This is an area I am passionate about - treating mums so that they can flourish as mothers.
I break this down into 3 separate areas: fertility, pregnancy and birth, postnatal
Fertility : Women, men and couples with fertility difficulties; IVF
Pregnancy and birth: Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Tokophobia (extreme fear of childbirth); Miscarriage; Stillbirth; Birth Trauma; Anxiety; Stress; Distress
Postnatal: Puerperal psychosis; Stress; Anxiety; Bonding and Attachment Difficulties; Extreme fear; PTSD
This list is not exhaustive, so if you are experiencing another distress, please let me know, I am happy to work with any distress.
I have been treating mums now for many years. It began when I realised there was very little on offer to women with mental illness within the perinatal period, particularly those women who were discharged from inpatient mother and baby units.
In the beginning, I specialised in depression and anxiety. However, I began to see a wider presentation of experiences, from miscarriage, to women experiencing IVF, to stillbirth. I realised that this area is vast and I wanted to be able to provide a safe, non-judgemental place where women could bring their experience and speak about it.
As a relational psychotherapist I put the relationship at the heart of my work and I am passionate about human bonding through relationship, whether it be working with couples and parents who are struggling to bond with their babies and children, or helping couples through difficulties, by placing emphasis on the importance of bonding within the relationship. My belief is that bonding and attachment are a fundamental human need throughout our entire life and utterly crucial for the wellbeing of a baby not just in the short term, but again lifelong.
I continuously research this area, and update my own learning. I am a member of the Marce Society, a collegial society made up of psychiatrist, psychologists and other practitioners in maternal mental illness. This society keeps my knowledge up to date, with academic debate and sharing of recent research and publication.