It's possible to start feeling more relaxed about your birth or caring for your new bundle of joy
Why do pregnant women & new mothers need support?
Stress is the sad reality for many new parents. 1 in 5 mothers are experiencing depression during their pregnancy or up to their baby turns two years old.[1] Another frightening fact is that suicide is one of the leading causes of maternal death for mothers in Australia.[3]
Many cite research which states 1 in 3 women experience their birth as traumatic. However some studies suggest that up to 45.5% of women giving birth in Australia are likely to report childbearing as traumatic.[2] This is not because birth itself is inherently traumtic.
This is because there is a lot about our society and maternity care and how we care for mothers, babies and parents that needs to change.
There are so many gaps in the maternal care systems. The holistic mental health and well-being of many mothers is suffering. This affects relationships, children and whole communities.
It doesn't need to be this way. You deserve support too.
You deserve support
Reaching out for support and sharing your story is a vulnerable process.
When we take steps to take care of ourselves, then our children, family and community also benefit from our healing.
My belief is that we are the experts in our own lives, and that moving through challenges works best when we feel safe, non-judged, and deeply listened to.
When we reach out for support, we want to meet with someone who "gets it" and will approach us as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
Want a FREE 15 minute consultation to discuss your needs?
Ready to book your counselling session now?
Pregnancy & Postnatal Counselling
Counselling sessions are aimed at supporting you ‘wherever you’re at’ with your current pregnancy or mothering journey.
You might be feeling:
- Anxious, sad, worried or fearful;
- Trying to make sense of a challenging, difficult or traumatic birth experience;
- Stressed, overwhelmed, tired, like you’re not coping with day to day living;
- Finding it hard to adjust to mothering, or have little family support;
- Struggling in your relationship with your partner/husband;
- Finding it difficult to connect and bond with your baby;
- Experiencing fertility issues, IVF or pregnancy loss;
- Thinking about all your options regarding your pregnancy, including continuing the pregnancy, termination or adoption.
What to expect in a counselling session
- Meeting you "wherever you're at" in your life journey;
- Non-judgemental, warm, respectful approach;
- Respect for your sexuality and gender identity;
- Respect for your beliefs, values and spiritual/religious background;
- Trauma-informed and intersectional feminist framework;
- Working with you as a whole person;
- Creative and somatic (body-based) ways of healing and reconnecting with the body;
- Respect for your confidentiality and privacy;
- Support to access resources in the community;
- Support to build your own coping skills and solutions.
AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST
- Anxiety and depression;
- Perinatal mental health concerns;
- Parenting;
- Traumatic pregnancy / birth / postnatal experience;
- Healing after sexual violence (childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, domestic violence);
- Complex trauma (childhood abuse, neglect, attachment issues);
- Sexuality and intimacy;
- Fertility issues;
- Grief and loss;
- Relationship issues;
- Life transitions (particularly menstruation, birth, menopause);
- Spirituality, spiritual development, spiritual ‘awakenings’;
- Altered states of consciousness;
- Preparation and integration of psychedelic medicines;
- Embodiment and somatic approaches to healing;
- Mindfulness, meditation, yoga and shamanic practices.
Availability & Fees
I offer a 15 min phone consultation to discuss support options at no cost.
The counselling sessions I offer are extended, and can be up to 75 minutes, and the fees are $210.
IN-PERSON on Tuesdays at It Takes A Village Midwifery Centre, Kenmore, Brisbane.
PHONE or VIDEO sessions available Wednesdays & some Saturdays.
SLIDING SCALE - Reduced fee option for those with financial barriers and/or BIPOC are welcome to ask about this option. Phone or video sessions only.
MEDICARE- Now offering rebates for sessions when you are referred by your GP with a Mental Health Care Plan. Please contact via email if you need any support getting a referral.
Hi there, I'm Anne
Thanks for stopping by this little corner of the internet - Earth & Womb.
This is where I share my counselling services and other offerings that support holistic health and healing.
I'm passionate about how we integrate and recover from trauma and mental health challenges particularly with healing approaches that centre holism and the transpersonal.
I wish to pay my respect to the Turrbal and Jagera people, the First Peoples with an ongoing connection to the land I call home in Meanjin (Brisbane). Always was, Always will be Aboriginal Land.
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