Psychological support through pregnancy and the first year after birth — postnatal depression, perinatal anxiety, birth trauma and the adjustment nobody warned you about. For mothers, fathers and non-birthing parents.
The phrase “baby blues” covers a real thing — a few days of tearfulness and sensitivity after birth, driven largely by hormonal change, which settles on its own. Postnatal depression is not that. It lasts longer, reaches further, and does not lift because the baby finally sleeps through.
It is also not only a mother’s condition. Around one in ten fathers and non-birthing partners experience postnatal depression, and it tends to present differently — irritability, withdrawal, longer hours at work — which is part of why it is missed. We work with whoever in the family is struggling, not only the person who gave birth.
Related approaches and areas: depression, anxiety, couples therapy.
Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Babies welcome, and telehealth available across NSW.
The first session distinguishes baby blues, postnatal depression, perinatal anxiety and birth trauma — they overlap but respond to different things. Thyroid function and sleep deprivation are checked as contributors rather than assumed away.
With a newborn, capacity is the binding constraint. Early work is about sleep protection, feeding pressure and dividing the load — not because insight does not matter, but because it is unreachable at four hours of broken sleep.
Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the baby are common in the perinatal period and are not a sign you are dangerous. Naming that accurately is often the single most relieving part of an assessment.
Where a partner, parent or support person can be involved, the work holds better. Paternal and partner mental health is treated as part of the picture, not an afterthought.
Baby blues usually begin within days of birth and settle within about two weeks without treatment. Postnatal depression persists beyond that, affects most of the day on most days, and reaches into sleep, appetite, concentration and your sense of yourself as a parent. It can also begin months after birth, which surprises people.
Yes. Around one in ten fathers and non-birthing partners do. It often shows as irritability, withdrawal or working more rather than visible sadness, which is part of why it goes unrecognised.
No. Seeking help is not evidence against you, and intrusive thoughts are not intent. Clinicians have mandatory reporting obligations where a child is at risk of harm, and that is explained openly at the first session rather than left unsaid.
Yes. Babies are welcome, and telehealth is available when getting out of the house is the hardest part of the day.
Psychological therapy involves no medication, so breastfeeding is unaffected. If medication is being considered, that is a conversation with your GP or psychiatrist, and there are options compatible with breastfeeding.
Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan. Babies welcome, and telehealth available across NSW.