Dr Yumna Dhansay
Child and Family Psychiatrist,
Perinatal Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatrist and Forensic Psychiatrist
Mental Health
for Women
Supporting the mental health of women of all ages and in all stages of life.
About Dr Dhansay
Dr Dhansay provides psychiatric care to women experiencing mental health difficulties in the pre-conception, perinatal (antenatal and postnatal) and perimenopausal phases and beyond. With a background in child, adolescent and family psychiatry, she is also able to provide input and support around the parent-infant relationship.
Dr Dhansay provides comprehensive clinical assessments and individually-tailored management care plans which may include a number of treatment modalities such as psychological therapy, lifestyle management, social support and medication.
Dr Dhansay has a particular interest in women experiencing mental health difficulties as a result of infertility or its treatment, and pregnancy and infant loss.
Practice Areas
Mental health care is provided for women and/or their partners in the following contexts:
01
Infertility, childlessness & assisted reproduction
Holistic and compassionate psychiatric care for those struggling with infertility or childlessness for any reason.
Infertility and its treatment, often referred to as "assisted reproduction" or "assisted conception" (including ovulation induction, IUI, IVF, ICSI, egg/sperm donation and surrogacy) may lead to a number of mental health difficulties such as depression and/or anxiety, or may exacerbate symptoms in those who already have conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or psychosis.
04
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Mental health support and treatment for women who have experienced pregnancy loss (including miscarriage, stillbirth or unsuccessful infertility treatment) or loss of an infant.
For a list of community supports and resources please click here
02
Perinatal mental health - antenatal care
Provision of psychiatric care to women with pre-existing mental health conditions who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, as well as diagnosis and treatment of women who develop mental health problems for the first time during pregnancy.
In patients considering or requiring medication, decisions are made together with the patient and her partner, taking into account the latest evidence-based guidelines and weighing up the risks and benefits to both mum and baby. Collaboration with the treating obstetrician and/or midwife ensures a pregnancy and birth that takes into account the patient's mental health needs.
Picture purchased from Etsy and used with kind permission of seller
05
Perimenopause and Menopause
Women in the perimenopausal period have an increased risk of developing symptoms such as insomnia, low mood and anxiety for the first time, or of experiencing a relapse of symptoms they may have experienced many years earlier. Comprehensive assessments and holistic treatment plans are offered, taking into account biological and psychosocial factors and regular liaison with the patient's gynaecologist and/or GP is undertaken.
Picture from Was-Sa Gallery, by Sayk Sinclaire
03
Perinatal mental health - postnatal care
Management of mental health difficulties during the postnatal period and beyond.
These include navigating the adjustment to parenthood, treatment of conditions such as postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD (eg. following birth trauma) and postpartum psychosis using a holistic approach. Advice regarding the use of medication whilst breastfeeding is also provided.
As a child and family psychiatrist, Dr Dhansay is also able to provide input around the parent-infant relationship and support parents to strengthen the attachment between them and their babies.
Picture by Gustav Klimt
06
Mental Health Care for Partners
Mental health support and treatment for individuals (male/female/other) whose partners have struggled with infertility, pregnancy or infant loss, or whose partners have required treatment for mental health conditions arising in the perinatal or the perimenopausal/menopausal periods.