How to Access Care
Call Your Insurance
If you have health insurance, one of the best places to start looking for a therapist is on your insurance’s website, under providers that are covered. You can also try calling their customer service number, usually found on the back of your insurance card. Be sure to ask for someone who specializes in working with new mothers experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, or ask for clinicians who are PMH-C certified.
Search PSI
Another great way to find a clinician under your insurance plan and in your area, in addition to having a PMH-C certification, is to go to Postpartum Support International’s Directory. From here you have many options to find the best clinician for you. You can easily customize your search by selecting therapists who take your insurance, by gender, by treatment specialty, languages they speak, if online therapy is an option, and by clinicians of color.
County Behavioral Health
To locate your county's behavioral health center you can do an easy search on the internet by typing in your “city and state” and “county behavioral health.” Select the agency that is closest to you to see what low to no-cost services they offer. Many county behavioral health centers offer low to no-cost services, as well as crisis mobile units. There may be a waitlist to get in for these services, but it is worth reaching out if you do not have insurance coverage or need immediate psychiatric care.
Low-Cost Online
There are several month-to-month low-cost online therapy services. BetterHelp and Talk Space are two of the biggest providers of telehealth. The cost is around $240 - $340 per month. Therapy can be done via text, phone, or video conferencing. It is good to check whether your insurance will cover your therapy with one of these companies. In some cases, they will.
How to Choose a Therapist
There are several kinds of therapists, and not all of them are the same. Finding out if they have experience working with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders is important, as these emotional complications are different from other mental health disorders. You can choose a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), or a Psychologist (PsyD or PhD). It is good to see if you get along with this person. You want to feel respected and heard. If not, it is ok to tell them it isn’t working, or it isn’t a great fit. Many people stick it out when it isn’t a good fit. Always trust your instincts.
How to Choose a Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can both listen to you and prescribe medicine to treat a mental health disorder. If you are considering taking medication, it can help to find someone who is a reproductive psychiatrist. This is someone who specializes in treating pregnant and postpartum women who are experiencing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. These psychiatrists are skilled in knowing which medicines are safe to take during pregnancy and which are safe to take while breastfeeding. Before you make an appointment with a psychiatrist it is important to share with them if you are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding. Some psychiatrists do not work with these populations. If you do have a psychiatrist who wants to work with you but needs more support in prescribing, you can share Postpartum Support International’s Perinatal Psychiatric Consult Line for help in prescribing for you.
Online Support
Online support groups have been found to help women feel less alone, more hopeful, and less isolated. We strongly recommend attending an online support group with other women who are feeling like you. Many of these groups are free and many take place online. Babies are welcome, and in many groups you do not have to share if you don’t feel up to it. Visit our Support Group page to learn more about the groups being offered.
Online Groups
There are several closed groups online that women find helpful. Postpartum Support International has a closed Facebook group for women that is moderated by Postpartum Support International volunteers. To join click here. Some women search Instagram using the tags “postpartum depression” or “PPD,” and they find uplifting stories posted by other moms sharing their journey.
Call Sage Central
Sage Therapeutics created the first FDA-approved medicine for Postpartum Depression called Zulresso. To find out more about Zulresso, and for help finding patient support resources and programs in your area, call 844-4-SAGERX or connect below.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).