Supporting Perinatal Mental Health
Mental health resources from pre-conception to the first year following pregnancy conclusion.
Perinatal Mental Health Clinic
Perinatal Mental Health Care
Our clinic is dedicated to providing mental health evaluation and treatment services tailored to the unique needs of expecting and post partum people. Our team offers a safe and nurturing environment for patients to address their perinatal mental health concerns, empowering them to make informed and shared decisions about the best individual path forward.
Perinatal Mental Health Evaluation
Individualized care for perinatal patients with existing mental health diagnoses, new symptom onset, or who are at risk for developing mental health difficulties during the perinatal time frame. The perinatal time period is typically considered conception to 12 months after pregnancy completion. Common mental health diagnoses that overlap the perinatal period include anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, grief, trauma, substance use disorders, and other related conditions.
Postpartum Support Planning
The time following a pregnancy can have a range of emotional and physical events. Planning for nutrition, sleep, and social support ahead of pregnancy conclusion has many benefits. We are happy to work together to create individualized postpartum plans.
Perinatal Therapy
Therapy comes in many types. We are happy to connect you with the appropriate therapy for your situation. Some examples of therapeutic techniques that are often used include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), and Supportive Therapy. HOW TO FIND A PERINATAL THERAPIST COMING SOON!
Delivery communication and preference planning
Pregnancy conclusion comes in many forms and the process often includes many choices and decisions along the way. Communication optimization for the individual person, risk assessment, and identification of supports and advocates are some of the tools we can utilize to increase satisfaction with concluding experiences. Birth preference visits are offered.
Perinatal adjustment or grief support
The change of expectation that comes with unexpected fetal or neonatal diagnoses can include many emotions. The loss of a desired pregnancy, loss of a child, or loss of a loved one can complicate pregnancy and recovery in several ways. Help and support to walk through these times are available, including connection to group support.
Tools for Wellness
MINDSS
MINDSS stands for: Movement, Improvement, Nutrition, vitamin D (outside time), Sleep, and Social Supports. Easing our activities of daily living strengthens our scaffolding. WAYS TO OPTIMIZE THESE COMING SOON!
Therapies
Therapies come in many types and may include physical or psychological strengthening. They can be done individually, in pairs, in groups, in person, or virtually. There are many ways to get connected, from personal recommendations to online searches. HOW TO FIND A PERINATAL THERAPIST COMING SOON!
Medications
Medications come in many forms. The goal of medication use in perinatal mental health treatment is to reduce the risks that inherently come with untreated conditions. For example, untreated, severe anxiety and depression in pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk for preterm delivery and smaller than expected fetal growth. Treatment can help reduce these risks. It is important to have "Risk vs Risk vs Benefit" discussions with your provider about medication use in pregnancy. This means discussion of the risk of untreated illness, the risk of medication use, and the benefit of medication use. The balance of these considerations is used to make recommendations regarding medication use for perinatal mental health conditions.
Empowered to
BE WELL
Enhanced emotional well-being
Nurturing maternal bond
Confidence and resilience
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Wondering what types of medications might be offered for mental health treatment in pregnancy, post-partum, and during lactation?
This section will review general categories of medications that are commonly used.
How do we evaluate medication use during reproduction and lactation?
Check out this section for information on common resources that help us all make informed choices!
What should I expect while taking medication during pregnancy and lactation?
Medications are used for many reasons, so clear expectations of what each medication should treat is important to understand.
Some medication use may come with recommendations for additional monitoring, like ultrasounds or fetal heart rate monitoring, with routine prenatal care.
Pregnancy can also change how long some medication effects last throughout a day or how they are best dosed.
Wondering what types of therapy might be suggested?
This section will review general categories of commonly used therapies. Many therapies are completed individually and others are best in groups.
How do we decide how frequently to attend therapy?
Weekly or every other week is a common schedule for many therapies, however each person will agree upon the best schedule for them with their therapy team.
What should I expect from therapy?
Therapy is a mainstay of mental health treatment and offers a safe and confidential space to explore emotions, thoughts, and actions. "GOAL FOCUSED" sessions are often ideal during the perinatal period, since this is a time limited arena.
Some sessions may leave you feeling energized, while others may cause fatigue.
Many sessions will provide homework with specific instructions.
Wondering what types of non-prescriptive things can help mental wellbeing?
This section will review general categories of commonly used non-prescriptive treatments. This includes considerations like nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, outdoor time, social support including local or virtual groups, bodywork, time for self care, reductions of barriers to care, and comment on some OTC medications.
How do we decide when to use non-prescriptive steps?
These are always recommended. The severity of each condition will help us decide together what to recommend, and if therapy and/or medication will also be recommended.
What resources are available for me to explore non-prescriptive options?
Check out this section for resources!
Provider
Resources
YOU ARE NOT ALONE !
Michigan resource list coming soon!
CONNECT
WITH US
Submit the form to the right.
Email us: Connect@obmentalhealth.com
Call us: coming soon!
Fax: coming soon!