Group Therapy at Postpartum Mental Health
New parents often face unexpected problems – they feel isolated from society after their babies are born, they no longer believe they have anything in common with old friends, and they feel compelled to be alone with their issues that occur during the pregnancy or after the birth. Yet you are not the only person who tries to handle sleep and fatigue issues or cope with social isolation after your parenthood begins, and group therapy can be the place where you discover this and rediscover yourself as a capable and independent individual. Postpartum Mental Health offers group therapy sessions for new mothers – contact us today to schedule your first appointment with a therapist and navigate your pregnancy and postpartum life with people just like yourself.
New parents often face unexpected problems – they feel isolated from society after their babies are born, they no longer believe they have anything in common with old friends, and they feel compelled to be alone with their issues that occur during the pregnancy or after the birth.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy refers to a form of psychotherapy that helps more than one person at once – a therapist is in charge of a therapy session attended by two or more individuals with the same diagnosis or similar life experiences.
This approach is widely used in postpartum counseling – even though there is a certain stigma when it comes to postpartum problems, and a new mother is expected to pretend she does not struggle at all upon becoming a parent, there is no shame in seeking professional help and signing up for postnatal depression group therapy to deal with your issues.
Spending time in a nurturing environment where no one judges you or tries to find fault in your parenting can be very healing – for instance, peer support for postpartum depression has proven to be very effective for people who have felt sad, anxious, and tired after giving birth.
What to Expect in a Group Therapy Session?
- In the beginning, every patient gets to introduce themselves and explain why they decided to try group therapy instead of other therapy modalities. A therapist will offer topics of discussion and guide everyone as they are asking questions, offering feedback, and giving you recommendations you should implement between appointments.
- A counselor will invite patients to talk and share their recent worries and concerns. It is up to every individual to decide whether they are ready to discuss their personal issues right away or they should wait a session or two to feel safe and secure. An experienced therapist will create a safe space for everyone to feel respected and heard.
- Parents will be encouraged to participate in activities that build skills and solve problems. For instance, mindfulness and stress reduction techniques can be practiced together, and at the end of the session you reflect on your emotions and learn what others felt as well.
How Does Group Therapy Help With Postpartum Mental Health?
A new parent and a new mother in particular goes through immense stress – this is especially hard for a person who had emotional issues, anxiety, and depression before becoming a parent. Dialectical behavior therapy and attachment-based therapy will help you maintain emotional balance as you learn to be a parent.
Despite motherhood being a joyful event, a woman might often feel insecure and vulnerable because of the major changes in her life. When you talk to other parents, you discover new strategies to apply in your parenting journey while also making space for yourself and your own emotions and feelings – you matter just like your baby does.
While mental health professionals can help you by addressing issues like postpartum OCD and offering nutrition counseling, women like yourself who became mothers recently can share their practical experiences, feel more confident as they learn to be better parents together, and correct certain errors they had made before therapy started.
Support circles for new moms are hard to come by – if you do not have anyone in your life who recently became a parent, it is hard for you to relate to their life stories just like it is difficult for them to understand what you are going through. Meeting other moms will provide you with the companionship you have been lacking.
A new parent and a new mother in particular goes through immense stress – this is especially hard for a person who had emotional issues, anxiety, and depression before becoming a parent. Dialectical behavior therapy and attachment-based therapy will help you maintain emotional balance as you learn to be a parent.
While mental health professionals can help you by addressing issues like postpartum OCD and offering nutrition counseling, women like yourself who became mothers recently can share their practical experiences, feel more confident as they learn to be better parents together, and correct certain errors they had made before therapy started.
Despite motherhood being a joyful event, a woman might often feel insecure and vulnerable because of the major changes in her life. When you talk to other parents, you discover new strategies to apply in your parenting journey while also making space for yourself and your own emotions and feelings – you matter just like your baby does.
Support circles for new moms are hard to come by – if you do not have anyone in your life who recently became a parent, it is hard for you to relate to their life stories just like it is difficult for them to understand what you are going through. Meeting other moms will provide you with the companionship you have been lacking.
Benefits of Group Therapy at Postpartum Mental Health
Group counseling for new mothers promotes communication and socialization – during the pregnancy and after the child is born, women have few opportunities to talk to other people, share positive and negative aspects of motherhood, and unwind after a long day which is why working together is highly beneficial for people who experience social isolation, stress, and emotional burnout.
During postpartum group therapy, a therapist who conducts the session will apply various types of therapy that will help all the people in the room. From cognitive behavioral therapy to acceptance and commitment therapy – there is a treatment method for everyone involved.
Although one of the key advantages of group therapy is the support network new moms get, in some instances they need to acknowledge a different perspective in order to grow as parents and become more resilient individuals.
While individual therapy can be helpful, it is also expensive for people who already have to spend a lot of money on their children. Group therapy, on the other hand, is a more affordable option that is still valuable to the participants.
Group Therapy Near Me
Finding a facility nearby to get access to postnatal depression group therapy can be a difficult task, especially if you get no help with your newborn baby or live far from any facilities that are able to aid you in your recovery.
Finding a facility nearby to get access to postnatal depression group therapy can be a difficult task, especially if you get no help with your newborn baby or live far from any facilities that are able to aid you in your recovery. Luckily, Postpartum Mental Health offers comprehensive virtual care – you can undergo treatment from the comfort of your home. Our team believes in a holistic approach and strengths of community therapy for postpartum women – we will find a way to support you on your recovery journey and help you navigate your motherhood.
Start Feeling Like Yourself Again
- (949) 603-1766
- admisions@postpartummh.com
- Unit 200, 129 W Wilson, St Costa Mesa, CA 92627, USA
Group Therapy FAQs
A new mother can see she is not alone in her struggles, relate to other parents and their experiences that can be rather similar, learn from people who know firsthand how to raise children, and explore new points of view that apply to parenting she has not considered in the past. While family therapy is a beneficial approach for many people, sometimes finding like-minded individuals who can become your friends can be the best option for a new mom.
Postpartum Mental Health specializes in virtual psychotherapy – you can sign up for group counseling regardless of the problem you currently deal with and connect with a therapist online alongside other moms who also require professional assistance. For instance, you can attend wellness classes to work on your mental and physical state.
There is no pressure for you to speak in postpartum mental health group sessions – many patients spend the first two or three sessions observing the group of women they have joined and learning to adapt to a new environment. You can speak when you are ready and talk about the things you feel comfortable sharing – healing is supposed to happen at your own pace.
Postpartum support groups differ in size – usually there are five to ten people who communicate with a therapist during a group counseling session. Either way, you do not have to worry about being ignored and disregarded – there is time to let everyone speak their mind and look for ways to deal with your issues in particular.
While we accept most insurance plans at Postpartum Mental Health, we urge you to get in touch with us as soon as you can so that we can confirm your insurance company is willing to cover the cost of group therapy for postpartum depression and related issues and discuss alternative payment options available to our clients.
