PERINATAL
MENTAL HEALTH

The perinatal period, which is the time during conception, pregnancy and the first few years post birth can be a particularly vulnerable time in both an individual and couple’s life. Whilst welcoming a new baby into the family is a joyous experience, it can also be a time filled with various challenges, changes and unexpected emotions that can take a toll on the mental and emotional wellbeing of parents.

This time can be particularly challenging and at times can throw you into a very unexpected emotional space. There are so many internal and external expectations placed on us throughout the perinatal period that having someone help you find the way through all the ups and downs in a reassuring, comforting and nonjudgmental way can be incredibly validating. This is where I can help.

Psychology Services

Some of the areas I work with often include:

• Preparing for pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood
• Feelings of worry, anxiety, anger, loss of control and uncertainty
• Depression / low mood / not feeling “like yourself”
• Struggling with intrusive or scary thoughts
• When motherhood isn’t how you had pictured it
• Changes to your identity and sense of self after becoming a parent
• Feelings of comparison or that you are ‘not good enough’
• Adjusting to the experience of your conception, pregnancy or parenthood journey vs how you imagined it might be
• Not feeling connected to your pregnancy or baby
• The impact on your relationships during the perinatal period, whether that be with your partner, friends or family.
• Processing your birth experience
• Pregnancy / parenting post loss
• Pregnancy and parenting following infertility / donor cnception
• Exploring infertility or third-party reproduction treatments
• Grief associated with requiring infertility treatments.
• Donor implications counselling
• Exploring the idea of ceasing fertility treatment – “when enough might be enough”

If any of these resonate with you, please know that you are not alone. I truly get it and I am committed to challenging the societal view of “normal” and how or what “should be”. Please get in touch so that I can help support you to work through and understand the thoughts, feelings, self-doubt, fear, grief, and complexities you may be experiencing with the aim of creating insight, self-compassion, practical strategies and ongoing meaningful change in your life.

Cost

Cost per session is $215.
If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you can access up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year. The current rebate is $92.90 per session.

Baby Sleep Support

BASIC BABY SLEEP CONSULT

The consult can either be in person or via zoom call, it’s a tailored session, unique to you and your baby. It will include a holistic assessment of your baby's sleep, your individual circumstances, mental health and wellbeing. By the end of the session, you will have a personalised plan to make your days and night's more manageable and enjoyable.

Session details:

• 50 minute session
• In person or via zoom
• $230.00 per session

You may be entitled to a Medicare rebate of $68.10 for Non-directive Pregnancy Counselling with a GP referral.

COMPLETE BABY SLEEP PACKAGE

This is perfect for you if you would like a comprehensive overview of what is going on with your baby's sleep, and you want to be supported the whole way through.

You will complete a baby sleep diary for a week prior to our session. During our session, I will conduct a holistic assessment of your baby's sleep and discuss the sleep diary. We will also look at other factors that may be impacting your baby's sleep, personal circumstances and your overall mental health and wellbeing.

We will together create a tailored plan, which I will send to you via email. It will include resources and information that is personalised for you.

2 weeks later we will have a 20 minute zoom follow up consult to check in and review how the plan is going. This is your opportunity to ask questions, and ensure the plan is right for you and your baby.

Session details:

• Initial 50 minute session – in person or via zoom
• Follow up 20 minute zoom session
• $399 for the package includes review of sleep diary prior to appointment, both appointments, emailed plan with resources

You may be entitled to a Medicare rebate of $68.10 for Non-directive Pregnancy Counselling with a GP referral.

Counselling

As an Accredited Social Worker, I provide counselling for mums in the perinatal period.

My passion is in supporting women through the transition to motherhood. With a focus on emotional wellbeing for new mums, you don't need to have a difficult time with a baby, if you have the right support and information.

Session details:

• 50 minute sessions
• In person or via zoom
• $190.00 per session

You may be entitled to a Medicare rebate of $68.10 for Non-directive Pregnancy Counselling with a GP referral.