Allegheny Health Network’s West Penn Hospital
AHN Women’s Behavioral Health: Personalizing Plans for
Individual Experiences
At Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Women’s Behavioral
Health, the multidisciplinary team works to combat perinatal
depression, a serious medical condition that affects 22 percent
of pregnant and post-partum mothers.
weekly sessions with a psychologist or social worker and
receive varying types of talk therapies including CognitiveBehavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT),
and Behavioral Activation (BA).
“AHN Women’s Behavioral Health is offering much needed
services to women in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.
Our team of caring professionals creates a supportive, safe and
non-judgmental environment for the purpose of addressing
the significant mood issues women experience during the
perinatal period,” said David M. Rizzo, LCSW, Program
Manager, Women’s Behavioral Health. “Women often suffer
in silence due to the stigma attached to emotional illness.
Similar endeavors have shown we will not hear of these
struggles unless someone is asking the questions. Here at
AHN, we will be asking the questions.”
Allegheny Health network and the Alexis Joy Foundation
In 2015, the Alexis Joy Foundation awarded $100,000 to
Allegheny Health Network (AHN) to explore new ways
for women to get access and treatment for postpartum
depression. AHN is using these funds to develop an intensive
outpatient program for women suffering from depression,
anxiety, and mood disorders.
“Our professional vision fits well with the goals of the Alexis
Joy Foundation: to improve the screening process so we can
identify mothers with depression or mood disorders earlier.
We welcome mothers to bring their
babies, as well as other family members, to
appointments. We talk to families about
Risk Factors for Perinatal Depression
the broad-reaching impact of perinatal
• Previous episode(s) of perinatal depression
depression, including the potential
negative impact on moms’ ability to
• Personal or family history of depression or bipolar disorder
relate to their child. In sessions, we work
on ways to manage stress, build problem
• A recent stressful life event
solving and communication skills, and
improve mother-baby attachment,” said
• Inadequate social support
Sarah Homitsky, MD, Medical Director,
• Marital problems
Women’s Behavioral Health.
Perinatal refers to the period of time during and after
pregnancy where there are a lot of changes taking place
in a woman’s life and body. During this time, women are
particularly vulnerable to the development of depression.
All women are at risk of developing perinatal depression,
regardless of age, marital status, education or socioeconomic
status.
Clinicians at AHN Women’s Behavioral Health are trained in
several types of treatments and therapies that have been
shown to be effective in treating perinatal mood and anxiety
disorders. Patients of AHN Women’s Behavioral Health have
Patients receive personalized plans based
on individual experiences, stressing the importance of early
detection and emphasizing the need to watch for warning
signs of perinatal depression—not only by yourself, but by
your loved ones, family, and friends.
For an appointment at AHN Women’s Behavioral Health,
please call, 412.578.4030. If you believe that you or a
loved one is in immediate danger, call the National Suicide
Prevention Hotline 1.800.273.8255 or ReSolve Crisis
Network 1.888.796.8226.
West Penn Hospital • 4800 Friendship Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Contact us at AHn.org or call 412.DOCTORS (412.362.8677)