Self help and psychological therapies « PATH

Treatment Modalities

The main treatment modalities for mental illness in the perinatal period are self-help, psychological therapies and medications.

Type of treatment will depend on nature and severity of symptoms and what modalities are available for the woman and her family.

Self-help resources

Encourage the woman to talk and share her concerns
Encourage her to engage in acts of self-kindness
Healthy diet and exercise play a vital role in maintaining wellbeing
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be effective strategy to reduce depression and manage anxiety

Please refer to ‘Support services for perinatal mental illness’ to access self-help resources

Psychological therapies

Psychological therapies can be offered by a trained therapist in many different ways- one-to-one, in a group, counselling, CBT (face to face, telephone or online), family therapy, trauma-based CBT.

A trained health visitor may be able to offer listening visits.

Local NHS psychological therapies services (IAPT), including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) services can be found using the NHS website.

Local NHS services

Perinatal Treatment is a project supported by funding from the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research (co-funded by the Wellcome Trust and the University of Bristol), along with contributions from University of Bristol alumni and friends.

The project was developed in partnership with the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health and is endorsed by Bluebell Care. Here, you can access dedicated resources for clinicians and health professionals, including guides which accompany selected self-help treatments.

Perinatal Treatment

References-

NICE Guidance CG192 Antenatal and postnatal mental health: clinical management and service guidance.