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Parent-Infant Mental Health Service (PIMHS)

The Parent-Infant Mental Health Service, known as PIMHS, works with parents expecting a baby and with babies up to the age of one year. We are a small team of specialist health visitors, child psychotherapists and perinatal therapists.

We build on the strengths of parents while recognising the challenges they face in developing a positive relationship with their infant. We support parents when they struggle to relate to or have any positive feelings about their babies.

We help parents who may have difficult feelings during pregnancy and in the weeks after the baby has been born.

How we can help you

If you are expecting a baby or have a baby less than a year old and are finding it difficult to develop a positive relationship with your baby, the PIMHS team may be able to help.

We provide a safe space for you to think about the relationship you have with your baby. We may encourage you to play with and talk to your baby. Sometimes it’s helpful to try to think about how your baby is feeling and what your baby might be trying to tell you through his/ her sounds and body movements. Filming the positive parts of these sessions for you to watch later can be helpful.

What people using PIMHS have said about our service

“This has helped me to know how to be with my baby.'
“I really enjoyed having a ‘safe’ place to talk about things and hearing other people’s issues and feeling I am not the only one.”
“Thank you so much, you have truly helped me to grow my bond with my baby, I couldn’t have done it without this help. Everything seems to back on track again. Thank you.”

Babies and their parent (s) can be referred by professionals already involved in their care.

Referrals are made via the One Stop Referral Service.

The three ways to refer are:

1. Through the Children and Family Health Surrey One Stop online portal https://childrensreferrals.sabp.nhs.uk

2. Call the Children and Family Health Surrey One Stop on 0300 222 5755. Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. 

3. Write to Children and Family Health Surrey One Stop, c/o Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, 1st Floor, Dominion House, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4PU.

For more information about the Children and Family Health Surrey One Stop service, visit https://childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/services/...