Mental health support in pregnancy, childbirth and beyond

Getting help is an act of bravery, not weakness

If you’re unsure whether to seek mental health support during pregnancy and childbirth, here’s some guidance to help you along

Sometimes life gets so hectic we lose touch with what’s really going on deep within. While it’s easy for some to reach out when they’re having mental health issues in pregnancy or as a blossoming parent, for others it’s a daunting idea, and sometimes comes with anxiety.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll benefit from counselling, sometimes it’s a matter of finding the right counsellor and type of therapy. On this page you’ll find:

  • answers to common questions

  • a few little tips and pointers you can try now, and

  • a range of perinatal mental health professionals for you to research

Or, if you feel you’re in the right place, tap below to read more about why we might be just the ones to support you through this momentous time in your life.   

Mental health issues in pregnancy and parenthood are more common than you’d think

We know how hard it can be to ask for help when you’re feeling low or lonely during this life-changing journey.

We can assure you it’s only human to feel like a burden to friends or family if you do, although we also know that the thought of revealing that you’re having less-than-blissful feelings about motherhood and parenting might be too much to bear.

Think of it like this: if you knew someone close to you was doubting themselves through an important life-path they’d chosen, would you consider them a burden for sharing their concerns with you?

Most of us feel honoured when our nearest and dearest allow themselves to be vulnerable. It’s actually a gift—and the people who matter genuinely want to help. It’s human nature to be social and supportive when others need lifting.

Little things you can try right now

Immerse yourself in nature, however that might look for you. Whether that’s taking your dog somewhere new, sitting by a majestic old leafy tree in a park you’ve not been to before, or earthing yourself by going barefoot at a beach or luscious lawn somewhere, these seemingly small actions can be surprisingly therapeutic. If you’ve not yet seen The Earthing Movie, we highly recommend you watch that too.

If you’re a bit down, chat with a friend before your thoughts run away with you. Connect with others in person if you can—or directly on the phone. Try to avoid social apps where you might run into group chats until you’re feeling stronger.

Do some gentle exercise to help nudge those ‘feelgood’ endorphins. When you’re feeling low, it’s hard to muster the motivation to exercise, but even small movements of your limbs or singing out loud to a song you love is enough to stimulate those happy hormones and shift your focus.

Take time out from social media. While it can be a source of connection with your community, if you’re in a delicate frame of mind, it’s beneficial to remove some social apps from your phone for a while. We all know that most things we see on social only show half the real picture, and you might not want to be reminded of that half if you’re not feeling great.

Things other growing parents want to know

  • We generally recommend starting with 6 sessions spaced close together, then gradually moving them further apart. This might span three months, then we’ll review what’s changed and determine whether there’s any more work to do.

  • Your first session is an opportunity for you to get to know your therapist and see if you’re comfortable with them. After all, this work is about relationships. You’ll be asked a few broad questions such as "How are you going at the moment?" and "What do you feel you need help with?". It’s completely fine if you don’t know the answers, because it’s our role to help you along with these questions.

    Toward the end of the session, we support you by providing an overview of what we discussed, then we look at next possible steps and encourage you to think about how you might want to move forward. We’re fully aware that when the time is right, you’ll be motivated and ready to grow. We won’t pressure you into anything—it’s always your choice to engage in a therapeutic relationship.

    If you have a referral from your GP, please bring it—without this you can't claim a Medicare rebate.

  • We work together to establish which tools will best help you manage your anxieties efficiently and effectively. It’s actually necessary that we as humans experience anxiety, as it helps us scope out any imminent danger, and also helps us access our intiuition. We’ll help you understand triggers and bring them to light so if and when anxiety arises, it doesn’t enshroud or disempower you.

  • Yes. We recognise it’s a challenge knowing where to turn for such specific counselling needs, but we’re very skilled in this area and have achieved excellent results for many parents in conflict.

Other support services we recommend