Why do we avoid therapy?

• Stigma against mental illness
• Fear of being judged
• Fear of being vulnerable
• May feel like it is a luxury activity instead of

a health activity

• Treatment cost
• Insurance issues
• May have to discuss painful past events

How to choose a therapist?

First, consider the type of therapy that they use…

For perinatal depression & anxiety, the two most effective therapies are:

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) &
2. Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

Second, look for a maverick.

-Look beyond the years of experience and look for someone who is regularly learning.

-Verify their baseline therapy credential (state and board certified)

-Also look for someone who is specifically trained in perinatal mood disorders, e.g.

by Postpartum Support International

Third, look for someone with similar life experience.

-Look for someone of similar race, ethnicity, gender, lifestyle

-Will make it easier to enter a safe space for therapeutic work to occur

Fourth, know that you are in control.

-Meet for 15 minute free consult if possible

-Schedule only if you were able to connect

-If you do not agree with the treatment plan, or you don’t connect or you don’t think that you

are being listened to, keep looking

Fifth, look for social emotional intelligence.

-adaptable

-flexible

-self aware

In Summary,

- You have to feel safe in your interactions with your therapist.

- Feel free to shop around until you have the right fit.

- Self evaluate mood for improvement and keep a journal or mood log.

References

McNamara, J., Townsend, M. L., & Herbert, J. S. (2019). A

systemic review of maternal wellbeing and its relationship with

maternal fetal attachment and early postpartum bonding. PloS

one, 14(7), e0220032.

Smith, K. (2021). How to choose a therapist? Retrieved from

How to choose a therapist | Psyche Guides

Symes, E. (2017). The transition to motherhood. Psychological

factors associated with pregnancy, labour and birth. Retrieved

from The transition to motherhood: Psychological factors

associated with pregnancy, labour and birth | APS

(psychology.org.au)

Resources

Psychology Today - Psychology Today Belgium: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

ZenCare - Find The Best Therapists & Psychiatrists Near You — Zencare

Postpartum Support International - https://www.postpartum.net/

Guest

Lydia Moore Allen is the Founder and CEO of Se-ReNew Therapy & Consulting Services LLC.

She has been in the mental health field for almost 20 years. Lydia is a Licensed Clinical Social

Worker, Certified Master's Level Addiction Professional, Certified Parenting Instructor and

Qualified Supervisor. Lydia provides counseling for individuals, couples, families and

supervision for registered MSW Interns. She also offers comprehensive Diagnostic

Evaluations

for Immigration Court for Hardships, Violence against Women (VAWA), U-VISA (for

immigrants who were victims or witnesses to a crime in the U.S) and T-VISA (for victims

involved

in human trafficking. Lydia has dedicated her years working with individuals, couples and

families

facing life changing challenges, including addiction, marital/relationship conflict, mental

health imbalance and parenting hurdles. She has experience working in residential and partial-

hospitalization settings with clients of varying cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Lydia is transparent and compassionate while collaborating with her clients to achieve their

goals. Furthermore, she dedicates time as a Board Member for Phoebe’s Fortress Non-profit

Organization in Miami, Florida. Her commitment to Phoebe’s Fortress is geared towards

supporting and equipping young ladies aging out of the foster care system with skills to

advance into adulthood.