Perinatal Therapy

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Perinatal Therapy

Perinatal therapy is for women and men experiencing difficulties with your mental health, adjusting to parenthood or developing a relationship with your baby during pregnancy or in the postnatal period.   

Becoming a parent can be one of the most rewarding yet also one of the most challenging and emotional experiences of our lives. It is normal and understandable that our mental health might be affected during this time. We know that up to 20% of all men and women becoming parents will experience a mental health difficulty either during the pregnancy or in the postnatal period. It might be that an existing problem gets worse, or you develop a mental health problem for the first time.  

The most common mental health difficulties that happen during this period of time include feeling low in mood or depressed, feeling overly anxious or worried about a range of things including the health and safety of your baby, feeling overwhelmed by parenthood and all that it entails and difficulties bonding with your baby.   

We know that without the right help and support, mental health difficulties during pregnancy and the postnatal period can have significant and long-lasting effects on the woman, the child, and the wider family. At Sage, our trained professionals have experience of working with women, their partners, babies, and families experiencing a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties during pregnancy and in the postnatal period, using evidence-based therapy models.  

Our Services Include: 

  • Working together to develop a shared understanding of your mental health difficulties and a plan to improve and manage your mental health during pregnancy and beyond.   
  • Working together with you, your partner and family to help them understand your mental health or emotional difficulties and know how to best support you so that you stay as well as possible during pregnancy and after your baby is born.  
  • Helping you plan for your care during pregnancy, birth, and postnatal period and work closely with your midwife, obstetrician and others involved in your care.  
  • Supporting you to build both a positive relationship with your baby and to develop confidence in being a parent.   
  • Making sure that you, your partner and family have the information you need – and can get advice – about emotional and mental health difficulties and treatment.  
  • If needed, help you weigh up the risks and benefits of using medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Who can benefit from perinatal therapy?

  • If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health during your current pregnancy or since your baby was born.   
  • If you have a previous history of mental health difficulties during pregnancy or the postnatal period and worry about these difficulties happening again in a future or current pregnancy or now that your baby is here  
  • If you are finding managing your emotions during pregnancy or in the postnatal period difficult   
  • If you are experiencing difficulties bonding with your baby now, either during pregnancy or in the postnatal period   
  • If you have experienced difficulty bonding with a baby/babies in the past, and worry about this happening again in your current pregnancy or with your baby now   
  • If you experienced difficulties in your childhood or have difficult relationships with your parents and are worried about ‘repeating the same patterns’ with your own children   
  • If you experienced a traumatic birth in the past and are worried about giving birth again   
  • If you want a space to explore your identity and approach as a parent, and help to become the sort of parent you want to be. 

 

  

Dr Romena Toki Clinical Psychologist, Child, Adolescent & Adult Specialist

Dr Romen Toki had the privilege of working with children and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds in the UK and now in the UAE.

Dr Bisi Laniyan Clinical Psychologist, Adult Specialist

Dr Bisi Laniyan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience in the mental health and wellbeing sector.

Everyone deserves Our special care

Emma's Journey

Emma, a 30-year-old first-time mother, sought treatment at Sage Clinic for postnatal depression following the birth of her daughter. Despite the joy of becoming a mother, Emma found herself overwhelmed by intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, and inadequacy in the weeks following childbirth. She struggled to bond with her baby, experienced frequent crying spells, and felt exhausted both physically and emotionally.

Emma's and her psychologist explored her symptoms of postnatal depression included persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, difficulty sleeping even when her baby slept, loss of appetite, and a lack of interest in activities she once enjoyed. She often felt irritable and easily overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood, experiencing frequent bouts of crying and emotional distress. One of the most challenging aspects of Emma's experience was the overwhelming sense of shame and guilt she felt for not being able to cope with motherhood as she had expected. She compared herself to other mothers who appeared to have it all together, feeling like a failure for struggling to bond with her baby and manage daily tasks.

Emma was introduced to therapy as the main intervention for her postnatal depression at Sage Clinic. During her therapy sessions, Emma worked closely with her therapist to explore the underlying factors contributing to her depression and develop coping strategies to manage her symptoms effectively. Sessions provided a safe and supportive space for her to express her feelings of shame, guilt, and inadequacy without judgment. She learned to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about herself as a mother, recognizing that it's okay to ask for help and that no one has it all figured out.

In addition to individual therapy, Emma's partner attended some sessions to provide support and gain a better understanding of Emma's experience with postnatal depression. Together, they explored ways to strengthen their relationship, communicate more effectively, and share the responsibilities of caring for their baby.

Through therapy, Emma gained insight into the importance of self-care and prioritizing her own well-being as a mother. She learned practical strategies to manage stress, improve sleep hygiene, and cultivate a support network of family and friends. Emma also participated in support groups for mothers experiencing postnatal depression, finding solace and encouragement from others who shared similar struggles.

Though Emma's journey with postnatal depression was not without its ups and downs, as she progressed through her therapy sessions, she began to notice significant improvements in her mood and overall well-being. She felt more confident in her ability to navigate the challenges of motherhood and embraced her role as a mother with greater self-compassion and resilience., whilst enjoying moments with her baby

FAQ's

What types of mental health issues are common during the perinatal period?

How do I know if I need support for perinatal mental health?

What services are available for perinatal mental health support?

How can perinatal mental health services help me?

When should I seek help for perinatal mental health concerns?

Will my sessions be confidential?

I am still not sure if I need to see someone. Can you advise me?

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How it works

We know it’s likely to have been a struggle to get this far, but we are with you every step of the way. Our process is simple – we work with you to develop a unique plan and provide the a level of support according to your needs, whilst ensuring measurable and sustainable outcomes.

Appointment

Book an appointment by calling us on +971 4 575 5684 (or you can book online) and tell us what you are having difficulty with.

Consultation

We offer availability with highly experienced therapists suited to your needs and book the appointment for you.

Therapy

Meet the practitioner and begin the road to self-improvement. Have any concerns? Let us know so we can assist.

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We always care about
your mental health

Our goal is to support individuals, couples, families and groups experiencing challenges with mental, behavioral or emotional wellbeing to overcome these challenges, learn new skills, and thrive at life.