Specialist postnatal support

Postpartum Depression

Compassionate, clinical care for the exhaustion, numbness and low mood that can emerge in the year following birth.

Clinical Overview

Healing from postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a significant depressive illness occurring after childbirth, manifesting as persistent low mood, overwhelming guilt, and difficulty bonding. Affecting up to 15% of new mothers, it extends far beyond the transient 'baby blues' and requires targeted clinical care. Through evidence-based treatments like CBT and IPT, we help mothers navigate this period, addressing the underlying symptoms to restore functioning, connection and well-being.

Prevalence

Around 10–15% of mothers after birth

Gold-standard treatment

CBT, IPT and compassion-focused therapy

Typical recovery

Many women improve over 8–16 sessions with early support

NICE recommended

CBT and IPT are leading therapies for postnatal depression

Beyond the baby blues

Symptoms are more severe, longer-lasting and more impairing

NHS postnatal depression guidance

10–15%

Mothers are affected by postpartum depression after birth

8–16

Sessions often help with focused postnatal depression treatment

Early

Early support improves recovery, bonding and confidence

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Dr Martina Paglia

Clinically reviewed by

Dr Martina Paglia

Founder & CEO of Mind a Porter

HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist

Special interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, burnout, workplace stress, relationship difficulties and high-performance mental wellbeing.

Last reviewed: 13 August 2026

All health information on Mind a Porter is clinically reviewed by our clinical lead. These resources are educational and do not replace professional advice.

AI-ready summary

Postpartum depression is a depressive illness that can develop after birth and affects mood, bonding, sleep, self-worth and daily functioning. It is more than the baby blues and affects around 10 to 15% of mothers after childbirth. NICE recommends CBT and IPT as leading psychological treatments, with early support improving recovery and family wellbeing.

Understanding postnatal depression

Finding your way back to yourself

Postpartum depression is a medical and emotional condition that creates a deep, lingering sense of hopelessness, numbness and exhaustion. It often feels like you have lost access to your usual sense of self, leaving you to navigate a world of intense guilt and profound overwhelm. Many of our clients arrive feeling ashamed of their struggles, fearing that they are somehow 'failing' at parenthood because they don't feel the joy they were told to expect.

Crucially, postpartum depression is distinct from the typical 'baby blues,' which usually resolve within two weeks of birth. When symptoms persist, deepen or include a sense of detachment from your baby, your partner or your daily life, it is a sign that you need more than just time. It is a sign of an illness that deserves professional, clinical attention, just as you would seek for any other health concern.

Our approach to postpartum depression is rooted in total non-judgment. We provide a space to unpack the relentless reality of sleep deprivation, the shock of identity change and the heavy burden of trying to keep up with impossible standards. Therapy allows you to process these feelings without the need to 'smile through it' or hide your true experience.

Treatment is focused on practical recovery: identifying the thoughts that keep the depression stuck, processing the transition into your new role, and gently working on connection and self-compassion. The goal is not a return to 'the old you,' but the creation of a steadier, kinder version of yourself that can safely inhabit this new chapter of life.

Understanding causes

What contributes to postpartum depression

Postpartum depression rarely has a single cause. It usually builds up from a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors, and understanding your own pattern is an important part of finding the right support.

Biological factors: Genetics, brain chemistry, physical health and sleep patterns can all play a role in how postpartum depression develops and is experienced.

Psychological factors: Thinking styles, past experiences, personality traits and learned coping patterns can maintain or worsen postpartum depression over time.

Environmental factors: Stress, relationships, work pressure, life transitions and broader social or cultural factors often contribute to when and how postpartum depression surfaces.

Benefits

The benefits of Postpartum Depression

A clearer understanding of what is keeping your postpartum depression going and why

Practical tools from cbt to manage triggers and setbacks in daily life

Reduced intensity and frequency of postpartum depression symptoms as the work progresses

Better sleep, focus and energy as postpartum depression stops dominating your day

More confidence in social, work and relationship situations

A therapeutic relationship you can return to whenever things feel harder

Symptoms to watch for

Identifying postpartum depression

Postpartum depression can be complex, often masking itself as exhaustion or 'just being a busy mum'. If you notice these patterns, please consider reaching out.

  • Persistent low mood, hopelessness or tearfulness
  • Loss of pleasure, numbness or feeling emotionally flat
  • Guilt, shame or feeling like a bad mother
  • Difficulty bonding with your baby or feeling disconnected
  • Anxiety, panic or intrusive thoughts alongside low mood
  • Insomnia, poor sleep or constant exhaustion beyond normal newborn fatigue
  • Withdrawal from others or feeling unable to cope
  • Thoughts of escape, self-harm or that your family would be better without you

When to seek help

When is it time to seek therapy for postpartum depression?

It is worth reaching out when postpartum depression is starting to affect your daily life, relationships or wellbeing. You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable. These are the signs that professional support could help.

  • persistent low mood, hopelessness or tearfulness
  • loss of pleasure, numbness or feeling emotionally flat
  • guilt, shame or feeling like a bad mother
  • difficulty bonding with your baby or feeling disconnected
  • anxiety, panic or intrusive thoughts alongside low mood
  • insomnia, poor sleep or constant exhaustion beyond normal newborn fatigue

Recognise any of these signs?

You don't have to figure it out alone. A 15-minute £1 discovery call can help you make sense of what's happening and what kind of support might help. Therapy for postpartum depression is available online or in person in London.

Evidence-based pathways

Effective postnatal recovery methods

Our treatment plans are tailored to your unique context, focusing on the areas of greatest need for your mental health and family life.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Challenging the patterns of negative, hopeless thinking and the cycle of social withdrawal common in depression.

Learn more

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

Exploring the impact of shifting roles, loneliness and relationship changes during the first year of parenthood.

Learn more

Compassion-focused therapy

Working to soften the internal critic, reduce shame and build a more nurturing relationship with yourself.

Learn more

Attachment and bonding support

Healing the sense of disconnection through supportive, relational therapy that fosters emotional safety and presence.

Learn more

Fees & booking

Transparent pricing for postpartum depression

50-minute sessions, online or in person across London
Fees set by each therapist and shown before you book
Private insurance accepted by many clinicians

Clients never pay more with us than going direct, and our therapists offer their best rates.

What to expect

What does a first postpartum depression session look like?

A first postpartum depression session usually starts by understanding how you are really feeling beneath the surface. Your therapist will ask about low mood, numbness, guilt, bonding with your baby, sleep, intrusive thoughts, rage, tearfulness and whether what you are experiencing has gone beyond the baby blues.

You may also explore birth trauma, physical recovery, feeding, isolation, partner dynamics, earlier mental health history and the gap between the mother you expected to be and how you feel now. The session pays attention to risk and to thoughts of escape or self-harm, because these need careful and compassionate handling.

By the end of the session you should feel more held and less ashamed, with a clearer understanding of what CBT, IPT or compassion-focused work would involve and what support exists around you. Most mothers leave feeling relief that what they are experiencing is real, treatable and not a failure.

Ready to take the first step?

Book a £1 discovery call, or browse therapists near you for postpartum depression. Online and in-person sessions across London.

Why Choose Us

Why choose us for postnatal support?

We understand that postnatal depression is an isolating, lonely experience. We offer a safe, clinically robust space to hold your experience without shame.

Perinatal specialists

Therapists with real experience of the emotional realities of pregnancy, birth, loss and early parenthood.

Compassionate care

Warm, steady support for the exhaustion, guilt, anxiety and unspoken loneliness that can arrive with parenthood.

System-aware support

Care that also makes room for partner dynamics, co-parenting pressure and the wider family around you.

Evidence-based

Therapy draws on CBT, IPT, EMDR and attachment-informed work, depending on what is actually happening for you.

Depression Specialists

£1 Discovery Call
Aanu Jide-Ojo
Easy Booking
WomanOnline via Google Meet

Ms Aanu Jide-ojoClinical Psychologist

M.Sc. Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology · M.Sc. Clini…7+ years of experience

I am an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with seven years of professional experience. My academic background includes a B.Sc. in Psychology, an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, and an M.Sc. in Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology. I provide a comprehensive range of clinical services, including individual therapy, couples and family counselling, and autism assessment. My practice is informed by an extensive breadth of modalities, such as CBT, ACT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, the Gottman Method, and Somatic Therapy. I work with a diverse client base, supporting teenagers, adults, and seniors through complex challenges including PTSD, personality disorders, neurodivergence, and relationship dynamics. By integrating trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirmative approaches, I offer a tailored, professional space designed to address the unique intersections of identity and life experience. My clinical commitment is to provide expert, evidence-based psychological support that empowers you to navigate significant transitions, workplace pressures, and personal growth with confidence and clarity.

English
From £120 /session
🔥 Booked in Last 48 hrs
£1 Discovery Call
Roberta Crescenzo
Easy Booking
Woman ChelseaOnline via Google Meet

Mrs Roberta CrescenzoCounsellor

PGDip15+ years of experience

I am a BACP-registered counsellor with 15 years of experience supporting adults across the private and voluntary sectors. I hold a PGDip in Attachment-Based Therapy and an Adv. Dip. in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, providing me with a robust clinical foundation to support clients navigating complex personal, emotional, and relational challenges. I offer both short-term and open-ended therapy, welcoming adults from diverse backgrounds to my practice in South West London and online. My clinical expertise spans a broad spectrum, including bereavement, trauma recovery from domestic abuse and gaslighting, infertility, and various forms of anxiety. I am particularly adept at helping individuals manage the pressures of life transitions, low self-esteem, and relationship complexities. Whether you are dealing with the impact of past experiences or current life stressors, I provide a professional, thoughtful space where we can work together to understand your history and cultivate greater resilience in your everyday life.

EnglishItalian
From £70 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Param Singh Sahni
Easy Booking
Man Sudbury HillOnline via Google Meet

Mr Param Singh SahniPsychotherapist

MSc · PGDip · BA10+ years of experience

I am a UKCP-registered and BACP-accredited psychotherapist with over a decade of clinical experience, offering a warm, collaborative space for adults seeking meaningful change. My practice is informed by an MSc and a breadth of specialist training, allowing me to support clients through a diverse range of challenges including anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, addiction, and complex trauma. As a British Punjabi Sikh therapist, I bring a unique depth to my work, carefully considering the intersections of culture, race, faith, and identity. My expertise spans individual and online therapy, where I integrate modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Therapy to meet your specific needs. Whether we are navigating life transitions, relationship dynamics, or professional burnout, my aim is to facilitate genuine understanding. I am committed to providing an inclusive, non-judgemental environment where you can explore your personal history and current experiences to foster lasting emotional growth and wellbeing.

EnglishHindiPunjabi+1
From £120 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Hasina Sarwari
Easy Booking
Woman London BridgeOnline via Google Meet

Dr Hasina SarwariClinical Psychologist

DClinPsy · EMDR · EFT · BSc17+ years of experience

I am a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with seventeen years of experience supporting teenagers, adults, seniors, and couples across London and beyond. My practice is built upon a foundation of extensive clinical training, including a DClinPsy, and a diverse range of evidence-based modalities. I have cultivated a broad breadth of expertise, assisting clients with challenges ranging from anxiety, burnout, and PTSD to chronic pain, body image concerns, and complex life transitions. By integrating specialist approaches such as EMDR, EFT, IFS, and somatic therapy alongside traditional frameworks like CBT, ACT, and DBT, I provide a sophisticated, bespoke therapeutic experience. Whether working with individuals, couples, or adolescents, my focus remains on fostering deep, enduring change. I offer a professional, empathetic space where we can navigate your specific circumstances with clinical rigour and human understanding, helping you move towards a more grounded and authentic way of living.

English
From £200 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Sarah Jane Sellors
WomanOnline via Zoom

Sarah Jane SellorsPsychotherapist

MA7+ years of experience

I am an HCPC-registered Integrative Arts Psychotherapist with seven years of clinical experience supporting adults, teenagers, and children. My practice is built upon a relational foundation, providing a confidential space for clients to explore their challenges at their own pace. Drawing on a diverse toolkit—including psychodynamic, attachment-based, and cognitive behavioural therapies, alongside Gestalt and narrative approaches—I provide bespoke support for a wide range of needs. My professional background spans the NHS, education, and public services, where I have developed a deep understanding of the pressures inherent in modern life. I possess particular expertise in supporting clients through neurodivergence, bereavement, life transitions, and workplace burnout, as well as recovery from trauma and domestic abuse. By integrating my background in art therapy with traditional counselling, I offer a flexible, human-centred environment that encourages curiosity and genuine connection, helping you navigate complex experiences and personal growth.

English
From £100 /session
£1 Discovery Call
Stefan Eason
ManOnline via Zoom

Mr Stefan EasonPsychotherapist

PGDip5+ years of experience

I am a BABCP-accredited psychotherapist with over five years of clinical experience, including extensive work within the NHS. My practice is dedicated to providing evidence-based support for adults navigating a range of challenges, including depression, generalised anxiety, health anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. I hold a PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and specialise in delivering both CBT and EMDR therapy, which allows me to address complex symptoms such as panic attacks, phobias, and the impact of past trauma. In addition to my clinical work, I am committed to providing inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, ensuring a supportive space for all my clients. Whether you are dealing with grief and bereavement, perfectionism, or persistent low self-esteem, I offer a professional, tailored approach to help you navigate your difficulties. I work primarily through online therapy, providing accessible, high-quality care designed to help you understand your experiences and develop the tools needed for lasting change.

English
From £85 /session

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Common questions about postnatal depression

New mothers often share these concerns when they start to wonder if their low mood is something more than just exhaustion.

How can I tell the difference between baby blues and depression?

Baby blues are a natural, short-term emotional dip that typically passes within two weeks of birth as your hormones recalibrate. Postpartum depression, by contrast, feels heavier, more enduring and significantly interferes with your ability to enjoy your baby or manage your daily routines. When you feel trapped in a low mood that doesn't lift, it is time to seek professional input.

Is it still depression if I am doing a good job on the surface?

Many women navigate postpartum depression while outwardly maintaining their daily responsibilities, which can lead to a dangerous sense of isolation. Holding it all together does not mean you aren't struggling internally; it simply means you are working much harder than you should have to. Therapy can provide you with the support you deserve, regardless of how you appear to the outside world.

Does anxiety often accompany postnatal depression?

The two frequently overlap, and it is very common to feel both profoundly low and intensely anxious at the same time. You might feel agitated, unable to sleep even when the baby does, and prone to repetitive, frightening thoughts about your family’s safety. We treat the whole picture, focusing on the specific mixture of symptoms you are currently experiencing.

Can therapy help if I am struggling to feel connected to my baby?

Feeling distant, numb or disconnected can be a particularly painful symptom of postpartum depression that often triggers further feelings of shame. Therapy provides a secure, non-judgmental container to process these feelings, which often helps lift the fog of depression and creates the space for natural connection to grow in its own time.

When is the right time to start therapy for this?

Reach out as soon as you feel the weight of your experience is becoming hard to manage alone. There is absolutely no benefit to 'toughing it out' or waiting to see if things get better on their own. Early therapeutic intervention can prevent symptoms from becoming entrenched and help you regain your quality of life far sooner.

When should I seek therapy for postpartum depression?

It is worth considering therapy when postpartum depression is becoming persistent, distressing, or harder to manage on your own, especially if it is affecting work, relationships, sleep, confidence, or day-to-day functioning. You do not need to wait until things feel severe before asking for support. Early therapy can help you understand what is driving the pattern, reduce symptoms sooner, and decide whether focused online treatment, in-person therapy in London, or a broader clinical review is the most appropriate next step.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned about postpartum depression, please speak with a qualified therapist or your GP. In a crisis, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123.

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