Counseling Clients With Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Feminist-Trauma Approach

Abstract

Prevalence rates, risk factors, and impact of untreated postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are well documented. Despite evidence suggesting that up to one third of women experience childbirth as traumatic, treatment recommendations remain scant. Given the call for a feminist approach to trauma and postpartum depression, we highlight a feminist-trauma approach to counseling clients with symptoms of postpartum PTSD, based on anti-oppressive feminist-trauma frameworks. A case study conceptualization of a woman experiencing traumatic stress following childbirth is presented to highlight supporting research, rationale, and ethical considerations.