Perinatal Mental Health Clinic
Our perinatal mental health clinic specializes in compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals navigating the emotional challenges of preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, infertility, and pregnancy loss. We provide psychotherapy for a wide range of concerns, including perinatal depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, trauma (including birth trauma and pregnancy loss), and identity and adjustment difficulties related to motherhood.
As clinical psychologists at the forefront of research on perinatal depression and anxiety, we bring both scientific expertise and clinical warmth to our work. This dual expertise allows us to offer therapy that is not only deeply empathic but also grounded in the most up-to-date evidence guiding effective treatment.
Our evidence-based approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and trauma-informed care. In therapy, we strive to balance validation and compassion with an active, skills-based approach that helps you achieve real and lasting symptom change.
In addition to individual psychotherapy, we are developing a Perinatal DBT group for those interested in learning emotion regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness skills in a supportive, structured setting.
In addition to our in-person and telehealth services in Illinois, we can offer telehealth services for PMDD and PME in over 40 states.
Dr. Elizabeth Mulligan is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in perinatal disorders as well as PMDD, mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, trauma, and personality disorders. Her clinical work is grounded in empirically supported approaches for perinatal disorders, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), prolonged exposure (PE), and cognitive processing therapy (CPT).
Dr. Mulligan has published multiple peer-reviewed studies on perinatal mental health and previously co-led a large-scale NIH-funded study investigating risk and resilience factors for perinatal depression. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Illinois-Chicago specializing in reproductive mental health.
Dr. Jaclyn Ross is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in clinical assessment and treatment of perinatal populations, as well as PMDD/PME, mood, anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders. Dr. Ross has received intensive training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-focused CBT, and flexibly applies these interventions to meet the needs of perinatal clients.
Dr. Ross is also the associate director of the CLEAR Laboratory at University of Illinois Chicago, investigating how ovarian hormones influence suicidal thoughts and behaviors, while also providing training to other clinicians.
Services
We offer a comprehensive list of services related to the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing management of care for perinatal mental health concerns. Patients can select the services that are most useful for them.
We do not accept insurance at this time.
We can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance provider, who may reimburse you for part or all of the session fee. Even if your insurance company does not offer out-of-network benefits, you may still ask them if they do Single-Case Agreements (SCA). SCAs are used when an in-network provider is not available for your presenting problem, either because no one specializes in the disorder/treatment or if all in-network providers with that specialty are full and/or have a long waitlist. If your insurance company approves an SCA, you will still need to pay for sessions up-front, but may reimbursed by your insurance company.
Individual Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Provides practical tools to manage the worries, self-doubt, and mood changes that can arise during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, miscarriage, and infertility. This approach helps you recognize and shift unhelpful thinking patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and re-engage in activities that bring purpose and joy. CBT is a well-established, evidence-based treatment shown to effectively reduce symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Focuses on improving mood and functioning by addressing relationship patterns, role transitions, and changes in social support that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This approach helps you to strengthen communication skills, navigate identity shifts in motherhood, and resolve interpersonal difficulties that contribute to depression and anxiety. IPT is an evidence-based treatment shown to be highly effective for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Supports you in managing intense emotions and improving relationships during the major transitions of pregnancy and postpartum life. This approach teaches skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication—helping new and expecting parents navigate stress, conflict, and changing roles with greater balance and self-compassion. When indicated, full-model DBT is available and includes individual therapy, group skills training, and between-session coaching.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps you navigate the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy and early parenthood by fostering greater flexibility, self-compassion, and connection to personal values. This approach emphasizes mindfulness and acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings, while encouraging purposeful action aligned with what matters most, thereby promoting a deeper sense of fulfillment and meaning throughout the perinatal journey.
Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy
These are evidence-based treatments for trauma that help you heal from distressing experiences related to pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. These approaches support the processing of painful memories, reduce avoidance of reminders, and challenge unhelpful beliefs that maintain guilt, shame, or fear—allowing for recovery, empowerment, and renewed engagement in life and relationships.
Group Therapy
Perinatal DBT Skills Group
DBT skills are especially helpful for individuals who experience intense emotions, interpersonal conflict, or difficulty coping with the demands of pregnancy and early parenthood. The skills are taught across four core modules: 1) Emotion Regulation, 2) Mindfulness, 3) Distress Tolerance, and 4) Interpersonal Effectiveness. The group session is 90 minutes long and takes place weekly. Group participation typically lasts 6 months to 2 years.