In an endeavour to improve the mental health of expectant and new parents, perinatal mental health specialists from the Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network, and the Perinatal Psychiatry Network, have joined forces to service an expansive spread of Melbourne locations. We are delighted to be working alongside some of Melbourne's leading Perinatal Psychiatrists. These practitioners are skilled in dealing with specific issues that arise for pregnant and postnatal women and new dads. Women can feel anxious about a current or pre-existing mental health condition in light of planning a pregnancy, being pregnant, or adjusting to the demands of new motherhood. Questions and fears about the safety of medication can elicit significant anxiety, which can be addressed by skilled specialist Psychiatrists. Men can experience anxious apprehension during their partner/wife's pregnancy, and both men and women can experience birth as traumatic. Adjusting to becoming parents can be particularly difficult when a mental health condition is left untreated. For some people, taking the first step towards seeking help can be daunting. However dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health disturbances in the childbearing years, can provide an enormous relief for the individual (and his/her partner) and can make for a happier, calmer and more meaningful family life. Ultimately, the emotional well-being of mums and dads is vital to the wellbeing of babies and young children. Written by Dr Renée Miller Principal Clinical Psychologist Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au For enquiries about the Perinatal Psychiatry Network Dr Klara Szego Principal Perinatal Psychiatrist Perinatal Psychiatry Network perinatalpsychiatrynetwork.com.au 
Our aim is to provide sound and supportive information related to childbearing and parenting. Dr Renée Miller only selects and shares posts that have an evidence-base or that are psychologically astute and emotionally nourishing. A little humour and some heart-warming stories are shared too. Topics we have covered include: - pregnancy and postnatal depression, anxiety & stress - mental health of dads - grandparents - assisted reproduction - parent-infant bonding - helping young children with anxiety - recommended books for children - parenting during tantrums - mindfulness - fostering resilience in children - postnatal psychosis - teaching children about body safety - motherhood - managing tantrums, impulsivity, aggressive behaviour - special needs parenting - same sex relationship - strengthening relationships after baby - bereaved parents - donor conception - surrogacy - sleep difficulties - managing parental anger - managing intrusive thoughts - helping children to express their feelings - miscarriage - school refusal - fun activities for young children - premature birth - 'good enough' mothering - managing bed time difficulties - dealing with infertility - dealing with mother guilt - managing sibling rivalry - setting limits - helping children through separation and divorce - dealing with fussy eating Follow our Facebook page for reliable, quality information you can trust. 
Dr Renée Miller (principal psychologist) says, "we are a dedicated network of specialist practitioners, passionate about supporting people through the difficulties that can arise at this profound time in their lives. Most people are aware of postnatal depression, but there is a lot more that brings women (and their partners) to our psychologists."
APPN psychologists support couples experiencing the devastating loss of a much-wanted pregnancy; single women using donor sperm to fall pregnant; couples struggling to conceive - who are dealing with the arduous emotional challenges of assisted fertility or donor conception; couples undergoing the turmoil of deciding whether to proceed with a pregnancy when a fetal diagnosis has been made; women experiencing pregnancy depression, anxiety and stress; gender disappointment; fear of childbirth, traumatic birth and premature birth; new parents feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or depressed; parent-infant bonding difficulties, and a multitude of other issues that arise at this highly vulnerable time in people's lives (up to three years post-birth). Dr Renée Miller reports, "it's generally women who find us, either through their own internet searches, or by being referred by a caring gp, obstetrician, midwife, or Maternal & Child Health Nurse. However some men contact us when they are concerned about the emotional well-being of their wives or partners. We try to make initial contact as personalised as possible, knowing that women are often distressed or even ashamed to be seeking help. Our psychologists are contactable directly by mobile phone at which point women are tended to with the warmth, care and encouragement that is typical of APPN psychologists." As the onset of some postnatal disorders (such as postpartum psychosis) can be rapid, APPN psychologists endeavour to triage patients to immediate care by working closely with PANDA counsellors, women's gps, perinatal psychiatrists (psychiatrists who specialise in pregnancy and the postnatal period), and in extreme cases - Crisis Assessment Teams (CAT) - for urgent help in women's homes. For less serious conditions, our wait times are usually within two weeks, due to the number of psychologists and the locations we service. In addition to the clinical services provided by APPN, Dr Renée Miller personally curates a community Facebook Page that provides women and new parents with sound and supportive information related to childbearing and parenting. "I read through screeds of trite parenting advice on the internet, and select and only share posts that have an evidence-base or that are psychologically astute and emotionally nourishing. The occasional bit of humour is shared too". "The most rewarding part of what we do is seeing women and couples flourish into better versions of themselves. Finding clarity in what they value; processing and shedding old hurts; re-aligning their expectations into more realistic, more compassionate ones; finding meaning in their day to day lives; communicating better; building confidence in their relationships (particularly with their babies); building confidence in the parenting skills; and learning to live less in the past or imagined future, and more in the present moment. We love what we do and see it as a privilege to play a role in helping our clients thrive." APPN psychologists can be found at www.antenatalandpostnatalpsychology.com.au APPN locations - Albert Park, Box Hill, Caulfield North, Hampton, Kew, Newport, Niddrie, North Carlton, Oakleigh, South Yarra, Watsonia, Werribee. |
AuthorPosted by Dr Renée Miller Archives
May 2018
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
|
|
|
|