Dr. Joanna Cheek, a psychiatrist with a special interest in mindfulness and psychotherapy often works with expecting and postpartum parents, in what is called the peripartum period, in addition to working with people struggling with trauma and complicated mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and an Associate Assistant Professor with the Island Medical Program at the University of British Columbia. She is particularly interested in making psychotherapy and mindfulness more accessible and she has co-created mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy programs, in addition to a post-partum mindfulness program here in Victoria, BC, where she lives with her own family, with a three and five year old at home.
She notes that postpartum depression has been in the public spotlight and would like to also raise awareness about anxiety in expecting and new parents, a topic that hasn’t yet received the same amount of attention.
This is the focus of her interview with KIDCARECANADA's founder, Estelle Paget as part of the "Conversations with KIDCARECANADA" talk show series.
Note that a full outline of the show is available here:
Anxiety in New Parents—the silent epidemic – Interview with Dr. Joanna Cheek