”
How a postpartum depression specialist can help
At Pinnacle, we have a large amount of experience in treating postnatal depression therapy. We recognise that every individual is truly unique, and this makes our methods of practice evermore important in treating something like postnatal depression.
The first part of our approach is thoroughly understanding you; our client. Each woman we see exhibits a different combination of symptoms and needs support in a way that works for them and their specific situation. We will help you to acknowledge and accept the symptoms you are experiencing and create a workable plan where you have the tools you need to cope with anything perimenopause and menopause throws at you.
It is crucial to us that we take a holistic approach. This means that it can be common practice for us to blend and use various therapies. Also known as ‘integrative counselling’, it ensures that you receive unique and tailored treatments to satisfy your needs. Some therapies we might use include hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and talking therapies such as psychotherapy and counselling techniques. One of the primary treatments we recommend for postnatal depression is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
The first part of our approach is thoroughly understanding you; our client. Each woman we see exhibits a different combination of symptoms and needs support in a way that works for them and their specific situation. We will help you to acknowledge and accept the symptoms you are experiencing and create a workable plan where you have the tools you need to cope with anything perimenopause and menopause throws at you.
It is crucial to us that we take a holistic approach. This means that it can be common practice for us to blend and use various therapies. Also known as ‘integrative counselling’, it ensures that you receive unique and tailored treatments to satisfy your needs. Some therapies we might use include hypnotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and talking therapies such as psychotherapy and counselling techniques. One of the primary treatments we recommend for postnatal depression is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
What is CBT and mindfulness CBT?
between your thoughts and feelings, and how they make you ‘default’ to certain behaviours. It is seen as a different kind of ‘talking therapy’ that aims to solve a person’s current problems. In effect it helps you become your own therapist, where you use the skills you have learned.
By using CBT, we can help make you aware of what your own defaults are: sometimes they help us, sometimes they don’t – CBT helps you recognise those different responses for what they are. Our CBT classes will assist you in conquering the negative beliefs you have by teaching new behaviours and thought patterns, easing you back into normal life. Postnatal depression can be a very sensitive issue for a lot of people. It can often create resentment towards the child, their partner and themselves. This is why no client information is ever passed on to third parties.
By using CBT, we can help make you aware of what your own defaults are: sometimes they help us, sometimes they don’t – CBT helps you recognise those different responses for what they are. Our CBT classes will assist you in conquering the negative beliefs you have by teaching new behaviours and thought patterns, easing you back into normal life. Postnatal depression can be a very sensitive issue for a lot of people. It can often create resentment towards the child, their partner and themselves. This is why no client information is ever passed on to third parties.
How does CBT therapy help treat postnatal depression?
CBT has good results when applied to someone who suffers from postnatal depression. Using cognitive therapy, your therapist can help you to tackle negative thought patterns you may direct at yourself or that you perceive from the world around you. It is usually these negative thoughts that trigger postnatal depression.
After you have recognised these negative thoughts and when they occur, you can work to replace them with something more rational and positive which will allow you to cope with anxiety in a calm and controlled manner.
CBT is a way to rewire the software of your brain, rehearsing troubling situations in your mind to create alternative ways of thinking when that situation arises again. In effect, you are creating new mental circuitry by challenging and changing old responses that feel hardwired in but are not.
With CBT, the therapist acknowledges that there may be behaviours that you cannot control through rational thought. Rather, these harmful coping strategies are because of prior conditioning from the environment and other internal or external stimuli. By taking (what can feel like) insurmountable tasks and teaching you how to apply a pragmatic and objective viewpoint to these issues, CBT gradually changes the way you look at everyday challenges.
After you have recognised these negative thoughts and when they occur, you can work to replace them with something more rational and positive which will allow you to cope with anxiety in a calm and controlled manner.
CBT is a way to rewire the software of your brain, rehearsing troubling situations in your mind to create alternative ways of thinking when that situation arises again. In effect, you are creating new mental circuitry by challenging and changing old responses that feel hardwired in but are not.
With CBT, the therapist acknowledges that there may be behaviours that you cannot control through rational thought. Rather, these harmful coping strategies are because of prior conditioning from the environment and other internal or external stimuli. By taking (what can feel like) insurmountable tasks and teaching you how to apply a pragmatic and objective viewpoint to these issues, CBT gradually changes the way you look at everyday challenges.
How we work
Our specialist postnatal depression and women’s health therapists will work with you to create a tailored approach meaning you get the right support at the right time. We work around you, your circumstance, and your schedule. We are 100% online offering private video call therapy sessions, as well as the opportunity to message your mediator when needed, including email and live chat assistance.
Get in touch to find out more about our postnatal therapy and counselling
Get in touch to find out more about our postnatal therapy and counselling
