Find care
Someone who specialises in this
People who work with new mothers every day and will not be surprised by anything you say.
We don't list providers ourselves yet. We would rather send you to directories that are real and maintained than show you a search box backed by names we haven't verified. These are the ones worth your time.
Postpartum Support International
The largest directory of perinatal mental health specialists, plus free weekly support groups and a phone line that will help you search.
Search the PSI directoryOr call 1-800-944-4773 and a volunteer will help you find someone.
Postpartum Psychiatric Consultation
In the US, PSI runs a free line your own doctor or midwife can call for expert perinatal psychiatry advice about your care — often the fastest route when there is a waiting list. In Canada, the equivalent is a referral to a hospital perinatal mental health programme; ask your maternity team to make one.
See how the consult line worksYour clinician calls it, not you. Ask them to.
Your own maternity team
Your OB, midwife, GP or your baby's pediatrician can all start the referral, and they usually know who locally is good with this. The pediatrician route surprises people — they see you more often than anyone in the first year.
What to say to themYou do not need a diagnosis to ask for a referral.
If you're in Canada
The directories above are mostly American. These are Canadian, and 988 is answered here too — call or text, any time, anywhere in the country.
Life With A Baby — directory of providers
The national directory of Canadian perinatal mental health providers. It took over the listings from the Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative when that organisation closed.
Search the directoryFree to search, no referral, no account.
Pacific Post Partum Support Society
Phone and text support with someone trained in this, for anyone pregnant or parenting a child under three — or supporting someone who is. Based in BC, with a toll-free line.
How the support line works1-855-255-7999 toll-free, or text 604-255-7999. Phone Mon–Fri 10am–3pm PT; text Mon–Fri 10:30am–2:30pm PT.
Province-by-province list
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada keeps a list of perinatal mental health services for every province and territory — the fastest way to find what exists where you actually live.
Find your provincePublished by the national body for obstetricians, so the list is maintained.
PSI Canada
PSI supports Canadian parents too. You fill in one form and a trained volunteer calls or texts you back with resources and referrals near you.
Ask PSI Canada to call youThey reply within one to two business days. If tonight cannot wait, 988 is answered right now, across Canada.
Who does what
The titles are confusing and nobody explains them. Briefly:
- Perinatal therapist or counsellor
- Talking therapy with someone trained in pregnancy and postpartum. In the US, PMH-C after a name means certified in perinatal mental health. There is no Canadian equivalent of that letter, so in Canada ask directly what perinatal training someone has — the question is normal and a good clinician will answer it plainly.
- Reproductive psychiatrist
- A doctor who prescribes, with specific expertise in medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The right person for the “can I take anything?” question.
- Postpartum doula
- Practical, in-home support — the baby, the house, the sleep. Not mental health treatment, but genuinely protective against getting worse.
- Peer support
- Free, immediate, and evidenced. PSI runs online groups you can join this week without a referral or a waiting list.
Words you can borrow
The hardest part is usually starting the sentence. Say any of these to your OB, midwife, GP, or your baby's pediatrician.
- “I'd like a referral to someone who specialises in perinatal mental health.”
- “I filled out an Edinburgh scale at home. I'd like to talk about it.”
- “Do you know anyone locally who works specifically with new mothers?”
- “How long is the wait, and what should I do in the meantime?”
- “Is there a consultation line my practice can call about my care?”
If you are dismissed — told this is normal and sent away while you are still frightened — that is a reason to ask someone else, not a verdict. Bring a written note, bring your partner, or bring the score from the reflection. Persistence is not being difficult.
If you can't find anyone near you
Rural areas, long waiting lists and cost are all real, on both sides of the border. Two things genuinely help: PSI's free online groups start this week and need no referral, and video appointments mean the nearest perinatal therapist is often a province or a state away rather than a drive away.