During pregnancy, you may need to work through fear and anxiety, because it is a period in which many issues are brought to the surface. Your body is doing a great job and is going through many changes, but your psyche also has some work to do.
Sharing your feelings with loved ones or in a community with other pregnant women can be very helpful. Often, talking about emotions that may seem overwhelming is a great first to handling them. But if you want to go deep into your emotions, and work on any underlying issues, now is the time to consider visiting a psychologist.
Five situations in which a psychologist can help
1. You do not understand what is happening to you, and you constantly wonder if it is normal. 2. You are aware of the problem but don't know how to solve it. 3. You can't share your feelings with family and friends. 4. Negative emotions consume your thoughts. 5. People close to you have suggested seeing a psychologist, even when you think you have everything under control.
How to choose a psychologist
The most common way to choose a psychologist is to read their reviews or get recommendations from friends. However, the specialist that is a perfect fit for your friend may not be ideal for you.
Make sure your therapist has experience working with pregnant women and most importantly, that you feel comfortable talking and opening up to them. Checking their credentials is also a must.
What to consider when choosing a psychologist
A psychologist trained and with experience in perinatal psychology would be great, because not all mental health professionals understand pregnancy; if you can’t find one you could also consider revisiting a former therapist with whom you had a positive experience.
First meeting with a psychologist
When you first meet with a psychologist, they will probably ask a lot of questions about your background and current situation. During this get-to-know-you conversation, make sure to ask questions about the psychologist's approach to therapy. Getting to know them is essential for building a trusting relationship. Don’t forget that if you ever feel uncomfortable with your therapist, you can stop seeing them and seek support from someone else at any time.
