NICU Postpartum Support Program

The NICU Postpartum Support Program is an integrated behavioral health program designed to support parents of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National Hospital. This means parents can receive their own confidential mental health and wellness support here at Children’s National, without having to leave your baby. Telehealth allows parents to receive services from behavioral health specialists by virtual visits.

Caregivers of NICU babies who are experiencing:
- Stress or difficulties adjusting to having a baby in the NICU
- Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)
- Postpartum depression and/or baby blues
- Post-traumatic stress challenges
- Other mental health symptoms that can affect their baby’s care, health and wellbeing
Confidential, evidence-based treatment services including:
- Psychological assessment to better understand parental stress and social-emotional wellbeing
- Individual psychotherapy to help cope with mood changes, anxiety and stress worries
- Dyadic (parent-infant) psychotherapy to support the parent-infant bonding
NICU support services are provided via telehealth. You can join a telehealth visit while visiting your baby in the NICU or from the comfort of your home.
If you need technology assistance in order to participate in telehealth visits, please reach out to your NICU social worker to learn more about our iPad Loaner Program.
To get connected to this support program, please reach out to your NICU social worker.

NICU Postpartum Support Program

Email

Eligibility

Types of Support

Meeting with a NICU Psychologist

Scheduling an Appointment