Postpartum Depression Treatment: 

Healthy relationships are one of the key components to happiness in life.  Unfortunately, after the birth of a child, a woman's personal relationships, her connection with her baby, and her identity can face severe disruption.  With early intervention through interpersonal therapy for depression, patterns of relationship discord and disconnection can be identified and treated.  Dr. Bell is particularly skilled at interpersonal therapy, which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says is one of the most effective treatments for postpartum depression.  For more information from the NIMH on the symptoms and treatments of postpartum depression, please see the "Postpartum Depression Versus Baby Blues" section below.

For people suffering with postpartum depression, it can be hard to reach out for help, much less to leave the house with a new baby.  For this reason, Dr. Bell has included telehealth as a therapy option, which offers new parents the convenience of doing therapy from the comfort of their home.  She will take the same amount of time and approach as you would receive in person but through a secure video conferencing technology.  For more information, please see the Telehealth page.  If you are interested in this option, please let Dr. Bell know in your initial contact.

THE PROCESS

At its core, Dr. Bell's therapy process centers on a collaborative relationship between therapist and client, relying heavily on mutual respect and trust.  The first two visits with Dr. Bell involves an in depth individual interview to learn more about the client and client history.  During this assessment phase, Dr. Bell will focus primarily on differentiating between the symptoms of clinical depression and those of normal postpartum experiences. For example, it is expected that one may be suffering from fatigue, little sleep, and weight loss after a baby is born, but these could also be symptoms of depression depending on the severity, frequency, and other factors.  After the initial intake, Dr. Bell then uses the information collected to design a treatment plan based on the client's individual needs. Because research supports Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be the most effective in the treatment of postpartum, she will most likely utilize one of these approaches to treatment.  Finally, throughout the therapy process, clients will complete regular assessment measures of their postpartum depression so that Dr. Bell can measure progress in treatment on how the client is feeling/doing, or make any necessary adjustments. 

Postpartum Depression Versus Baby Blues:

It is normal to experience some sadness and crying spells for the first couple of weeks.  In most cases, these post-baby blues are due to hormonal changes and significant adjustments that naturally follow the birth of a child.  Postpartum depression, however, tends to last longer than the baby blues and is also marked by a more severe decline in one's ability to function.  The NIMH identifies the following as common symptoms of postpartum depression:

  • Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed

  • Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason

  • Worrying or feeling overly anxious

  • Feeling moody, irritable, or restless

  • Oversleeping, or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep

  • Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

  • Experiencing anger or rage

  • Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable

  • Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems, and muscle pain

  • Eating too little or too much

  • Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family

  • Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby

  • Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby

  • Thinking about harming herself or her baby.

Postpartum depression impacts approximately 20% of women after giving birth.  According to NIMH, counseling and medication are treatment options that have been shown to be effective. Both options should be discussed with your medical provider. When choosing the counseling/talk therapy options, the NIMH specifically recommends CBT and IPT as effective methods for the treatment of postpartum depression.  As an evidence-based clinical psychologist, Dr. Bell is trained in both CBT and IPT, and desires to help people with postpartum depression through this major life change.