Navigating the 4th Trimester Group

What is the 4th Trimester Group?

This group is designed for individuals struggling with mood and anxiety during the post-partum period. In navigating the difficult transition to parenthood, many new parents experience significantly decreased mood and increased anxiety in the two years after the birth of their child. This group is structured to help provide you tools to manage post-partum mood difficulties as well as providing a safe and supportive environment. We will begin by providing information about the common experiences post-partum and what can contribute to mood and anxiety difficulties. We will then take you through an evidence-based program which will help you learn tools to manage symptoms associated with low mood and anxiety. You do not need a diagnosis of post-partum depression or anxiety to qualify for this group. This group is available to anyone who finds themselves struggling in the post-partum period. Parent(s) also have the option to bring their babies with them to group.

The 4th trimester group is a closed group consisting of 8-10 participants who are 18 years of age and older. It runs for 9 weeks, each session approximately 2 hours in length and is co-facilitated by Charlene Frank, RCSW and Dr. Rachel King, R. Psych. You will be encouraged to practice skills between groups and you will be given an opportunity to debrief and trouble shoot the skills from the previous week with your co-facilitators.

How does our Navigating the 4th Trimester Group differ from other postpartum support groups?

What will I learn?

You will learn information about common post-partum experiences and have a space to share with others who can validate your experience. We will then engage in a program designed to treat depression and anxiety by providing concrete things that you can do differently to manage your mood. We will discuss how common thought patterns, beliefs and expectations can contribute to emotional difficulties. We will then teach you tools for how to intervene when your thoughts feel overwhelming or difficult to control. Finally, we will introduce strategies for acceptance and self-compassion so that you can weather the inevitable difficulties which present themselves during this phase of life.

Psychoeducation:

• Understand the nature of depression and low mood within the PPD and PPA context

• Learn how unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as isolation, lack of sleep and exercise, and lack of pleasant activities due to physical health factors and the abrupt life transition of having a baby, contribute to and perpetuate mood problems.

Behavioral activation:

• Engaging in healthy behaviors and activating supports, reducing risk for further post-partum concerns

Cognitive Strategies:

• Increasing awareness of automatic negative thoughts.

• Discussion and activities on one’s interpretation impact on response.

• Learn thoughts records (including related skills such as cognitive bias, Fact vs opinion)

Acceptance Strategies:

• Radical Acceptance

• Self-compassion

Cost:

The cost for this group is $1000 ($100 per weekly session and $100 deposit).

How do I sign up?

Call us at 780-860-7338 or contact us to learn more about this group. If you'd like to join the waitlist to be notified when this group starts again, let us know.