Why Perinatal Mental Health Matters (And How Therapy Helps)

Perinatal therapists are mental health professionals with specialized training to support the emotional, psychological, and relational challenges faced by individuals during pregnancy and early parenthood. Perinatal specifically refers to the time that you become pregnant and up to one year postpartum.

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What To Expect in Perinatal Therapy

Whether you've been in counseling before or you're considering taking the leap and trying it for the first time, therapy can sometimes feel intimidating. Maybe you're apprehensive about what to talk about or you're nervous about sharing something for the first time. If you've decided to take that next step, we are so proud of you. Whether you're an expecting mother or a mother of multiples, we know that there's not a lot of extra time in your days to focus on our own wellbeing.

Here are a few topics you can expect to potentially discuss with your therapist over the course of your time together:

• Emotional Well Being

• Postpartum Mental Health

• Perinatal Mood Disorders

• Adjustment to the Postpartum Period

• Parent Child Attachment and Bonding

• Relationship Challenges

• Self Care

• Grief, loss and fertility challenges

• Birth Trauma

• Postpartum Intimacy

• Creating a postpartum care plan

What is a PMH-C?

Therapists often have acronyms following their names, which can sometimes be confusing to interpret. Typically, the first set of letters denotes the clinician’s licensure level, while additional acronyms reflect specialized training or certifications they have completed. Understanding these designations can offer valuable insight into a therapist’s qualifications and areas of expertise.

A PMH-C stands for a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Provider. PMH-C qualifications include two years of work experience with the perinatal population, education and credentials, perinatal mental health training totaling of 20 hours, as well as a passing score on the PMH-C exam.

The PMH-C credential is awarded by Postpartum Support International (PSI), the foremost global organization focused on perinatal mental health. Since its founding in 1987, PSI has led efforts to raise awareness, promote prevention, and enhance treatment for mental health challenges associated with pregnancy and childbirth worldwide. The organization offers a wide range of support services, including a helpline, virtual support groups, educational materials, and professional training programs.

Postpartum Support International also has a directory of providers who have received their PMH-C. You can search for providers based on geographical location and topic. Finding a therapist with additional perinatal training can be extremely valuable as you begin your counseling journey as a new or expecting mother.

Do All Therapists Have Perinatal Training?

Not all therapists have perinatal training. While all therapists have general training in mental health, perinatal therapists have chosen to specialize and seek additional trainings to work with this population.

What are Perinatal Mood Disorders?

Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMADs) are a group of mental health conditions that can occur during pregnancy (prenatal) and after childbirth (postpartum). They affect not only birthing individuals but also partners and adoptive parents. PMADs include: postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, perinatal panic disorder, perinatal OCD, postpartum PTSD, perinatal bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis.

When is the best time to start perinatal psychotherapy? During pregnancy, postpartum, or both?

The ideal time to begin perinatal therapy truly depends on each person’s unique journey. Starting therapy during pregnancy offers an opportunity for prevention and emotional preparation, while also creating space to explore the profound identity shifts and changes that often accompany the transition to motherhood.

Engaging in therapy postpartum can provide essential support for managing mental health symptoms, adjusting to life with a new baby, and nurturing the bond between parent and child.

For those who choose to begin therapy during pregnancy and continue into the postpartum period, the benefits can be especially meaningful—allowing for early identification of risk factors for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and ensuring ongoing, compassionate support as new challenges and experiences unfold.

Upcoming Blog Posts

As we wrap up our deep dive into perinatal therapy and the significance of perinatal mental health training, it's equally important to explore the practical ways this knowledge translates into real-life support for new and expecting parents. From preparing emotionally and mentally for the postpartum period to understanding anxiety during pregnancy and navigating the effects of birth trauma, the journey to parenthood is complex and deeply personal. In the following sections, we'll delve into these critical topics, highlight the importance of building a strong support system—or “village”—and discuss how collaborative care among providers can make a lasting difference in perinatal mental health outcomes.

How to Prepare for Postpartum

Creating a Postpartum Plan is a great way to help alleviate anxiety while preparing for the transition from pregnancy to postpartum. The postpartum period can be full of challenges, and taking the time to carefully reflect on concerns, needs and support can help expecting parents long term.

Anxiety in Pregnancy

As you transition into motherhood, it's completely normal to experience some anxiety. Anxiety can be described as experiencing nervousness, worry or concern. Anxiety can be experienced at any time in your life whether that's pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy or after delivery. Postpartum anxiety most often beings right after delivery and up to six weeks postpartum, however sometimes anxiety will occur up to a year after delivery.

Birth Trauma

Birth trauma is any physical or emotional pain you experience before, during or after childbirth. Sometimes these symptoms can be enough for a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Birth traumas are often rooted in feelings of helplessness and a loss of control. Birth traumas can impact the birthing person as well as the partner.

Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash

Creating Your Village

Most of us have heard the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child." What does it mean to have a village and how do we cultivate it? The first step involves reflecting on your village. Who do you have in your village already that has shown support for you in the past? Who could be considered support for you? Reflecting on support as you navigate this new season can help feelings of isolation and loneliness.

How Providers Can Work Together

When OB/GYNs, doulas, physical therapists, mental health clinicians, and other birthing professionals collaborate, it can make a world of difference for growing families. Working together means blending medical knowledge with emotional and holistic support, which helps parents feel more cared for and confident.

Final Thoughts

Our approach at Steady Hope is warm, individualized, and grounded in real expertise with pregnancy, postpartum, fertility, and relationship-related challenges.

We’re proud to have several clinicians specially trained in perinatal mental health. We invite you to explore their bios and see if one feels like the right fit for you—someone you’d feel comfortable connecting with on your journey.

If you or someone you care about is going through emotional challenges during pregnancy or after birth, reaching out to a perinatal therapist can be a gentle, empowering step toward healing. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone—support is available to help you care for your mental health and find moments of connection, strength, and joy in parenthood.