Top perinatal psychiatrist joins Mater

Queensland's largest and most comprehensive perinatal mental health facility Catherine’s House for Mothers Babies and Families has welcomed psychiatrist Dr Kannan Kallapiran to the team.

Located at South Brisbane, Dr Kallapiran has more than 20 years’ experience as a psychiatrist.

“It is my passion to reduce the intergenerational transmission of risk to the baby by working with the family and mother of the baby,” Dr Kallapiran said.

“It is important to keep in mind the social circumstances of a patient, their relationships and more importantly, their connection with their child.”

Dr Kallapiran, who is also the Medical Director of specialist teams in Child Youth Mental Health Service at Children's Health Queensland Hospital Health Service, said Catherine’s House was set up with a suite of services to help mothers and their babies in an environment that was “warm, welcoming and supportive”.

Dr Kallapiran uses a combination of medical and psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Mentalisation-based treatment and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. 

He works in a strength-based, recovery-oriented model, empowering mothers to live in alignment with their values.

“I tend to see mothers who are very anxious about caring for their child or can’t sleep because they are worrying about them,” said Dr Kallapiran, who completed his primary training in India and advanced training in Australia, before obtaining his FRANZCP.

“I have a range of patients, including depressed mothers who can’t bond with their baby, mothers who can’t enjoy the time they spend with their baby, and mothers who lack motivation and find it a huge struggle to look after their baby.”

Dr Kallapiran also provides support to mothers with a history of depression, anxiety and those who have other serious mental disorders.

He is currently undertaking the Positive Childhood Experiences (PCE) research project at The University of Queensland, evaluating the impact of PCEs on adult mental health outcomes. 

• Referrals are required for patients to see Dr Kallapiran at Catherine’s House, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane. Phone 3163 2299 for more information.

5 signs and symptoms to look out for:

• Reduced enjoyment in activities that previously brought enjoyment including interaction with the baby
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt or tearfulness
• Thoughts of wanting to die or wanting to escape
• Recurrent scary thoughts about something bad happening to their baby or them
• Physical symptoms that were not previously present such as palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath or body tension