Seeking CBT therapist specialising in post-natal depression / PND support group

[Mrs Jingles]

Hi there - it's my first time on this forum, so not sure if I'm posting this thread in the right section or not!

I'm trying to help an ED-based friend find a qualified therapist specialising in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) for post-natal depression. A therapist in East Dulwich would be ideal to minimise any additional stress of factoring travel into the equation, but suggestions in wider South East London also welcome. Ideally someone that comes with a recommendation/experience of working successfully with that therapist.

The therapist should be BUPA-approved as my friend has BUPA private healthcare through work that would fund her treatment.

Equally, if anyone knows of any post natal depression support groups locally, this could also be very useful indeed, so please let me know. Thanks very much in advance!

[midivydale]

Hi there,didnt want to read and run I had CBT therapy at Maudsley for PND/PTSD. Despite what one may think when it comes to the NHS the referal was very swift and the waiting time only a few days. I was with bupa at the time but as the Maudsley came through so quickly I did not have a chance to proceed with BUPA.

I expect you will receive a number of pms from forumites offering support, once you open up people are often quick to offer help. I remember still to this day the messages of support I received when I posted on here so perhaps encourage your friend to post here?

Finally, a forumite and friend Bridget Hargreves one of the amazing women reaching out to me at the time has written a great book "fine, not fine" which is brilliant.

[Pugwash]

The CASSEL Centre in Forest Hill has CBT therapists on their books. Check out their website for more details.

[Mrs Jingles]

Pugwash - thank you ever so much, I'll check it out.

[Mrs Jingles]

Hi midivydale - thanks so much for your speedy and informative response. Your experience of a swift NHS referral to the Maudsley is very encouraging. Am I right in thinking that the Maudsley is Denmark Hill area and therefore easily accessible from East Dulwich? (Sorry for being dim, I'm not local to London now but did live in SE London 20 odd years ago, so my geography in terms of what's practical on foot/by public transport is a bit sketchy!).

I'll certainly pass on to my friend what you said about offers of support on the forum, plus the book sounds excellent.

Thanks again for such a helpful response, I hope you are now fully recovered from your experiences.

midivydale Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hi there,didnt want to read and run I had CBT

> therapy at Maudsley for PND/PTSD. Despite what one

> may think when it comes to the NHS the referal was

> very swift and the waiting time only a few days. I

> was with bupa at the time but as the Maudsley came

> through so quickly I did not have a chance to

> proceed with BUPA.

>

> I expect you will receive a number of pms from

> forumites offering support, once you open up

> people are often quick to offer help. I remember

> still to this day the messages of support I

> received when I posted on here so perhaps

> encourage your friend to post here?

>

> Finally, a forumite and friend Bridget Hargreves

> one of the amazing women reaching out to me at the

> time has written a great book "fine, not fine"

> which is brilliant.

[Cora]

Yes Maudsley is just opposite Kings.

Her GP can do an urgent referral and/or she can self-refer (or I guess you could do it for her).

Give them a ring - Can't find a self-referral number but I think this is the general number 'Our switchboard number, for general enquiries, call redirection and bleep requests operates 24hrs a day on 020 3228 6000'.

Please reassure her that there is a load of help out there, especially if she can go private and that she will feel better. The therapists understand what's going on when we ourselves feel like everything is unravelling.

There are also other therapists who specialise in post-natal issues locally. One that seems well recommended on here is Christine Langoff (from memory) - think her tag name is Dulwichpsychology...(a bit vague but you should be able to find her).

Well done for being a great friend...even though you're far away..

[Mrs Jingles]

You people on here are amazing! What a community. Thanks so much Cora for these suggestions. Christine Langhoff is a name that has come up a few times actually now through my own searches and a PM to me via this thread, so although she's not under BUPA I'll still be passing the details on.

Going to ring the Maudsley now - thanks for the details.

[midivydale]

Plse encourage your friend to post on here herself as well when she feels up to it. She will get alot of support. She is always welcome to PM me if she wants to chat. Is she on medication? I felt better in a very short space of time with the right medication. It was a Godsend to me.

How is she coping with the baby, does she have support?

My baby had severe reflux and allergies and the sleep deprivation along with a very traumatic birth made my mental health really deteriorate. Please encourge her to seek support, you seem like a lovely friend.

I remember lying to all the health questions that people asked. I was scared that people would think I was a horrible mother if I admitted how I felt. That pretending (fine, not fine) was awful and so very isolating. It is an incredibly dark place to be. There is so much support out there, if only you can bring yourself to access it. She is not alone!

[Mrs Jingles]

midivydale, I can't thank you enough for that message - your openness is brilliant. Your offer of a PM dialogue will be very much appreciated I think, I will try to put her in touch.

[Kes]

I'd just echo everything Midivydale has said, the Maudsley were great and I didn't even have to wait long, it's very easy to get to from ED.

[Belle]

Only just seeing this, but great advice here.I would just echo that Christine Langhoff is brilliant, I interviewed her for the book Midivydale mentions (thanks so much for your kind words!) and wished I'd known about her when I was going through PND.

It's interesting about groups, I was desperate for one but know of two therapists locally who have tried them in the past and not had huge take up. It's worth exploring if there are any new ones. Another excellent counsellor with a perinatal specialism is Dr Helena Belgrave, who runs private sessions from the Dulwich Therapy Rooms (above Health Matters).

And as others have said, the Maudsley is a great resource which we are lucky to have on our doorstep. I am a huge fan of the NHS but if there is a chance of using insurance, the advantage with private practice will be the option of e.g. evening sessions and just being that bit closer. That said, I found it easy to get to the Maudsley when I did CBT second time around. I say this because I know that at some stages, with PND, just getting out of the house, let alone to an appointment at a specified time can seem very stressful and difficult.

Finally, there are supportive charities out there worth exploring - sometimes locally based ones are best. There is a London one called Cocoon, and there is an active PND supportive community on Twitter (with a weekly Twitter chat if you search for #pndhour). My opinion is that this is a much more talked about and supported issue than it was a few years ago. I wish your friend all the best and as Midivydale says do feel free to PM!

[Mrs Jingles]

Thanks Belle, this is all very useful information, and again lots of new stuff that I'd not previously found. I'm pleasantly surprised that there seems to be so much out there, once you know where to look, so thanks to everyone for pointing me in the right direction.

[dulwichpsychology]

Thank you very much for the recommendations. Mrs Jingles, you have already been in touch with me and unfortunately I do not work with BUPA (but with most of the other major insurance companies). Most private insurers do fund psychological therapy for PND and as has been said before access can be more rapid than NHS. I always offer an initial appointment within 7 days - sometimes on the same day if possible. I am also able to offer home visits to help with ease of access to psychological therapy in the early days, especially if it is difficult to leave the house. The service at the Maudsley is fantastic and offers both individual work as well as group sessions and access has become more rapid too. I have had both clients who initially went to the Maudsley and then started coming to me and also clients who had a few sessions with me first whilst waiting for NHS services.

There are many websites that provide support as mentioned before. In addition there are some postnatal groups in various places, for example some run by the NCT, although these are not targeted at PND but can provide lots of support. I used to offer support groups locally but uptake was very limited and I have since stopped doing these groups. Some of my clients have found the Cedar House Support Groups very helpful - its a bit further afield (Balham and Battersea) but might still be an option.

Another great resource is a book by Michelle Cree - The Compassionate Mind Approach to Postnatal Depression.

[dulwichpsychology]

Just to add, I have also heard good things about the Mindful Mums Groups run by Mind in Penge.

https://www.blmind.org.uk/bromley-services/support-mothers/mindful-mums/

[Mrs Jingles]

Thanks again everyone for your input on this, you've been fantastic and so supportive.

[aandl]

Hi all, I am the friend that Mrs Jingles (my absolutely wonderful friend) is posting about. Thank you for all your ideas and suggestions. It's very much appreciated.

[midivydale]

Hi aandi, so lovely to see you on here. Welcome to the forum. How are you doing? I have just had a family bereavement so disappeared for a little while. X

X

[Rozzie]

Hi,

I am a registered Art Therapist and currently run 6 week art therapy groups for new mums in East Dulwich. These groups are intended to support new mothers who may be experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression; may have had difficult or traumatic births or may be struggling to adjust to the changes that come with new motherhood. The next group starts on 24th February and takes place at Punk Me Up Ceramics Cafe on East Dulwich Road. You can contact me via email [email protected]. Best wishes, Ros

[petra_29]

Another recommendation for Christine Langhoff. I have recently been a client of hers to try to feel better and more 'together' after the birth of my second child. She has a great manner and is very easy to talk to. I feel she has equipped me with the tools to remain positive and 'on top of' how I'm feeling.

[siomcc]

I also work with post natal depression. See reviews on East Dulwich Forum herehttps://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,1956179,2103128#msg-2103128 and herehttps://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,1779508,2080025#msg-2080025 If I can not see you as I am am often full I can recommend one of my senior associates too. All enquiries to 07796 530406 Dr Siobhan McCarthy

[circlepsychology]

We have three perinatal specialists at Circle Psychology Partners

Dr Christine Langhoff, Dr Robin Schacht and Sara Roberts. Sessions are offered in SE21, SE22 and online. In addition we run a weekly support group for new mothers at Bell House on Mondays at 10am. www.circlepsychologypartners.co.uk