We’ve put some small files called cookies on your device to make our site work.
We also use analytics cookies. These send information about how our site is used to services called Hotjar and Google Analytics. We use this information to improve our site.
More information on how we use this information can be found on our privacy policy page.
Who we help / Perinatal
Having a baby can be joyful, exciting and rewarding. However, it is also common for pregnant women and new mothers or fathers to experience anxiety, depression or emotional distress. As many as one in five women experience emotional difficulties during pregnancy and in the first year after their baby’s birth. This can happen to anyone.
This perinatal period is an ideal time for preventive mental health perinatal interventions that promote strong attachment and positive parenting, thereby reducing the risk of later mental health problems for both parents and child.
IAPT Lewisham offers free, confidential talking therapy for people who have a range of emotional difficulties during the perinatal period, such as:
It can be difficult to talk about how you are feeling and ask for help. Common reasons for this could be:
Struggling emotionally at this time can happen to anyone. It is not your fault. Asking for help doesn’t mean you can’t cope or are not able to care for your child. It’s the start of getting the right help and support to ensure you can be the parent you want to be.
IAPT offers short-term talking therapies to give you space to talk. The types of therapy offered will vary depending on your needs. These may include guided self-help sessions with a therapist, cognitive behaviour therapy, couples therapy and counselling.
We know that pregnancy and the first year of your baby’s birth is a very important time. Given this, prioritise clients who are in the perinatal period for an assessment and treatment.
A time will be arranged for you to speak to one of the therapists. When you have your first appointment you will be asked for some brief details about yourself and about your current difficulties. This helps us decide how we can best help you. At the end of the appointment, we will discuss the support options available and agree a plan.
IAPT services aim to be flexible. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the help you need. You can discuss attending appointments at a convenient time to suit your baby’s’ schedule.
Supports women who have had a traumatic birth experience:
This website includes the app ‘Baby Buddy’ which is designed to help new parents:
Pregnancy, birth and baby app:
Pregnancy and baby app:
https://www.emmasdiary.co.uk/about-
us/the-emmas-diary-pregnancy-and-baby-app
Support for single parent families:
Voluntary organisation across London for new mums who have come to the UK as asylum seekers called
https://www.happybabycommunity.org.uk/ which may be of use. They offer
counselling services and lots of occupational therapy type activities.
Like a foodbank but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of 5:
5 week groups are for pregnant mums and new mums with babies up to 12 months old who live in the London boroughs of Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich:
https://blgmind.org.uk/lewisham-mental-health/lewisham-mindful-mums
NCT, offers information and support in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood:
Online parenting organisation offering advice on all aspects of pregnancy
and parenting; put you in touch with local groups in your community:
App to connect with women at a similar stage in life: fertility, pregnancy,
motherhood, menopause; meet 1-2-1, join groups, ask advice, join podcasts:
Stillbirth and neonatal death charity supports people affected by the death of
a baby:
An organisation that provides leaflets on child emotional development and behaviour:
