Interventions we offer
Specialist Occupational Therapy
For those experiencing difficulties adjusting to new roles and identities, occupational imbalance. Also for those struggling with reduced motivation to participate in daily occupations, self neglect, isolation, work issues, sensory processing challenges.
Interventions include; Activity scheduling and re-motivation process., Activity analysis. Environmental and task modifications, Sensory modulation, Healthy habit building, Post birth planning, Mobilising and Expanding Social Support Network, lifestyle redesign, occupational mindfulness.
1:1 and group interventions.
Parent-Infant Interventions
We have specialist parent infant therapists and parent infant practitioners within the team who can support you with your relationship with your baby.
Having a baby is a huge emotional transition for all parents. It can bring feelings of joy, excitement, and love but also feelings of anxiety, sadness, loss, resentment, guilt, and shame. Sometimes difficult past experiences can re-surface, or traumatic experiences related to the pregnancy and birth are present and get entangled in your relationships with your baby. Parent infant therapy provides a space to think about this and how to develop a strong, loving relationship with your baby. Parent-Infant Therapists offer psychological support where the relationship between you and your baby is the main focus of therapy. Parent Infant Practitioners offer emotional support and practical advice to build on your existing strengths and support you to provide sensitive, responsive care for your baby.
Perinatal Psychiatry
- Assessment / Diagnosis / Design of management plans for women presenting with mental health problems in perinatal period
- Pre-conception counselling
- Advice on prescribing in pregnancy and lactation
- Pre-birth care planning for high risk women
- Specialist risk assessment and management advice in perinatal period
- Joint work and joint assessments with Obstetricians
Specialist Perinatal Psychology
For those experiencing anxiety (including perinatal OCD and PTSD/birth trauma), depression, personality disorder, self-harm behaviours, childhood trauma and aid recovery from postpartum psychosis
Approaches used; CBT, ACT, Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy, EMDR, DBT-informed skills, Schema-Focused Therapy.
*Requires motivation and capacity to engage in regular, often weekly, sessions.
*1:1 and group intervention
Specialist Perinatal Assessment
We visit mothers in their own home and make a holistic assessment of how we might be able to support her with her baby or pregnancy. We consider her pregnancy/new baby within the context of her whole life so that the assessment gives a focus on what interventions might be most beneficial. We are proactive in making appropriate referrals and signposting to other services. If necessary, whilst waiting for intervention/follow up, we can remain a short-term point of contact and support with any follow up concerns.
Peer Support
For those that would like someone to talk to that can really relate to how they are feeling and what they are currently going through.
Peer Support Workers have personal experience of mental health challenges during the perinatal period. They can offer a safe and a non-judgemental space for you to talk. They can also offer practical support to help you build confidence in day-to-day activities you may aspire to do with your baby.
1:1 and group intervention.
Care Coordination
Providing additional support for women that require regular contact to meet their potential as a mother.
First point of contact e.g. managing appointments, medication queries, changes in presentation of mental health. Overseeing care plans. Managing and updating referrals within the team i.e. OT, psychology 1:1 or groups. Signposting and completing referrals to other agencies e.g. safeguarding, family centre, home start, wellbeing team, health and social care agencies.
Crisis management and link between disciplines, providing clear, concise summary of assessment and current needs. Supporting the family with the impact mental illness may have on relationships and the home environment.
Family Therapy
For those experiencing challenges in their family relationships (couple relationships, parenting / co-parenting issues, struggles with blended sibling dynamics) in relation to the adjustment of becoming a parent.
Interventions include working directly with the family either in their home or virtually; joining other clinicians supporting families to include a systemic angle; a virtual family therapy clinic in which a team of therapists support the family with a variety of strength-based reflections; offering systemic consultations to think of a way forward for families who feel stuck.