Therapists and Counselors Specializing in Perinatal Mental Health

PSI Utah proudly partnered with the Utah Department of Health to create and maintain a current data base of providers trained in Maternal Mental Health conditions. Please see https://maternalmentalhealth.utah.gov/

For one and one support please call or text HMG at  (801) 691-5322. The HMG staff will give callers a brief perinatal depression/anxiety screening called the EPDS, offer options for free support groups and/or trained therapists in their area as well as provide follow up after the call. 

* A note on finding a qualified therapist who specializes in pregnant and postpartum women. These specialists, often called perinatal psychotherapists, are educated about pregnancy and postpartum depression treatment options. Mood and anxiety disorders present differently during this time and require different treatment as well. The therapist should be a member of an organization that serves perinatal women, such as Postpartum Support International or our local Utah chapter, or another organization such as the Marce Society. They should have received training from PSI or another reputable organization or provider such as 2020Mom, Karen Kleinman, or a well-recognized PSI Coordinator as many offer this training in their state. A qualified therapist can name five books for families and five books for clinicians with ease as well as name several online resources.

Ask the therapist what type of therapy he or she would use. Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal psychotherapies are the most effect methods to treat postpartum depression. This is not the time to delve deeply into childhood issues but rather the focus should be on skills, solutions, and crisis intervention. Treatment should include referrals to appropriate complementary resources, such as a support group or a psychiatrist, if appropriate. Ultimately, trust your intuition and keep looking elsewhere if the fit doesn’t seem right. Keep reaching out. You deserve to be well!