Group cognitive-behavioural therapy for perinatal anxiety disorders: Treatment development, content, and pilot results

Abstract

• Details of the development and content of a new CBT protocol for perinatal anxiety • Applicable across various anxiety disorders • Perinatal women benefitted significantly from this brief group program • Perinatal women were highly satisfied with this brief CBT intervention Background: Anxiety disorders are common during the perinatal period (pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum) and may have a negative impact on maternal, fetal, and infant health. Minimal research is available regarding perinatal anxiety treatment. Methods: The present pilot study examined the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of a 6-session cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) group program for perinatal anxiety (n = 40). Results: Results showed participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety and depression from pre- to post-treatment. Patients reported high ratings of treatment acceptability, relevance, and helpfulness. All treatment completers indicated that they would recommend this group program to other perinatal women and 94% of participants indicated that they would do the group again in the future should they have further difficulties with perinatal anxiety. Themes from open-ended questions about client impressions of this treatment included appreciation of the perinatal-specific treatment targets as well as the destigmatizing effect of being with others facing similar challenges. Limitations: This is a pilot study without a comparison condition or randomization. This study does not examine the impact of treatment on fetal/infant development. We are also unable to comment on whether pregnant participants were less likely to develop postpartum issues as a result of this intervention. Conclusions: This study is among the first to demonstrate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of group CBT for women who are pregnant or postpartum and experiencing a range of anxiety-related disorders.