This case study concerns a couple assisted by the Bluebell PND counselling service in Glasgow.
Both mum and dad were struggling with parenthood. The mother had been diagnosed with postnatal depression and was on anti-depressants. The father was also severely depressed and on Prozac. They had two children aged 10 months and two years.
The mother felt “disconnected” from her children, particularly her 10 month old daughter. She felt like a “bad mother” and unable to cope and didn’t feel she would ever be able to go back to work, although financially this was necessary. In therapy she was able to explore the issues surrounding the traumatic birth of her daughter and her relationship with her own mother.
The father felt overwhelmed with his responsibilities and didn’t know how to be “a father”. In therapy he disclosed childhood sexual abuse and was able to discuss this with his wife for the first time.
A greater understanding of themselves and their relationship with each other and their children developed. Through the use of the crèche the counsellor was able to identify and work with attachment issues with the children.
At the end of the therapy the mother was back at work part-time and retraining for a new career. Both had come off medication and were feeling positive and optimistic about the future. The mother said “Thank you so much for all your support over the last year, it truly feels like you saved our lives.”
