Perinatal Mental Health

What ReImagine Therapy is focusing on

ReImagine Therapy is working hard to try and help people, both in Warrington and in other parts of the UK, access better support for new parents in the pre- and post-natal period in particular. I have been working with parents during this period to help with common difficulties such as; anxiety and depression in pregnancy, birth trauma, perinatal OCD, feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and other elements that arise during such a change in lifestyle, identity and responsibility. More recently, I have paired up with another local therapy service to create a group for new mums (see below).

This work will be expanding over the next few months and more services will be offered too. If you are looking for 1-1 therapy for any difficulties relating to your emotional wellbeing around being a parent or the new identity you are trying to form following this, please get in touch.

Why is this a focus?

As a mum of two young children, I have first-hand experience of the trials and tribulations that new parents go through. From deciding to try to start a family right through to the practical elements of figuring out how to parent, our anxieties can grow and change as we focus on repeatedly building and changing our identities and lifestyles. This can lead to a lot of difficulties with our emotional wellbeing and it can bring some of the most challenging stages of our lives. And yet, supporting our emotional wellbeing at this time is not often prioritised by us thanks to that ‘mum guilt’ (or parent guilt) that gets talked about a lot. Because of this, I am really passionate about encouraging parents to see the benefits to themselves and their children that come when we prioritise our own wellbeing. In addition to this, I have also experienced how difficult it is to connect with others and access groups that encourage the parents to socialise. When even most groups are focused on babies, how do we know it is okay to do something for ourselves? I have worked with a lot of new parents who have been reluctant to get help for themselves because of a combination of this and lack of accessibility for those without childcare (or who don’t feel able to leave babies), leading them to delay support and their problems escalating. A lack of information available on common experiences like intrusive thoughts around harming or inappropriately touching children, or feeling numb or disconnected to the baby, also makes new parents fear asking for help.

I am here to help with this. I have further training and experience in working with many of these difficulties. Therapy and support you can access here will be free of judgement from however you choose to parent, and will ensure that any goals and advice take your parenting priorities into account as well as goals for your emotional wellbeing. This means you will not be told how to feed your baby, whether to sleep train or co-sleep, or when you need to take time for yourself away from the baby. Babies can be brought to sessions when needed and sessions can also take place online to try to work around naps. Start by getting in touch or even by having a look at some of my blog posts to see if you find these helpful.

Mums in Mind

A group for new mums

This is a group designed for mums with young babies and is run by myself, Jessica Hayes, and another local therapist from Runcorn CBT, Lauren Walter. The group is designed to run over 6 weeks and will focus on the mum, whilst providing a safe and entertaining space for babies. The group will encourage peer support whilst using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to teach mums how to look after their emotional wellbeing in a way that is practical for them. Topics we focus on include; tackling mum guilt and common anxieties, looking after ourselves, recognising mental health difficulties that may need more support, and we also link in with other local professionals to get information on other helpful topics. We both have young babies ourselves and we use our personal experiences, in addition to our professional knowledge, to ensure this group is a safe and supportive environment that comes from a place of understanding.

The next group is due to begin in September and will be on offer for £35 for the 6 week course. Please email [email protected] to enquire and book a place.