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Lived Experiences of Perinatal Mental Health Treatments

Mothers share their experiences with therapies and interventions for perinatal mental health challenges, including talk therapy, EMDR, IFS, TMS, ECT, group therapy, and medication. These stories highlight the steps taken toward recovery and the support that made a difference.

Many of these treatments were accessed, recommended, or made possible through services such as hospitals, community teams, or peer support groups — you can explore experiences with these care pathways in Mental Health Services.

Jump to: Counselling & Psychology | IFS | EMDR | Birth Debrief | Group Therapy | Creative & Mindful Practices | Medication | TMS | ECT

Counselling & Psychology

Stories from mothers who engaged with psychologists or counsellors during pregnancy or postpartum. These accounts explore finding the right therapist, trying different approaches like CBT or ACT, and what it’s like to talk through difficult thoughts, emotions, and past experiences.

Featured
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
25 | Ashlee
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
25 | Ashlee
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
22 | Gemma
anxiety, depression, helplines, talk therapy
22 | Gemma
anxiety, depression, helplines, talk therapy
anxiety, depression, helplines, talk therapy
19 | Mon
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
19 | Mon
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
12 | Nikolina
talk therapy, helplines, depression, anxiety, birth anxiety
12 | Nikolina
talk therapy, helplines, depression, anxiety, birth anxiety
talk therapy, helplines, depression, anxiety, birth anxiety
09 | Jade
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
09 | Jade
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
08 | Jess
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
08 | Jess
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
07 | Lisa
depression, talk therapy, helplines, colic
07 | Lisa
depression, talk therapy, helplines, colic
depression, talk therapy, helplines, colic

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Stories from mothers who used Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy or ‘parts work’ in their recovery. These accounts describe recognising protective patterns, understanding where they come from, and learning to relate differently to thoughts, emotions, and internal conflict.

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Stories from mothers who used EMDR therapy to process distressing or traumatic experiences. These accounts describe recalling specific memories, overcoming scepticism, and working through memories gradually within a structured therapeutic process.

Featured
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
32 | Jess
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
32 | Jess
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
14 | Sarah
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
14 | Sarah
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
11 | Lauren
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, psychiatric hospital, EMDR, depression, birth trauma
11 | Lauren
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, psychiatric hospital, EMDR, depression, birth trauma
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, psychiatric hospital, EMDR, depression, birth trauma

Birth Debrief

Stories from mothers who unpacked their birth experience with a care provider or supportive practitioner. These accounts explore asking questions, hearing clinical explanations, and revisiting moments that felt confusing, overwhelming, or difficult to process at the time.

Group Therapy

Stories from mothers who attended group therapy as part of their mental health care. These experiences reflect sitting alongside others, listening to shared experiences, and navigating what it feels like to be vulnerable in a group setting.

Featured
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
38 | Sophie
medication, mbu, depression, postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, TMS, group therapy
38 | Sophie
medication, mbu, depression, postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, TMS, group therapy
medication, mbu, depression, postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, TMS, group therapy
19 | Mon
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
19 | Mon
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, group therapy, postpartum PTSD, depression
02 | Rebecca
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy
02 | Rebecca
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy

Creative & Mindful Practices

Stories from mothers who used meditation, breathwork, art therapy, or mindfulness in their day-to-day lives. These accounts explore how these practices are used to complement other treatments in real moments — to slow racing thoughts, manage overwhelm, or create small pockets of calm.

Featured
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
46 | Lisa
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
depression, PTSD, rage, talk therapy, EMDR, insomnia, neurofeedback, meditation, IFS
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
45 | Amber-Lee
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, depression, PTSD, birth trauma, rage, group therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, helplines, breathwork, women's circles, unplanned pregnancy
10 | Helen
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
10 | Helen
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
03 | Tegan
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy
03 | Tegan
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy
02 | Rebecca
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy
02 | Rebecca
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy
mbu, postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, birth trauma, medication, psychiatry, ocd, anxiety, history of mental ill health, psychoeducation, depression, group therapy, insomnia, distress, social worker, art therapy

Medication

Stories from mothers who took medication during pregnancy or postpartum. These experiences explore starting or stopping medication, finding the right type and dosage through trial and error, managing side effects, overcoming stigma, and how medication fits alongside other forms of support.

Featured
47 | Rachel
depression, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, community mental health team
47 | Rachel
depression, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, community mental health team
depression, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, community mental health team
44 | Natalie
anxiety, insomnia, CATT, hallucinations, medication, psychiatric hospital, MBU, hypnotherapy, talk therapy, HITH
44 | Natalie
anxiety, insomnia, CATT, hallucinations, medication, psychiatric hospital, MBU, hypnotherapy, talk therapy, HITH
anxiety, insomnia, CATT, hallucinations, medication, psychiatric hospital, MBU, hypnotherapy, talk therapy, HITH
42 | Kristy
anxiety, depression, medication, talk therapy, history of mental ill health, psychiatry, ADHD, birth trauma
42 | Kristy
anxiety, depression, medication, talk therapy, history of mental ill health, psychiatry, ADHD, birth trauma
anxiety, depression, medication, talk therapy, history of mental ill health, psychiatry, ADHD, birth trauma
40 | Dayna
birth trauma, PTSD, anxiety, D-MER, talk therapy, medication, panic attacks
40 | Dayna
birth trauma, PTSD, anxiety, D-MER, talk therapy, medication, panic attacks
birth trauma, PTSD, anxiety, D-MER, talk therapy, medication, panic attacks
39 | Chloe
postpartum psychosis, delusions, mania, depression, insomnia, pimhs, psychiatry, medication, FB Group, hallucinations
39 | Chloe
postpartum psychosis, delusions, mania, depression, insomnia, pimhs, psychiatry, medication, FB Group, hallucinations
postpartum psychosis, delusions, mania, depression, insomnia, pimhs, psychiatry, medication, FB Group, hallucinations
36 | Ariane
psychiatry, medication, mbu, postpartum psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, psychiatric hospital, hypomania
36 | Ariane
psychiatry, medication, mbu, postpartum psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, psychiatric hospital, hypomania
psychiatry, medication, mbu, postpartum psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, psychiatric hospital, hypomania
33 | Laura
anxiety, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, birth trauma, depression, HITH, birth debrief, occupational therapy, PTSD
33 | Laura
anxiety, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, birth trauma, depression, HITH, birth debrief, occupational therapy, PTSD
anxiety, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, birth trauma, depression, HITH, birth debrief, occupational therapy, PTSD
32 | Jess
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
32 | Jess
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
ocd, postpartum psychosis, anxiety, psychiatric hospital, medication, talk therapy, EMDR, MBU, psychiatry, history of mental ill health
30 | Tessa
bipolar mood disorder, MBU, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, depression
30 | Tessa
bipolar mood disorder, MBU, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, depression
bipolar mood disorder, MBU, medication, psychiatry, talk therapy, depression
29 | Amelia
talk therapy, medication, helplines, postpartum psychosis, mania, psychiatry, birth debrief
29 | Amelia
talk therapy, medication, helplines, postpartum psychosis, mania, psychiatry, birth debrief
talk therapy, medication, helplines, postpartum psychosis, mania, psychiatry, birth debrief
27 | Claire
anxiety, talk therapy, medication, postpartum PTSD, birth trauma, birth debrief
27 | Claire
anxiety, talk therapy, medication, postpartum PTSD, birth trauma, birth debrief
anxiety, talk therapy, medication, postpartum PTSD, birth trauma, birth debrief
26 | Rebecca
anxiety, history of mental ill health, depression, medication, insomnia, talk therapy
26 | Rebecca
anxiety, history of mental ill health, depression, medication, insomnia, talk therapy
anxiety, history of mental ill health, depression, medication, insomnia, talk therapy
25 | Ashlee
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
25 | Ashlee
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
24 | Siobhan
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, psychosis, occupational therapy, social worker, birth trauma, history of mental ill health, birth debrief
24 | Siobhan
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, psychosis, occupational therapy, social worker, birth trauma, history of mental ill health, birth debrief
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, medication, psychosis, occupational therapy, social worker, birth trauma, history of mental ill health, birth debrief
23 | Elyse
depression, rage, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, social worker
23 | Elyse
depression, rage, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, social worker
depression, rage, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, social worker
21 | Sarah
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, ocd, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, MBU, helplines
21 | Sarah
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, ocd, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, MBU, helplines
anxiety, talk therapy, depression, ocd, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, MBU, helplines
20 | Sarah
anxiety, ocd, psychiatry, medication, mbu, history of mental ill health, depression
20 | Sarah
anxiety, ocd, psychiatry, medication, mbu, history of mental ill health, depression
anxiety, ocd, psychiatry, medication, mbu, history of mental ill health, depression
18 | Gen
postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, MBU, medication
18 | Gen
postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, MBU, medication
postpartum psychosis, psychiatric hospital, MBU, medication
17 | Jess
depression, anxiety, medication, talk therapy, helplines, NICU, HG
17 | Jess
depression, anxiety, medication, talk therapy, helplines, NICU, HG
depression, anxiety, medication, talk therapy, helplines, NICU, HG
16 | Emma
depression, PTSD, anxiety, mbu, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, infertility, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
16 | Emma
depression, PTSD, anxiety, mbu, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, infertility, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
depression, PTSD, anxiety, mbu, medication, talk therapy, psychiatry, infertility, helplines, unplanned pregnancy
15 | Taegan
bipolar mood disorder, anxiety, depression, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, talk therapy, TMS, rage
15 | Taegan
bipolar mood disorder, anxiety, depression, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, talk therapy, TMS, rage
bipolar mood disorder, anxiety, depression, medication, psychiatric hospital, psychiatry, talk therapy, TMS, rage
14 | Sarah
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
14 | Sarah
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
anxiety, birth trauma, talk therapy, IFS, medication, EMDR
13 | Jade
anxiety, loss, grief, colic, insomnia, depression, talk therapy, medication
13 | Jade
anxiety, loss, grief, colic, insomnia, depression, talk therapy, medication
anxiety, loss, grief, colic, insomnia, depression, talk therapy, medication
10 | Helen
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
10 | Helen
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
postpartum PTSD, talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, art therapy, grief, loss, NICU
09 | Jade
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
09 | Jade
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
talk therapy, medication, psychiatry, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, helplines, insomnia, women's circles
08 | Jess
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
08 | Jess
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
talk therapy, medication, anxiety, depression, NICU
06 | Aimee
PTSD, history of mental ill health, medication, depression
06 | Aimee
PTSD, history of mental ill health, medication, depression
PTSD, history of mental ill health, medication, depression
05 | Ella
rage, medication, depression
05 | Ella
rage, medication, depression
rage, medication, depression
04 | Kathryn
ocd, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, depression
04 | Kathryn
ocd, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, depression
ocd, anxiety, medication, psychiatry, depression
03 | Tegan
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy
03 | Tegan
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy
ocd, anxiety, mbu, history of mental ill health, talk therapy, pimhs, medication, psychiatry, art therapy

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Stories from mothers who underwent TMS as part of their treatment. These accounts describe attending regular sessions, the physical sensations during treatment, and how this approach fits into broader mental health care.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Stories from mothers who received ECT during severe or complex mental health challenges. These experiences describe hospital-based treatment, the practical realities of ECT, and how it is used when other supports have not been enough.

Explore More Perinatal Mental Health Stories by Topic.

depression
anxiety & OCD
bipolar disorder
pregnancy & postpartum psychosis
birth trauma & PTSD
loss & grief
mental health services

Explore Articles on Maternal Mental Health.

Featured
"I didn’t plan this…”: Coping with an Unplanned Pregnancy and Your Mental Health
Becoming and Being a Parent
"I didn’t plan this…”: Coping with an Unplanned Pregnancy and Your Mental Health
Becoming and Being a Parent

An unplanned pregnancy can bring shock, fear, or conflicting emotions. This article explores the mental health impact of unexpected pregnancy and honours the complexity of how you may be feeling.

Read More →
Becoming and Being a Parent
Why We Need to Talk About Bipolar Disorder in Pregnancy and Postpartum.
Mental Ill Health
Why We Need to Talk About Bipolar Disorder in Pregnancy and Postpartum.
Mental Ill Health

Pregnancy and postpartum are times of heightened vulnerability to the onset or recurrence of bipolar disorder. Learn why early recognition, screening, and open dialogue matter for better perinatal mental health care.

Read More →
Mental Ill Health
"Why is this happening to me?”: 7 gentle reasons to stop searching for the reason.
Skills
"Why is this happening to me?”: 7 gentle reasons to stop searching for the reason.
Skills

Many mothers experiencing perinatal depression or anxiety ask themselves: “Why is this happening to me?” While the desire to understand is human, searching for a cause during a mental health crisis can sometimes deepen distress. This article explores why letting go of that question may open the door to support and recovery.

Read More →
Skills
5 myths about self-compassion and why it matters to mothers.
Skills
5 myths about self-compassion and why it matters to mothers.
Skills

Have you ever been told to “be kinder to yourself” but not known where to start? For many mothers, self-compassion sounds simple yet feels surprisingly difficult — even selfish or wrong. This article explores the many myths that keep us stuck in self-criticism and guilt, and why gentleness toward ourselves matters.

Read More →
Skills

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