Perinatal Psychology
Supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood while fostering secure early relationships.
The transition to parenthood can bring joy, uncertainty and emotional challenges. At Willowbright Psychology, I provide compassionate, attachment-informed support to help parents navigate pregnancy, postpartum adjustment and the early years of parenting while building secure and connected relationships with their child.
When Becoming a Parent Feels Overwhelming
If you're expecting a baby or adjusting to life as a new parent, you may feel as though you're carrying the weight of everything while trying to hold it all together. I support expectant and new parents experiencing anxiety, constant worry, low mood, overwhelm, guilt, perfectionism or feeling disconnected from themselves, their baby or their partner. Together, we create a safe space to explore what you're experiencing and help you feel understood without judgement.
How Perinatal Psychology Can Support You
My approach is warm, compassionate and attachment-focused, recognising the unique emotional journey into parenthood. Many clients describe feeling calmer, more validated and less overwhelmed as therapy progresses. They often notice greater confidence in their parenting, stronger connection with their baby and partner, and a growing sense of self-compassion. I offer telehealth sessions across Australia, with Medicare rebates available for eligible clients with a Mental Health Care Plan.
The emotional wellbeing of parents plays an important role in the development of secure attachment and healthy family relationships
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Therapy offers an opportunity to reflect on the self as a mother. What becoming a mother might mean, the kind of mother you hope to be, the parts you want to carry forward, and the patterns you may wish to leave behind. Together, we make sense of the thoughts and feelings that come with this change, supporting you to feel calmer and more sure of yourself as you become a mum.
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I give you a calm gentle place to talk about birth. What you are hoping for, what you are worried about and the things that have shaped how you picture it.
Together we look at how to handle the parts of birth that can be messy or unpredictable, so it feels less scary and more manageable.
My goal is to help you feel informed, supported and emotionally ready as you get closer to giving birth and becoming a parent
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I help parents feel more confident with everyday stuff, feeding, sleep and handling all the big feelings that come with toddlers. We talk about simple practicle things that make family life feel easier and more connected.
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Having a new baby can feel overwhelming. You might start to worry alot about the things you never used to think about and sometimes those worries don’t go away. You may feel sad, flat, or numb, or lose interest in the things you used to enjoy. These can be signs of postnatal depression and anxiety and they can make everyday life feel heavy and hard.
I provide a gently space to talk about what has been happening. Together we explore the worries, the saddness the stress and help you understand what is going on. We work together on simple ways to cope so life feels a little easier and more manageable.
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Relationships can change alot during pregnanxy, when baby arrives or if you are dealing with complications or loss.
I give you a gentlt space to talk about what is changing. Together we explore what you need, what is happening around you and how to strengthen the support that helps you feel steady and connected.
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Sometimes mums find it hard to be close to their baby at first. It is more common than you may think, and many feel too scared to say it aloud. Some can even feel annoyed, uncomfortable or upset around their baby and that can be really confusing.
I am here to help you understand these feelings, work through the guilt or shame that might come with them, and gently build the connection between you and your baby in a way that feels safe and real.
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Alot of women say their birth felt really scary or overwhelming. Even when birth looks “ normal” from the outside, it can still leave you feeling shaken or upset on the inside.
I give you a gently space to talk through your birth story. Working through these feeling can help make you feel more steady in your parenting, reconnect with your strengths and think about any future pregnancies with more confidence and support
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Perinatal Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can show up when you have a baby. It isually has three parts: upsetting thoughts that pop into your mind, the anxiety those thoughts create, and the things you feel you have to do over and over to feel safe.
These thoughts often focus on your baby’s safety. You might imagine scary things happening, even though you would never want to hurt your baby.
I offer a gentle space where you can talk about these worries without judgement. I can help you understand that these thoughts don’t meant anything bad about who you are as a parent. Together we slowly make sense of the OCD, explore what makes the anxiety lessen and find steadier, kinder ways to cope.
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Initial Consultation
$220/70 min
$118.45 with eligible rebate applied
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Ongoing Sessions
$195/50min
$93.45 with eligible rebate applied