A Therapist’s Perspective on the Lindsay Clancy Case: PostPartum Mental Health, Collective Care, and the Limits of Therapy
What the Lindsay Clancy case can teach us about postpartum mental health, therapy, collective care, and the need for a more connected mental health system.
The Lindsay Clancy case is difficult to talk about.
Three children died. A mother survived a suicide attempt with life-altering injuries. A family was devastated. And years later, the case continues to raise difficult questions about mental illness, postpartum mental health, psychiatric care, individual responsibility, and the healthcare system.
As a therapist, I have found myself thinking less about trying to determine exactly what happened in this particular case and more about the larger questions it raises:
“What if the question isn’t only, ‘Why didn’t she get help?’ but ‘What did the system around her do, or fail to do, with the help she needed?’”
What happens when we treat mental health as an individual problem rather than something that requires individual, relational, and collective care?
I want to be clear that I am not Lindsay Clancy's therapist, have never assessed her, and cannot offer a clinical opinion about her mental state. Her case has involved competing accounts regarding her mental health and treatment, and the legal proceedings are separate from the clinical discussion in this article.
Instead, I want to use the broader conversation surrounding this case as an opportunity to talk about something I believe is incredibly important:
Postpartum mental health cannot be addressed by one person, one therapist, or one treatment modality alone.
Postpartum Mental Health Is More Than Postpartum Depression
When we talk about postpartum mental health, postpartum depression is often the first thing that comes to mind.
And postpartum depression is incredibly important to recognize and treat.
But perinatal and postpartum mental health concerns extend far beyond depression.
They can include:
Postpartum depression
Postpartum anxiety
Perinatal OCD
Birth trauma and PTSD
Bipolar-spectrum disorders
Severe mood disturbances
Intrusive thoughts
Postpartum psychosis
Suicidal thoughts
Significant changes in behaviour, sleep, perception, or functioning
Postpartum psychosis is particularly important because it is a psychiatric emergency. It can involve hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, confusion, disorganization, and significant changes in behaviour.
It is rare, but it is serious.
And this is one of the reasons postpartum mental health education matters.
People need to know what to watch for. Partners and families need to know what changes may warrant concern. And healthcare professionals need clear pathways for assessment, communication, and escalation when someone's mental health is deteriorating.
The Postpartum Period Can Be an Extremely Vulnerable Time
Having a baby can be joyful, meaningful, and deeply wanted, and still be psychologically overwhelming. (Two things can be true!)
The postpartum period can involve:
Major hormonal changes
Sleep deprivation
Physical recovery
Changes in identity
Increased responsibility
Relationship changes
Loss of independence
Financial stress
Feeding challenges
Birth trauma
Previous trauma being activated
Social isolation
Existing mental health conditions becoming more difficult to manage
And yet, new parents are often expected to simply "adjust." We tell people to sleep when the baby sleeps. We tell them to practice self-care. We tell them to ask for help.
But sometimes the level of support required is much greater than an occasional meal delivery or a reminder to take a bath.
Sometimes someone needs a coordinated mental health team.
Mental healthcare works best when we understand how they fit together.
Individual Responsibility vs. Collective Care
This is where I think our conversations about mental health often become too simplistic.
We tend to swing between two extremes.
One says: "Your mental health is your responsibility."
The other says: "The system is responsible for your mental health."
I don't believe either extreme captures the reality. There is individual responsibility. But there is also collective responsibility.
A person can have agency while simultaneously needing substantial support.
A therapist can have professional responsibility while still needing consultation.
A partner can have an important role without being expected to become a mental health professional.
A psychiatrist can manage medication without being able to address every relational or environmental factor affecting someone's wellbeing.
A family can provide support without being responsible for treating a psychiatric disorder.
These roles are not interchangeable.
Mental healthcare works best when we understand how they fit together.
Therapy Was Never Meant to Be the Entire Mental Health System
This is something I believe strongly as a therapist.
Therapists and health care workers including Psychiatrists and Psychologists are expected to treat almost everything.
Anxiety? Medication
Trauma? Therapy.
Depression? Medication.
Relationship problems? Therapy.
Postpartum mental health? Medication.
But there are situations where therapy or medication alone isn't enough. And recognizing that is not a failure of therapy or the practitioner. It is responsible clinical care.
A therapist may need to collaborate with a physician, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, postpartum healthcare provider, or another mental health professional and visa versa.
They may need to recommend a psychiatric assessment. They may need to develop a safety plan. They may need to involve a support person when appropriate and with the necessary consent. They may need to increase the frequency of sessions. They may need to recommend a higher level of care.
And sometimes the most important intervention is recognizing: "This person needs more support than I can provide alone."
That is not abandoning someone. That is teamwork.
Why Collective Care Matters in Postpartum Mental Health
The concept of collective care is particularly important during the postpartum period. A new parent is not simply an individual experiencing a mental health concern. They are often embedded within a family system.
There may be a partner, newborn, other children, grandparents, friends, healthcare providers, employers, and community supports. All of these relationships can influence someone's ability to cope.
For example, telling a severely sleep-deprived new parent to "practice better coping skills" may be less useful than asking:
Who can help them get some uninterrupted sleep?
Instead of only asking: "Are you taking care of yourself?"
We might ask: "Who is taking care of you?"
That distinction matters.
Mental Health Is Relational
At Soma Clinical Counselling, we approach mental health from the understanding that people don't exist in isolation.
Our experiences are shaped by our relationships, attachment histories, nervous systems, environments, identities, stressors, and communities.
This is one reason we integrate approaches that look beyond symptoms alone.
Trauma-informed therapy, attachment-focused therapy, somatic approaches, CBT, DBT-informed strategies, IFS, EMDR, and couples therapy can each offer different pathways for understanding and supporting clients.
But no modality should be treated as a universal answer.The person comes before the modality.
And sometimes the person's needs extend beyond the therapy room.
What We Are Trying to Build at Soma Clinical Counselling
This is an important part of why we are intentionally building Soma as a clinical team, rather than simply a collection of individual therapists.
We believe therapists should be able to consult with one another.
We believe complicated clinical presentations deserve thoughtful discussion.
We believe therapists should know their scope of practice.
We believe referrals and collaboration are strengths, not evidence that a therapist has failed.
And we believe that clients deserve care that is responsive to the complexity of their lives.
Our goal is not to position therapy as the answer to everything.
Our goal is to provide high-quality, trauma-informed counselling while recognizing when collaboration, referral, consultation, or additional support may be necessary.
That distinction matters.
What Does Collaborative Mental Healthcare Actually Look Like?
It can look different for every person.
For one client, it might mean individual therapy alongside care from their family doctor.
For another, it might involve couples counselling because the relationship is an important part of the support system.
For someone experiencing significant psychiatric symptoms, it may mean therapy alongside psychiatric care.
For a postpartum client, it could mean connecting with specialized perinatal mental health resources while also receiving counselling.
For someone experiencing an acute crisis, outpatient therapy may not be the appropriate level of care at all.
Good therapy isn't about keeping someone in therapy at all costs. Sometimes good therapy means helping someone connect with the right level of support.
We Need to Talk About Postpartum Mental Health Before Crisis Happens
One of the biggest opportunities we have is prevention.
We should not wait until someone is in a psychiatric emergency before we talk about postpartum mental health.
Pregnancy and postpartum care should include conversations about:
Previous mental health concerns
Previous trauma
Mood changes
Anxiety
Intrusive thoughts
Sleep
Social support
Relationship stress
Family history of mental illness
Warning signs that additional support may be needed
And importantly, those conversations need to continue after the baby arrives.
A six-week postpartum check is not the end of postpartum mental health care.
Mental health can change over time. Someone may initially feel okay and struggle later.
Someone may appear to be functioning while privately experiencing significant symptoms. Someone may know they are struggling but be afraid to tell anyone.
We need systems where asking for help is normalized before someone reaches a crisis point.
Compassion and Accountability Are Not Opposites
The Lindsay Clancy case also raises an uncomfortable question about whether we can discuss mental illness without minimizing the harm that occurred.
I believe we can.
We can hold compassion for people experiencing severe mental illness without romanticizing it. We can acknowledge the devastating impact of violence without pretending mental illness explains every act of violence. We can care about families who have experienced unimaginable loss.We can believe in accountability while also examining whether our healthcare systems are adequately equipped to recognize and respond to psychiatric emergencies.
Complexity does not mean excusing harm.
It means being willing to ask difficult questions.
What I Wish We Talked About More
Instead of only asking: "Why didn't she get help?"
I think we need to ask:
What kind of help was available?
Was it accessible?
Was the care coordinated?
Did the professionals involved communicate with one another?
Did the family know what warning signs to look for?
Was there a clear plan if symptoms escalated?
Was the level of care appropriate for the person's presentation?
Did the system have somewhere to send someone when outpatient therapy wasn't enough?
These aren't questions about one person. They're questions about the system surrounding people when they become unwell.
The Mental Health System Needs More Than Individual Therapists
Therapists matter.
Psychiatrists matter.
Doctors matter.
Nurses matter.
Families matter.
Partners matter.
Community supports matter.
Crisis services matter.
Policy matters.
Accessible childcare matters.
Parental leave matters.
Affordable housing matters.
Sleep matters.
Social connection matters.
Mental health is both personal and systemic.
If we only focus on the individual, we miss the environment around them. And if we only focus on the environment, we risk overlooking the individual's agency and needs.
We need both.
A Different Vision for Mental Healthcare
At Soma Clinical Counselling, we want to be part of a mental health culture that values connection over isolation and collaboration over silos.
We want our clinicians to feel supported enough to consult and connect with the individuals health team outside of the counselling room.
We want clients to feel comfortable talking about difficult symptoms without shame.
We want to recognize when someone needs more than weekly therapy.
We want to normalize referrals.
We want to build relationships with other professionals.
And we want to keep asking:
What does this person actually need? Not: "What can I, as the therapist, provide?"
That distinction changes everything. Because the goal of therapy isn't for the therapist to become indispensable.
The goal is for the client to become supported.
If You Are Struggling Postpartum
If you are experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, overwhelming fear, significant changes in sleep or functioning, difficulty connecting with your baby, or other concerning changes in your mental health, you don't have to wait until things become unbearable to seek support.
Postpartum mental health concerns are treatable, and reaching out early can make a meaningful difference.
Therapy can be an important part of care, particularly when working with a therapist who understands trauma, attachment, relationships, and the unique challenges of the postpartum period.
However, some symptoms require medical or psychiatric assessment in addition to counselling.
If there are hallucinations, delusions, severe confusion, paranoia, or thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, seek urgent professional help rather than relying on outpatient therapy alone.
Final Thoughts
The Lindsay Clancy case is heartbreaking. There are no simple answers.
But perhaps one thing we can take from the broader conversation is this: Mental health was never meant to be an individual sport.
We need people to take responsibility for their wellbeing. But we also need families who know how to support them. Therapists who know when to collaborate. Doctors who recognize warning signs. Psychiatrists who can provide appropriate psychiatric care. Systems that communicate; I can not stress this enough. Communities that notice when someone is struggling. And healthcare structures that don't require people to reach a breaking point before they can access meaningful support.
Individual care matters.
Collective care matters.
And the strongest mental healthcare makes room for both.
At Soma Clinical Counselling, that is the kind of clinical culture we are committed to building. Not a system where one therapist tries to carry everything. But a team that understands that sometimes the most effective way to care for someone is to make sure they don't have to carry it alone.
Looking for postpartum therapy in North Vancouver or across BC?
Soma Clinical Counselling provides trauma-informed counselling in North Vancouver and virtually across British Columbia, supporting individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment concerns, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and other mental health concerns.
If you're looking for support during pregnancy or the postpartum period, therapy can provide a space to process the emotional, relational, and psychological changes that can accompany becoming a parent.
You don't have to figure everything out on your own.
[Important Note]
[This article is a general clinical reflection on postpartum mental health and the broader issues raised by the Lindsay Clancy case. It is not a clinical assessment of Lindsay Clancy, and it does not suggest a diagnosis or provide an opinion regarding the legal proceedings. The case remains a matter for the courts.]
Frequently Asked Questions About Postpartum Mental Health
What is postpartum mental health?
Postpartum mental health refers to emotional and psychological wellbeing during the period after giving birth. It can include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, trauma-related symptoms, bipolar-spectrum conditions, and, more rarely, postpartum psychosis.
What is postpartum psychosis?
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious psychiatric emergency that can involve hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, severe confusion, disorganization, or significant changes in behaviour. It requires urgent medical and psychiatric assessment.
Can therapy help with postpartum depression and anxiety?
Yes. Therapy can be an important component of treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety. Depending on the severity and nature of symptoms, treatment may also involve medical or psychiatric care and practical support from family or other resources.
When should I seek postpartum therapy?
You don't need to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking therapy. If you're experiencing persistent anxiety, sadness, overwhelm, intrusive thoughts, relationship difficulties, difficulty adjusting to parenthood, or changes in your sense of self, speaking with a qualified therapist may be helpful.
Does postpartum mental health only affect mothers?
No. Mental health concerns can affect birthing parents and non-birthing partners. The transition to parenthood can bring significant emotional, relational, financial, and lifestyle changes for both parents.
What is collective care?
Collective care recognizes that mental health is influenced by relationships, family, community, healthcare, and broader social conditions. Rather than placing the entire responsibility for wellbeing on one individual, collective care considers how multiple people and systems can contribute to someone's support.
Should therapy be the only treatment for a mental health concern?
Not necessarily. Therapy is one form of mental healthcare. Some people may benefit from a combination of counselling, medical care, psychiatric assessment, medication, couples or family support, community resources, or a higher level of care depending on their needs.
How does Soma Clinical Counselling approach mental health?
Soma Clinical Counselling takes a trauma-informed and relational approach to therapy. Our clinicians draw from evidence-informed approaches and recognize the importance of collaboration, consultation, appropriate referrals, and care that considers the whole person rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Does Soma offer postpartum therapy in North Vancouver?
Soma Clinical Counselling provides counselling in North Vancouver and virtually across British Columbia. Our clinicians support clients experiencing a range of mental health and relationship concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, attachment concerns, and major life transitions. Reach out to determine whether our services are an appropriate fit for your needs.