Islington Parent and Baby Psychology Service

What is it?

Local Services

Service Info

Interventions for expecting and new parents.
Support for parents during the transition to parenthood.
Providing a safe space for parental thoughts and feelings.
Fostering positive parent-baby relationships.

Here's more detail

Published: 03/05/24

We know that adjusting to parenthood can be challenging and can lead to difficult feelings that can sometimes interfere with the enjoyment of parenting.

The Parent and Baby Psychology Service (PBPS) offers help to parents to be and parents with a baby under one in this situation.

We run weekly psychology clinics for expectant parents and parents, with babies under one year, who are finding the transition to parenthood challenging. This may show through low mood, anxiety or finding it difficult to bond with their baby.

These appointments provide a safe place for expectant mothers and fathers to share in confidence their thoughts and feelings about becoming a parent. Some of these clinics are run in Health Centres and others in Children’s Centres.

Appointments can be offered individually or with the baby present, with an average of 6-10 sessions. Sometimes partners or other family members can join if helpful. The service does not accept self-referrals.

For a referral to the PBPS please approach your health visitor or GP.

Parent and Baby Psychology Service leaflet.pdf

293.37 KB, PDF

Who is this service for?
Our clients are mums and dads expecting a baby, and with a baby up to the age of one, who are finding the adjustment to parenthood difficult.
This may show in any of the following ways:
Low mood and depression, which is having an impact on coping and feelings about themselves as a parent.
Anxiety, in the form of worries, panic, fears, obsessions or perhaps sleep difficulties.
Issues to do with bonding with their baby.
Losses and gains, such as change in role and loss in relation to work, socialising or other aspects of life.
Parents’ own memories of being parented that may be difficult or upsetting and hopes for parenting differently.
If parents have severe post-natal depression or chronic or severe mental health problems, you should refer instead to the Perinatal Mental Health Team. As a community psychology service, we are not able to offer the multidisciplinary treatment package needed by parents with more complex difficulties, such as medication, psychiatric assessment or inpatient facilities. When appropriate, we work alongside the Perinatal Mental Health Team to provide a package of care for parents.
Who can refer?

We accept referrals for families with an Islington GP and health visitor. Referrals can be made by GPs, health visitors, midwives, and adult mental health professionals. We do not accept self-referrals. If you are concerned about a family, please contact the health visitor or midwife in the first instance to clarify their involvement; namely screening and listening visits.
To refer a referral form should be completed and sent by email to whh-tr.icamhs@nhs.net (please email to request a form if needed).

Contact information

To refer a referral form should be completed and sent by email to whh-tr.icamhs@nhs.net (please email to request a form if needed).

“A wonderful service which helped me re-gain my mental sanity. It allowed me to employ coping mechanisms and solutions to problems. It helped me address key issues and how to manage if they spiralled out of control. I strongly believe it helped to prevent post-natal depression”

Parent

“It was a pleasure to work with my therapist. She had a calm manner and took the time to listen. She helped me identify my areas of need and opportunities to change some of the issues I was facing as a parent. My wife and I are very grateful for the service and support we received - THANK YOU!”

Parent

“Overall great experience, very insightful and helped me feel much better about myself and being a mother. The therapy provided helpful reflection and perspective and changed my negative thought spiral, my therapist made me feel understood and listened to which was very comforting”

Parent