Perinatal Day Program - FAQs

• Group therapy
• Medication management
• Partner and family meetings, if indicated

• An initial 90-minute intake with a reproductive psychiatrist to discuss clinical symptoms and treatment options. Additionally, an individual session with your reproductive therapist to develop treatment goals.
• Group therapy on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:15am-2:00pm for a period of 8 weeks based, tailored to individual needs.
• Weekly meetings with your perinatal therapist or reproductive psychiatrist for medication monitoring
• New babies are welcome to join until they turn one or become mobile. We have a dedicated parent-baby room that can be used throughout program time.
• Partner and/or family sessions are available, if needed.
• Referrals to individual lactation, nutrition, infant massage, and/or doula consultations are available by request.
• Upon completion of the IOP, each client is provided with an individualized aftercare plan that may include weekly outpatient therapy and medication management in the community.

General themes include mindfulness, attachment, interpersonal relationships, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, infant care and perinatal health, and stress management. We provide specialty groups including doulas/midwives, lactation, nutrition, yoga, reiki, Pilates/pelvic floor therapy and expressive therapy. Some specific groups include but are not limited to:

• Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders 101
• Maternal identity and role transitions
• Pregnancy and postpartum education
• Mother/birthing parent and baby bonding 
• Baby cues and play
• Infant massage
• Sexual health, intimacy & partner psychoeducation
• Mind-body connection
• Coping skills 
• Self-compassion 

We have created a comprehensive curriculum to address the wide range of mental health symptoms mothers & birthing parents’ experience using trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies including:

• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Mentalization based therapy (MBT) 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Dyadic developmental therapy (DDP)
• Family Therapy

We currently have a group size of 6-10 clients who are either pregnant or postpartum.

Most of our clients choose to take time off from work to get maximum benefit from the perinatal day program. We help all mothers and birthing parents with the FMLA process for a time limited leave of absence or if preferred and clinically indicated, reduced work hours to accommodate time for treatment. 

We do ask that all clients who wish to participate in our program commit to the program days and hours for about 8 weeks. We will discuss your specific estimated length of treatment during your intake based on your symptoms and needs. We understand life can be unpredictable! If you have doctors' appointments, illness, or sudden childcare issues, you can let your team know and we will work with you!

• Clients and babies arrive around 10:00-10:15am and settle into our group room.
• The first psychotherapy group is usually focused on checking in with each client about their progress, goals, and any issues they’d like to explore within the group.
• The second and third groups have focused topics, skills, and relaxation-based exercises that clients engage in.
• There are two 15 minute breaks between groups, and one 30 minute break for lunch at 12:30pm. Each group is about 60 minutes in length.
• Throughout groups and during breaks, clients may tend to their babies’ needs. The group room and adjoining parent-baby room is designed for this purpose.
• Clients may meet with their clinician and/or reproductive psychiatrist during group or break time as needed.
• The day ends by 2:00pm.

We encourage you to bring your new baby to treatment! Their care and presence is part of the healing process. We have specific groups targeted at bonding and attachment, baby cues, and infant massage that are more meaningful with your baby in group. You will find babies are often present at the Perinatal Day Program, whether sleeping in a bouncer, breastfeeding in the nursing chairs, or doing tummy time all while attending groups.  

Many of our clients do have older children, over the age of 1. Although we are not able to have older children at the program, we will help in making sure you can attend the program while you navigate childcare for your other children. 

We have a dedicated perinatal group room which includes maternity gliders for use during group time. Clients can breastfeed, pump, formula feed, or provide solids to babies as needed while attending group. We also have a parent room with gliders for privacy if needed for breastfeeding, pumping, or resting, and an option for refrigeration of breastmilk. The group room has additional infant furniture including bouncers, swings, pack n’ plays so that babies may join clients in sessions. Finally, we have a baby space that provides cribs, bassinets, changing table, books, toys, and playmats for parent and baby bonding. 

Please provide all things you would pack for a normal day out with your baby. We recommend clients bring items related to baby feeding (i.e. pumps with parts and accessories, bottles, formula, solids, utensils), changing (diapers, wipes, cream), personal baby comfort items, and lunch. We do have extra supplies if needed. We do provide a 30 minute break during program time for lunch. There is a cafeteria on campus that is open between 11:00am-2:00pm.

Yes, we encourage patients to continue their individual therapy on non-program days. Clients will have the option to either continue with their individual psychiatrist or be seen by the program’s reproductive psychiatrist. Regardless, all new patients will be evaluated on their first day and last day by the program’s reproductive psychiatrist. 

We have a family resource center and a Food4Health program on the Institute of Living campus that supports all of our programs. We do encourage clients to arrange their own transportation but can provide assistance if clients qualify.

The Institute of Living is a participating provider with most insurance, managed care, and workers’ compensation plans.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) “entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. (Department of Labor)” Further, On June 25, 2019, the State of Connecticut passed legislation to create a comprehensive paid family and medical leave insurance program through the signing of the Connecticut Public Act (CT Paid Leave Authority). The Perinatal Day Program offers treatment for serious health conditions covered under FMLA and the CT Paid Leave Authority.  

The Perinatal Day Program is located at the Buckingham Building on the Institute of Living campus at 200 Retreat Ave, Hartford, CT. Get Directions >>