Treating the symptoms of Post Natal Depression with conventional anti-depressants can make you feel better quickly and enable you to deal with everyday life. But being able to function normally is only part of the healing process. You may well find that even though you are getting on with everyday life, you still have a great desire to talk about what has happened to you, to understand why it happened and to seek reassurance. Post Natal Depression is emotionally exhausting and you need to take care of your emotional self.

Therapy, in the form of cognitive behavioural therapy, hypnotherapy and psychotherapy can double the rate of recovery from Post Natal Depression. Ask your doctor for a referral and if that is not possible consider finding a therapist yourself if possible.

Therapies which can help enormously are listed below:

Hypnotherapy
The benefits of this form of therapy can be extremely powerful. Using hypnotherapy your therapist can help you to let go of past emotions which may be affecting your present life as well as helping you to think differently about areas of your life which may be troubling you. To find a registered therapist near you contact The National Register of Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists here.

Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy
The concept behind Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is that what people think affects how they feel emotionally and also alters what they do. A therapist will work with you to identify and then change any extreme thinking and unhelpful behaviour. By doing this, the result is a significant improvement in how the person feels and lives their day to day life. To find a registered therapist in your area visit the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies here

Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral healing is a gentle but powerful form of therapy which works by helping the body to repair itself. Emotional tension can be released and you may experience spontaneous crying as with Reiki during a treatment. Often a state of deep relaxation is achieved. To find a practitioner near you visit the Craniosacral Therapy Association of the UK here.

Reiki Healing
This form of healing can have very powerful results if you are suffering from Post Natal Depression. Reiki promotes deep relaxation during which universal healing energy is transmitted to you through the Reiki Practitioner. The effects can be quite profound and may include spontanous crying as you release some of the emotion that has been pent up inside you. You may also experience sensations of heat as the healing energy soaks into you. Following a treatment you are likely to experience a feeling of increased well being and relaxation. To find a local practitioner go to the UK Reiki Federation website here.

Crystal Healing
Crystals are subtle energy forms which can have a tremendously therapeutic effect on women suffering from Post Natal Depression. Rose Quartz is an especially powerful healer which, when worn continuously or placed under your pillow at night will ease the symptoms of insomnia and promote self acceptance and love. You will also benefit from receiving Crystal Therapy from a qualified Crystal Healer who will be able to target the specific symptoms of your illness and help to bring you back into equilibrium. To find a qualified Crystal Healer visit the Affiliation of Crystal Healing Organisations website here

Massage (Aromatherapy and Swedish)
The benefits of massage are well known and can be especially beneficial when recovering from Post Natal Depression. Massage will relax you, give you some valuable time to yourself and help you to manage your stress levels, If you don't feel like going out during your illness it can be extremely beneficial to have someone come to your house to give you a massage. To find a qualified aromatherapist in your area visit the Aromatherapy Consortium here.

Bach Flower Remedies
The Bach Flower Remedies can be very useful as an aid to help you cope with the distressing symptoms of Post Natal Depression. For example the essences can be used to help ease unwanted and/or obsessive thoughts or to help you to grieve for your past, pre-baby life. Bach Rescue Remedy is a particularly excellent tool to have available for use during panic attacks, heart palpitations and if you are uncertain or suffering a lack of confidence about a particular situation.

To find a registered practitioner in your area visit The Bach Foundation International Register here

Reflexology
This gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself by using reflex areas on the hands and feet to stimulate healing within other related zones of the body and its organs. To find a reflexologist in your area visit the Association of Reflexologists Website here.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
This form of psychotherapy helps us to get rid of destructive ways of thinking by changing thinking patterns. It does not focus very much on the past - more on the present and future. To find a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in your area visit The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)here.

Light Therapy
You may also like to try light therapy which can help to lift your mood, particularly if you are not getting much exposure to daylight as this can contribute to seasonal depression or SAD.