Special issue of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy:

Improving perinatal mental health – advances in cognitive-behavioural theory and practice

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Guest editors: Fiona Challacombe, Nichole Fairbrother & Cathy Green

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Overview:

About twenty percent of women and birthing parents of other genders will experience a clinical level of mental health difficulties across the range of severity during pregnancy and the postpartum years, with high prevalence of difficulties in partners. Maternal suicide remains a leading cause of maternal mortality. Perinatal mental health is particularly important, both as an outcome in itself and to mitigate the risk of intergenerational difficulties. The perinatal context requires consideration of additional biological, psychological and sociological factors, in order to better identify and treat problems. While cognitive-behavioural approaches are a first line treatment for many common perinatal disorders, recent national guidance highlights the need for the development and refinement of theoretical models and interventions. This special issue aims to highlight research in the theory and practice of cognitive and behaviour therapy as applied to the perinatal period.

Aims: To present a special issue of the journal presenting the latest research in understanding and treating perinatal mental health difficulties. We aim to understand:

• the key psychological mechanisms maintaining disorders in this context
• the psychological factors that influence the impact on bonding and parenting in this context
• the key issues which should be addressed to improve outcomes for clients with perinatal mental health difficulties
• gaps in the literature which should be pursued in future clinical research endeavours

To achieve these aims, this issue could include papers on the following topics:

• Empirical papers examining psychological mechanisms identified as relevant to perinatal mental health difficulties
• Reviews of theoretical work with clear applications e.g. maintenance factors or mechanisms of change
• Studies which investigate current and novel psychological interventions for Perinatal mental health difficulties
• Empirically grounded papers describing practice implications – what is available to implement, what is lacking and what needs to be developed.
• Systematic literature reviews or meta-analyses related to perinatal mental health difficulties
• Social, cultural and/or environmental factors identified as relevant in perinatal mental health difficulties.
• The application of cognitive and behavioural theories in formulating the intersection of perinatal psychological difficulties and social factors

If you have any queries about this Special Issue, then please email us at journal.office@babcp.com.

Please see the journal homepage for the article types published in BCP and the full Author Instructions: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-and-cognitive-psychotherapy

Closing date for submissions: 30^th June 2026

All submissions must be through the submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/babcp

Please contact the Journal Office if you have any further questions: journal.office@babcp.com