help to find therapy

hello, I’m new here having suffered with PP with my first child in summer 2021. What a traumatic and horrible illness it is. I am doing so much better but still struggle with feelings of sadness, traumatic memories, intrusive thoughts and worry for the future. I had really helpful therapy with a psychologist and my mental health nurse through the perinatal mental health team (only about 8 sessions) but I was discharged after the year mark which I think is usual. However I’d really value more therapy now that I’m further along in my recovery and don’t know where to turn. I want to find a therapist who understands PP and who gets parenting too. Any ideas of how to find such a thing? I’m not interested in CBT.

Thanks so much!

xx

[Maria_at_APP Moderator]

Hi Foggyheadmum,

Congratulations on your almost 2 year old. I am sorry you experienced pp and still have traumatic memories and feelings of sadness. It is such a traumatic illness. I am glad you have found this forum though, many here can relate to your experience and are happy to share their own stories.

Perhaps a place to start is your GP, they have knowledge on what community mental health teams in your area can offer. Where I live adult mental health offers both CBT and EMDR. I have only done CBT myself, but I have read encouraging things about EMDR as a therapy for trauma. Another option is to go via a private route, maybe check your employer's insurance coverage and see if therapy sessions are included in the policy?

Take good care, write here whenever you feel like

[Control1234]

Hello Foggyheadmum,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. When I hit rock bottom I cried out for God to forgive me and asked for His help and he saved my life. And since accepting Jesus Christ as my Saviour I have been healing ever since. I will pray for you.

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18.

[Hidden in reply to Control1234]

Hi control1234. when did you have PP?

[Control1234]

I didn’t. I was possessed x

[Jenny_at_APP Partner in reply to Control1234]

Hello Control1234,

It sounds so upsetting to feel like you were possessed. I do hope you’re ok and have support around you to help process the experience that you had.

I will also reach out to you privately.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[guinea1]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear you suffered this aweful illness, it is very traumatic to experience isn't it? I would like to share with you a little of my healing experience in 1995 I suffered out of the blue PP, ended up in a general psychiatric hospital, where treatment and care weren't great, I had blocked the whole ordeal out for many years, just couldn't talk about it, as so much sadness, trauma and pain if i even tried to think about it. Life moved on and my children grew up.. some how things began to come unravelled from a trigger from a hospital appointment which didn't go well... this opened the doors, leading to a breakdown or something... I was to afraid to talk, but my doctor helped me, I tried CBT which I found difficult.. had some counselling which was very helpful, so had an assessment and they put me forward to EMDR treatment I had 16 sessions in all, this helped a little, though opened up many things that had been hidden for so long, so obviously it was a difficult time, my doctor supposed me again, then he got me a appointment with a psychiatrist and went in to secondary care and had talking therapy this has really helped as able me to explore my feelings and experiences.As you have already had some therapy, I wonder if you could talk to your GP, it is a sad to hear, they seem to cut you off at 1 year with out referral to other support, trauma based therapy is one thing, though they wanted me to do CBT to start with, going onto the trauma related stuff, which I couldn't cope with, luckily my assessment appointment they dicided I could skip this , as the psychology assessment had suggested, EMDR i feel helps to a degree, as it talking therapy.

I hope this is helpful x

[HelenMW Volunteer]

hello there, I can absolutely empathise with the things you have experienced after PP.

I find it helpful to talk to a counsellor when I feel a bit overwhelmed, and I had to find a counsellor for one of my daughters. She preferred a Christian counsellor and when I looked on the ACC website you could read all the areas that each counsellor specialised in which was very helpful. There are so many out there and it was good for her to connect with a counsellor with experience of her trauma. I understand this might not be your choice but I thought I would just mention it anyhow.

I do hope you find the right person to help you move on and bring light and clarity into the situation.

Sending warm wishes, Helen