Referring your patients to perinatal psychologists

It can be daunting for your patients to open up about their emotional difficulties and to take steps towards seeking help from a psychologist. This is especially the case for pregnant or postnatal women and new dads, who are surrounded by societal expectations that pregnancy and new parenthood 'should' be blissful and natural.

Unfortunately stigma still exists and people can understandably feel anxious about opening up to a complete stranger. Some people even feel ashamed that they are struggling to cope at a time that they 'should' be feeling happy.

At the Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network, we are particular about collaborating with psychologists who possess the qualities we know women and couples value when seeking help for difficulties related to fertility, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years. Patients select the psychologist of their choice from our website, and the initial and ongoing contact is made directly with that psychologist. We operate this way in order to ensure new patients feel at ease from the first point of contact. You and your patients can be assured that our psychologists fulfil the criteria of the six C's:

​Competent 
Patients need to know that the psychologist is competent - that she/he (I will use "she") is informed of the latest perinatal research and clinical evidence-base, and that she has helped other people with similar presenting problems during pregnancy and/or the postpartum.

Credibile
The psychologist has the qualifications, specific training, and experience to substantiate her expertise in the perinatal field.

Caring
The psychologist shows a genuine concern about the well-being of your patients, helping them to build their confidence and resources for managing the difficulties they face.

Compassionate
The psychologist is empathic, kind and non-judgemental, with a deep-seated belief in the human capacity for psychological growth.

Calm
The psychologist has the temperament, experience and ability to tolerate and manage big emotions, intense grief, and crisis situations.

Conscientious
The psychologist can be trusted to care responsibly for at-risk patients (including infants). She communicates well with medical and obstetric practitioners, and has good relationships with maternal & child health nurses to fully support new parents. She works collaboratively with perinatal psychiatrists (knowing when to refer patients to such psychiatrists). She is vigilant about ethics, patient confidentiality, reporting, and follow-up that is in the best interest of the patient. 

Finally, for pregnant and postnatal patients, it is helpful for the psychologist to be close in proximity, so that the patient does not need to travel too far - especially if pregnant or with little ones. 

These therapist qualities, along with 16 Melbourne and 2 Mornington Peninsula Clinic locations, depict the core values of the Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network, in our best efforts to service Melbourne's perinatal populations. Indeed, these are the qualities upon which we recently expanded our service by collaborating with three impressive perinatal psychologists located in Melbourne's East. Dr Delwyn Carpenter (Burwood East and Boronia), Rachel Watts (Doncaster East), and Yolanda Romeo (Kew).

If you are a referrer and you would like to meet the psychologist/s in your area, we are more than happy to come by your practice or centre to meet in person. This can be arranged by contacting Dr Renée Miller renee.miller2@optusnet.com.au