Hilary Waller

Written by a pioneer in the field, this second edition provides updated skill-building tools and a more developed, comprehensive understanding of how therapists can use the holding approach when treating perinatal distress. First conceptualized by D. W. Winnicott, the “holding” approach refers to a therapist’s capacity to respond to postpartum distress in a way that facilitates an immediate and successful therapeutic alliance. This model has continued to advance, and this newly updated edition will help readers learn how to contain high levels of agitation, fear, and panic in a way that cultivates trust and the early stages of connectedness. Filled with vignettes throughout, this book includes chapters on what holding is, how to prepare using this model, the emotions specific to postpartum mothers, the essential holding elements, and the practice of holding. This book uniquely addresses the needs of therapists who may find themselves confronting, struggling with, or recovering from their own reproductively related journeys, with chapters discussing the professional’s identity, clinical challenges, and a new chapter on cultural humility. This book is essential reading for all of those in the perinatal mental health community, such as therapists, social workers, and clinicians.

Written by a pioneer in the field, this second edition provides updated skill-building tools and a more developed, comprehensive understanding of how therapists can use the holding approach when treating perinatal distress. First conceptualized by D. W. Winnicott, the “holding” approach refers to a therapist’s capacity to respond to postpartum distress in a way that facilitates an immediate and successful therapeutic alliance. This model has continued to advance, and this newly updated edition will help readers learn how to contain high levels of agitation, fear, and panic in a way that cultivates trust and the early stages of connectedness. Filled with vignettes throughout, this book includes chapters on what holding is, how to prepare using this model, the emotions specific to postpartum mothers, the essential holding elements, and the practice of holding. This book uniquely addresses the needs of therapists who may find themselves confronting, struggling with, or recovering from their own reproductively related journeys, with chapters discussing the professional’s identity, clinical challenges, and a new chapter on cultural humility. This book is essential reading for all of those in the perinatal mental health community, such as therapists, social workers, and clinicians.

ARE YOU LISTENING TO WHAT SHE'S NOT SAYING? Caught between worrying about how she feels and desperately working to portray the image of a good mother, a perfect mother, a mother who knows what's she's doing, the postpartum woman in distress is more likely to choose silence or minimization over disclosure. She will allow her suffering-her dark mood, scary intrusive thoughts, intense anxiety, excessive monitoring of the baby, feelings of inadequacy, grief over lost independence, thoughts of harming herself or the baby, and even delusions and hallucinations-to fly under the radar in exchange for a calm and collected exterior. Even if she's worried about how she feels. Even if she and her baby are in danger. The Perinatal Patient seeks to change that. Co-written by world-renowned maternal mental health expert Karen Kleiman and her highly accomplished mentee at The Postpartum Stress Center, Hilary Waller, this book offers revolutionary, compassionate guidance into the nuanced assessment and treatment of mental health symptoms postpartum-a critical period that does not offer the luxury of time. Filled with case studies, worksheets, and handouts for both patients and providers, this invaluable resource will help you: - Increase the likelihood that patients will disclose how they're feeling - Differentiate between "normal" perinatal experiences and more serious symptoms - Normalize and respond effectively to mothers' intrusive thoughts - Decrease mothers' feelings of isolation and help them build their social support systems - Determine when to refer a mother to a higher level of care - Navigate the complexities of infertility, pregnancy loss, and medical complications post birth - And more

This accessible guide addresses the nature of the intrusive and unwanted thoughts that can be common in new parenthood, and offers practical answers and advice on how to tackle these. With fresh material focusing on how to overcome barriers to disclosure and stigma, and updated treatment approaches and case descriptions, this revised edition explains exactly what these negative thoughts are, why they come about, and what can be done about them. Chapters offer information on the specific nature of perinatal anxiety and related disorders, along with take-home points and evidence-based strategies for symptom relief that clinicians can use effectively with new parents. Written by two leading clinicians in the perinatal community, in collaboration with two promising leaders in this specialized field, Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts, 2nd edition offers a compassionate approach to breaking the cycle of scary thoughts that is invaluable to new parents and clinicians alike.

This accessible guide addresses the nature of the intrusive and unwanted thoughts that can be common in new parenthood, and offers practical answers and advice on how to tackle these. With fresh material focusing on how to overcome barriers to disclosure and stigma, and updated treatment approaches and case descriptions, this revised edition explains exactly what these negative thoughts are, why they come about, and what can be done about them. Chapters offer information on the specific nature of perinatal anxiety and related disorders, along with take-home points and evidence-based strategies for symptom relief that clinicians can use effectively with new parents. Written by two leading clinicians in the perinatal community, in collaboration with two promising leaders in this specialized field, Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts, 2nd edition offers a compassionate approach to breaking the cycle of scary thoughts that is invaluable to new parents and clinicians alike.