Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
MD, MMed(Psych), FRANZCP, Adv Cert Child Adol Psych
AHPRA: MED0001931439
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Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal Mental Health Care in Australia
Specialist psychiatric assessment for women across pregnancy and the postpartum year. Antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD, and birth-related PTSD via secure telehealth across Australia.
Telehealth Australia-Wide
RANZCP Specialists
Medicare Rebates Available
What is Perinatal Mental Health?
Perinatal mental health refers to the mental health of women during pregnancy (the antenatal period) and the first year after birth (the postnatal period). It is a clinical subspecialty because the demands of this stage, the physiological changes of pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the implications for medication choice all create a context that differs from general adult psychiatry.
Perinatal mental health conditions are common. Up to 1 in 6 Australian mothers experience depression in the perinatal period, and rates of anxiety are similar. Less commonly, perinatal OCD, post-traumatic stress after a difficult birth, and very rarely postpartum psychosis can occur. All are treatable when correctly identified, and many are missed because women hesitate to disclose distressing thoughts about their baby.
Mental health concerns in this period are not a reflection of being a bad parent or a sign of failure to cope. They are recognised medical conditions with biological, psychological, and social contributors, and access to specialist care during pregnancy and the postpartum period meaningfully improves outcomes for both parent and infant.
Common Perinatal Mental Health Concerns
Common ways Perinatal Mental Health can present
Postnatal Depression
Persistent low mood, tearfulness, exhaustion that does not lift with rest, difficulty bonding with the baby, intrusive thoughts of inadequacy, or in severe cases thoughts of self-harm. Distinct from baby blues, which resolve within 2 weeks of birth.
Antenatal Depression
Depression during pregnancy, often missed because symptoms are attributed to pregnancy itself. Affects future maternal and infant outcomes when untreated and is highly responsive to treatment that is safe for pregnancy.
Perinatal Anxiety
Excessive worry about the baby's health, sleep, feeding, or safety. Repeated checking, reassurance seeking, or avoidance of activities involving the baby. Often paired with poor sleep beyond what is expected of new parenthood.
Perinatal OCD
Intrusive, often horrifying thoughts of accidental harm to the baby, paired with compulsive checking, washing, or hyper-vigilant caregiving. Affects up to 1 in 10 new mothers. Distressing precisely because the thoughts are so out of character — not predictive of action.
Birth Trauma & PTSD
Post-traumatic stress symptoms following a difficult birth — intrusive memories, avoidance of medical settings, hypervigilance about future pregnancies. Often missed because symptoms are dismissed as understandable reactions rather than treatable conditions.
Postpartum Psychosis
A rare (1-2 per 1000 births) but serious condition involving rapid onset of confusion, hallucinations, delusions, or severe mood changes within days of birth. Always a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate care — please call 000 or attend an emergency department.
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ADHD · Autism · Anxiety · Depression · PTSD
Take a Free ScreeningHow Perinatal Mental Health Is Treated
Treatment is shaped by the realities of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Psychological therapy — particularly CBT, IPT, and parent-infant attachment-focused work — is often the first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate perinatal depression and anxiety. Therapy can begin immediately and continue throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Medication is added when symptoms are moderate-to-severe, or when the risks of untreated illness outweigh the risks of treatment. Several SSRIs have well-established safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The decision is never about avoiding medication at all costs; it is about weighing the genuine risks of untreated maternal mental illness against the well-characterised risks of specific medications, with the woman making an informed choice.
Care during the perinatal period often involves coordination with the woman's obstetrician, midwife, GP, child and family health nurse, and partner. Treatment of perinatal mental illness is one of the highest-impact interventions available because it shapes the early relationship between parent and baby, and outcomes for both.
Our Specialist Psychiatrists
Experienced clinicians providing assessment and treatment for Perinatal Mental Health
How to Get Started
Simple steps to access specialist care
1
Free Screening
Complete our free, validated screening tools for some initial answers.
2
Get a Referral
Request a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your GP.
3
Book Online
Choose a convenient time for your telehealth consultation.
4
Assessment
Meet with your psychiatrist via secure video from home.
How Lionheart Approaches Perinatal Care
Dr Joanna Blades is a Child, Adolescent, and Perinatal Psychiatrist who provides specialist care for women across pregnancy and the postpartum period. She works with women from pre-conception planning through to the first year after birth, with a warm, collaborative, evidence-based approach.
Telehealth is well-suited to perinatal care. Travelling to a clinic with a newborn, or with significant pregnancy fatigue, is a real barrier to engagement. Care from home reduces that barrier, allows partners to join when helpful, and means appointments fit around feeds and naps.
We work alongside obstetricians, midwives, GPs, child and family health nurses, and partner-organisations such as PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia, 1300 726 306). For postpartum psychosis or any acute crisis, please call 000 or attend an emergency department immediately. Lionheart provides non-acute psychiatric assessment and ongoing care.
Related Free Screening Tools
Validated screening tools you can complete anonymously and share with any clinician.
PHQ-9 Depression Screening (Adult)
Validated depression screener used in perinatal care alongside the EPDS.
18+ years
GAD-7 Anxiety Screening
Useful screen for perinatal anxiety, alongside clinical assessment.
8+ years
PCL-5 PTSD Screening
For women experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms after a difficult birth.
18+ years
Related Conditions
Conditions that often co-occur with Perinatal Mental Health or share overlapping presentations.
Depression
Depression assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and perinatal women. Specialist psychiatric care via telehealth across Australia.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Includes generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and school refusal. Telehealth across Australia.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours. Specialist assessment, diagnosis, and treatment via telehealth across Australia.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD assessment and trauma-informed treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Specialist psychiatric care via telehealth across Australia. Coordination with trauma-trained psychologists for evidence-based therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Perinatal Mental Health
Baby blues affect up to 80% of new mothers in the first 2 weeks after birth and resolve on their own. Postnatal depression involves persistent low mood, anxiety, exhaustion, or difficulty bonding that lasts more than 2 weeks and interferes with caring for yourself or your baby. If you are unsure, it is worth an assessment — early treatment makes a significant difference.
Several SSRIs have well-established safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The decision is individualised — we weigh the genuine risks of untreated maternal mental illness against the well-characterised risks of a specific medication, and you make an informed choice with a clear understanding of both. Untreated severe depression in pregnancy is itself a significant risk to both mother and baby.
Intrusive thoughts of accidental harm to your baby are a recognised feature of perinatal anxiety and perinatal OCD. They affect up to 1 in 10 new mothers and are not predictive of action — the distress comes precisely because the thoughts are so out of character. You are not dangerous, you are unwell. This is highly treatable when correctly identified, and worth speaking about openly with a perinatal psychiatrist.
Postpartum psychosis (rapid-onset confusion, hallucinations, delusions, or severe mood changes in the first weeks after birth) is always a psychiatric emergency — please call 000 or attend an emergency department immediately. Active suicidal thoughts, severe self-neglect, or being unable to care for the baby also require emergency assessment. Lionheart provides non-acute psychiatric care; for crisis support call Lifeline 13 11 14 or PANDA 1300 726 306.
Yes, where you would like them to. Partners are often closely involved in perinatal mental health care, can provide useful collateral information, and benefit from understanding the treatment plan. Telehealth makes this easy — partners can join from work or wherever is convenient. You decide what is shared and when.
Yes. Pre-conception psychiatric care is valuable for women with a history of mental illness who are planning pregnancy, or who are managing significant stress related to fertility treatment. Reviewing medication, optimising mental health before conception, and planning postpartum support all improve outcomes.
For Healthcare Professionals
For GPs: Fast, Collaborative Referral Process
We partner with GPs and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive psychiatric assessments and ongoing collaborative care for your young patients.
Fast Turnaround
Referral acknowledged within 24 hours, comprehensive report provided after assessment
Comprehensive Reports
Detailed assessment findings, diagnostic formulation, and management recommendations
Collaborative Care
We work closely with you, schools, and allied health professionals
How to Refer
- 1Complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan for your patient
- 2Write a referral letter with relevant history
- 3Patient books online or via our referral form
- 4We send you a detailed report after assessment
Questions about referring? Contact us at hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Why Choose Telehealth from Australia?
Access specialist psychiatric care without leaving home
Family-Centered Care
Collaborative approach involving parents and carers throughout the journey, with clear communication and support every step
RANZCP Specialists
All psychiatrists are Fellows of RANZCP with specialist training in child & adolescent mental health
No Travel Required
Secure video consultations from home, reducing stress for children and saving family time
Shorter Wait Times
Access specialist care sooner with telehealth appointments across all Australian states and territories
Investment in Your Care
Clear pricing for initial psychiatric assessment
Initial Psychiatric Assessment
A comprehensive 1.5 hour clinical consultation including:
- Detailed clinical interview (1.5 hours total)
- Review of school reports, prior assessments, and relevant documentation
- Comprehensive diagnostic formulation
- Detailed written report for your GP with findings and recommendations
Medicare Rebates Available
With a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Please check with Medicare for current rebate amounts.
Follow-up Consultations
If ongoing care is recommended, follow-up appointments are available at standard private psychiatry rates.
For current fees, please or reach out to us directly.
Ready to get started?
To book an appointment, ask your GP for a referral to Lionheart Clinic. Referrals are valid for 12 months and Medicare rebates apply. We also accept private bookings and NDIS participants.
Call Us
(02) 8552 7393Email Us
hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Important: We Are NOT an Acute Crisis Service
Lionheart Clinic provides non-acute psychiatric assessment and ongoing care. If you, your child, or a young person you care for are experiencing any of the following, please seek immediate help:
•Active suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviours
•Acute psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, severely disorganised thinking)
•Severe eating disorders requiring medical stabilisation
•Substance intoxication or withdrawal requiring medical management
•Acute mania or severe mood instability posing safety risks
•Any situation where immediate safety is a concern
Need immediate help?
Emergency Services: 000
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636