Which Mental Health Professional Is Right for Me?
Not sure which mental health professional to see during pregnancy or after having a baby? Learn the difference between a Perinatal Counsellor, Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist, and how to choose the right kind of support for what you're experiencing.
Pregnancy, birth and becoming a parent can bring enormous changes in terms of physically, emotionally, psychologically and within relationships.
Sometimes you know exactly what kind of support you are looking for. Sometimes you simply know that something doesn't feel quite right. And sometimes, you just want someone who understands this phase and can help you make sense of it.
You may come across different kinds of mental health professionals on Woon Health. While their work can overlap, their training and scope are different.
Understanding these differences can help you make a more informed choice.
Perinatal Counsellor
For when you want support in understanding and navigating the transition into parenthood.
A Perinatal Counsellor has specific training in the perinatal period and can support you through the many changes that pregnancy, postpartum and early parenthood can bring.
You might choose a Perinatal Counsellor if you:
• Would benefit from perinatal psychoeducation, awareness, emotional support or guidance
• Want to better understand the physical, emotional and psychological changes that can occur during pregnancy, postpartum and early parenthood
• Want a safe space to make sense of what you are experiencing and understand whether you may benefit from additional support
• Want support navigating the transition into parenthood, including changes in routines, roles, relationships and expectations
• Want support with everyday challenges and stressors during pregnancy or postpartum
• Are feeling overwhelmed by the transition and would like support to identify and develop coping strategies
• Want support understanding and navigating changes within your relationships, family roles and support systems
• Are looking for someone who understands the perinatal journey and can help you access the right information, resources or specialised professional support when needed
A Perinatal Counsellor may also use appropriate wellbeing screening tools, where trained, to help identify concerns and determine whether further assessment or support may be useful.
You don't need to have a mental health concern to benefit from perinatal counselling.
Sometimes, having someone who understands the journey and can help you make sense of what is happening can itself be valuable.
At the same time, if your concerns indicate that you may benefit from psychological assessment or therapy, a Perinatal Counsellor can help you identify that and connect you with the appropriate professional.
Counselling Psychologist
For when you are experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties and want to explore and work through them more deeply.
A Counselling Psychologist can provide psychological assessment, formulation and psychotherapy for a range of emotional, psychological and relational concerns.
You might consider a Counselling Psychologist if you are experiencing:
• Persistent anxiety, sadness or emotional distress
• Significant guilt, overwhelm or difficulty coping
• Difficulties adjusting to parenthood that are affecting your wellbeing or functioning
• Birth-related distress or trauma
• Pregnancy or perinatal loss and grief
• Difficulties around identity, self-worth or relationships
• Difficulties with emotional regulation
• Concerns about bonding or connection
• Previous psychological difficulties resurfacing during pregnancy or postpartum
• Emotional or psychological concerns that you would like to understand and work through with professional support
A psychologist may use screening tools as part of a broader assessment. Screening results are considered alongside your history, circumstances, functioning, strengths and current concerns to understand what kind of support may be appropriate.
You don't have to decide for yourself whether your concern is "serious enough" to see a psychologist.
If something is troubling you, you are allowed to seek help before it reaches a crisis.
Clinical Psychologist
For when specialised psychological assessment or clinical intervention may be required.
Clinical Psychologists have specialised training in psychological assessment and clinical intervention. Their role may be particularly relevant when a person has more complex psychological needs or requires specialised assessment or treatment, depending on the psychologist's qualifications and area of competence.
A Clinical Psychologist may be involved when:
• Specialized psychological assessment is required
• Psychological difficulties are complex or significantly affecting functioning
• A person has an established or suspected mental health condition requiring specialized intervention
• A specialized psychological intervention is indicated
• Multidisciplinary mental health care may be required
In situations involving suspected psychosis, mania, severe depression, immediate safety concerns, or risk to the parent or baby, urgent psychiatric or medical assessment may be necessary. Psychological care may then form part of a multidisciplinary treatment plan.
So, who should you choose?
There isn't a hierarchy where one professional is simply "better" than another.
The question is not:
"How serious is my problem, and which professional am I allowed to see?"
It is:
"What kind of support would be most helpful for me right now?"
You may begin with a Perinatal Counsellor and later benefit from psychological therapy.
You may choose to see a Counselling Psychologist directly.
You may require specialised psychological or psychiatric care.
And your needs can change over time.
Your care can change with them.
If you're unsure where to begin, you don't have to figure it out alone. Woon Health can help you identify an appropriate starting point based on what you are experiencing.
The goal is not to choose the most expensive option or simply the lowest-cost option.
The goal is to find the right kind of support for where you are in your journey.