How do you work with clients with pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum issues?
While I strongly focus on coping skills related work for any population I work with, clients in the perinatal period experience unique environmental and social stressors as the soon to be or birthing persons. Society puts immense pressure and scrutiny on how the role and period of motherhood should look and be perceived and it is just so no simple. It takes an understanding that the perinatal experience is not "one size fits all" and there is a gradient of experiences that can not only be devastating to a parent and potential family but can uniquely activate one's own inner child. It is important to have space and skills to not only treat the primary symptoms of a PMAD (perinatal mood and anxiety disorder) but understand the system with which we are treating in. Treatment of PMADs is not only about the patient but more importantly their baby and relationship and the often impacted attachment that can occur. This work is as much about the patient as it is supporting the generations to follow.
Lily McWilliam is an LCSW who works with expectant and birthing persons in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders with a specialty in treating addiction disorders. Working form adolescence through adulthood, Lily strives to provide an authentic space for clients to process, and build coping skills to navigate the various stages of life's journey.