Individual counseling seems to work more effectively than group sessions when the mother is experiencing severe symptoms of depression. A competent mental health provider can often be located through postpartum support groups of local hospitals. The mother should ask if the mental health professional has treated postpartum depression and discuss treatment options. A counselor should be nonjudgmental when the mother expresses her thoughts and reassure her that her feelings are similar to other depressed mothers. Informing the mother that the depression will eventually disappear provides hope of recovery.
Group therapy is most beneficial after the mother has recovered from severe depression.
During the acute phase, a group of strangers can seem threatening. Once the initial symptoms have diminished, participation in a postpartum support group can help reduce feelings of isolation, anger, and guilt. 2 Contact with other mothers who have recovered from this illness reinforces the belief that the depression will eventually dissipate. The recovering mother will have good days and bad days. She might seem well for a short time and then suddenly become depressed again.