Seeing a counsellor can be a very important part of recovery from antenatal and postnatal depression. Regular appointments mean time is set aside for the new mother to focus on herself, how she has been feeling and what is important to her recovery. It is also time with someone who is objective, for her to be heard and understood, time to tell her story. It is important to find someone who the mother feels comfortable with and who has the type of skills needed to help her.

There are many different counselling approaches of varying usefulness to women with antenatal and postnatal depression. Some examples are cognitive behavioural therapy, emotion focused therapy, family therapy, solution focused therapy, brief therapy, interpersonal therapy and psychoanalysis. Regardless of the approach used there are some issues particularly relevant to women with antenatal and postnatal depression that are addressed in counselling.

There are different types of counsellors including psychologists, counsellors, social workers, family therapists, psychotherapists, some psychiatrists and general practitioners with counselling qualifications.