Perinatal Mental Health
& Birth Trauma
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood are profound life transitions that can bring significant emotional, physical and psychological change. While this time may be filled with joy, connection and growth, it can also involve trauma, grief, physical injury, anxiety, relationship challenges and significant shifts in identity.
Birth is often described as a rite of passage.
It asks so much of the body, mind and spirit, and every person’s experience is unique. Some people leave birth feeling deeply empowered and connected, while others are left with a lingering sense that something doesn’t feel resolved. Whether your experience involved trauma, medical intervention, physical injury, loss, unmet expectations, or simply a feeling that your birth story still needs to be heard, support is available.
As a māmā who has experienced both a traumatic first birth and a deeply healing and empowering second birth, I understand firsthand the lasting impact birth can have. Alongside my professional training as a Certified Healing Birth Practitioner, Registered Social Worker and Certified Hakomi Therapist, these experiences have shaped my understanding of birth as a significant life transition and the many ways healing can unfold.
I provide therapeutic support throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. My approach integrates trauma-informed therapy, Hakomi psychotherapy, Social work and birth-specific knowledge, recognising the interconnected relationship between the mind, body, nervous system, and the broader relational, cultural and social contexts in which we live.
Support may include:
Birth debriefing and birth story integration
Birth trauma and difficult birth experiences
Pregnancy and postpartum mental health
Anxiety, depression and emotional wellbeing
Birth-related physical injuries
Previous trauma activated during pregnancy, birth or postpartum care
Baby loss, miscarriage, stillbirth or termination
Fertility journeys and unplanned pregnancy
Attachment and bonding with baby
Breastfeeding and postpartum body changes
Identity shifts and the transition to parenthood
Relationship changes and family adjustment
Planning for a healing birth following a previous traumatic experience
Birth Debriefing
As a Certified Healing Birth Practitioner, I offer one-off birth debriefing sessions designed to help people process, understand and integrate their birth experience. Birth debriefing provides a dedicated space to share your story, explore the emotional, physical and relational impact of birth, and gain a deeper understanding of what happened and how your experience may continue to influence you.
Sessions combine reflective listening with trauma-informed and somatic approaches, creating space for both emotional processing and practical understanding.
A birth debriefing session (approximately two hours) includes:
Sharing your birth story in a safe, spacious and supportive therapeutic environment.
Exploring the emotional, physical and relational impact of your experience.
Understanding your experience through a trauma-informed lens.
Gentle somatic approaches to support integration.
Psychoeducation about trauma responses where appropriate.
Resources and recommendations to support your ongoing healing.
Baby, partners, or support people are welcome to attend where this feels appropriate and supportive.
Ongoing Therapy
For some people, a birth debriefing provides the clarity and integration they need. For others, it uncovers deeper layers connected to trauma, attachment, identity, previous life experiences or the ongoing adjustments of pregnancy and early parenthood. Where ongoing support is appropriate, therapy can continue beyond the birth debrief. My therapeutic approach integrates trauma-informed psychotherapy, Hakomi psychotherapy, somatic therapy and social work, recognising the interconnected relationship between the mind, body, nervous system and the wider relational and social contexts in which we live.
Therapy may include
Processing birth trauma, grief and loss
Exploring post-traumatic stress symptoms and whether a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reflects your experience
Psychoeducation about the impact of trauma on the brain, nervous system and body
Hormonal changes and their impact on emotional wellbeing
Supporting nervous system regulation and the integration of traumatic experiences
Working with previous trauma, including historical sexual trauma that may have been activated during pregnancy, birth or postpartum care
Processing experiences of medical or healthcare violence
Exploring attachment, identity and relationship changes during the transition to parenthood
Exploring the psychological, archetypal and spiritual transition into parenthood, including the journey from maiden to mother and the profound identity shifts this can bring
Supporting recovery following birth-related physical injury
Alongside therapeutic processing, sessions may also include psychoeducation, collaborative formulation, and developing a deeper understanding of the ways trauma, attachment, relationships and life experiences continue to shape present-day patterns and wellbeing. There is no “right” timeframe for seeking support. Some people attend during pregnancy, others in the weeks following birth, while many seek support months or years later. Wherever you are in your journey, support can begin there.
Funding
As an ACC registered provider for both Sensitive Claims and eligible Physical Injury claims, I can discuss whether ACC funding may be available based on your individual circumstances. This includes counselling for eligible physical birth injuries (click ACC image for link to more information), as well as support through ACC Sensitive Claims where the ACC criteria are met.
If ongoing therapy is recommended following a birth debriefing, other funding pathways may also be available depending on your circumstances.
Funding options can be discussed during your initial session.
