Postnatal Group Therapy
You are not alone — support and healing start here.
Motherhood is a profound journey, but it can also come with unexpected challenges, including feelings of sadness, overwhelm, or disconnection.
This supportive therapy group is designed for mothers experiencing postpartum depression, offering a space to heal, grow, and connect with others who understand.
CORE LEARNINGS
Using evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques, this group focuses on:
- Understanding and managing difficult emotions
- Challenging unhelpful thought patterns
- Building skills to reduce stress and improve mood
- Learning strategies to reconnect with personal values and enjoy the moments that matter
Beyond learning and building new skills, this group provides the opportunity to create meaningful connections with other mothers navigating similar experiences.
Together, we’ll build a foundation for resilience, self-compassion, and hope as you embrace this new chapter in life.
Program Details
Mums in Mind offers a safe and supportive space for mothers experiencing postpartum depression. It is open to mothers of babies at any stage of the postpartum period seeking support, guidance, and community.
Structure:
- Start Date: June 2025
- Sessions: 10 x 90min session, held weekly
- Venue: Mind Up Clinic (online unavailable)
- Max Number of Participants: 10
- Program Cost: $1500 per participant
Session Outline
- Focus: Introduction and group norms. Overview of postpartum depression and its impact.
- Activities:
- Icebreakers and sharing personal goals for the group.
- Introduction to CBT and ACT approaches.
- Brief mindfulness exercise (ACT focus).
- Focus: Biological, emotional, and psychological factors contributing to postpartum depression.
- Activities:
- Psychoeducation on postpartum hormonal changes and stressors.
- Exploring the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours (CBT focus).
- Group discussion: “What’s been the hardest part for me?”
- Focus: Identifying and reframing unhelpful thought patterns.
- Activities:
- Recognising cognitive distortions common in postpartum depression.
- Exercises for challenging unhelpful thoughts (CBT focus).
- Introduction to diffusion techniques (ACT focus).
- Focus: Clarifying personal values and reconnecting with what matters most.
- Activities:
- ACT exercise: Identifying values as a guide for action.
- Exploring barriers that prevent living in alignment with values.
- Sharing strategies for small, meaningful actions aligned with values.
- Focus: Developing coping strategies for managing stress and overwhelm.
- Activities:
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction exercises (ACT focus).
- Creating a self-care plan tailored to postpartum life.
- Problem-solving common postpartum challenges.
- Focus: Engaging partners to foster understanding and support.
- Activities:
- Education on postpartum depression and how partners can help.
- Tools for effective communication and managing expectations.
- Providing resources for continued family support.
- Focus: Understanding the biological and medical aspects of postpartum depression.
- Activities:
- Presentation by a GP on hormonal changes, sleep, nutrition, and medication options.
- Open Q&A session for participants to address concerns.
- Discussion on combining medical and psychological approaches.
- Focus: Strengthening emotional resilience and coping with setbacks.
- Activities:
- ACT exercise: Acceptance of difficult emotions.
- CBT strategies for managing setbacks and preventing relapse.
- Group discussion on personal sources of strength and resilience.
- Focus: Enhancing relationships and building a strong support system.
- Activities:
- Identifying key people and resources in each mother’s support network.
- ACT exercise: Practicing compassion for self and others.
- Group brainstorming on navigating social challenges and isolation.
- Focus: Consolidating skills, reflecting on progress, and planning for the future.
- Activities:
- Review of key concepts and tools from the program.
- Participants share personal progress and goals moving forward.
- Group closure: Celebrating resilience and new connections.