Transition to Parenting

Including Perinatal, Postnatal and Infant Mental Health

Parenthood can be like a theme park thrill ride. It’s both an exciting and terrifying journey with lots of twists and turns.

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest and most important transitions in life, whether for the first time or perhaps the last time. For most it is a time of mixed emotions of hope, anticipation, and excitement, as well as anxiety, doubt, and fear. That is normal and I can help you navigate this. Parenting is not an instinctive skill. We have to learn how to be a good parent.

We also have to relearn how to be the same partner in a new relationship. The secret to managing the transition is to keep your relationship strong and have good supports.

There are a lot of resources and programs that provide support for the physical realities of conception, pregnancy and birth, and caring for newborns. But what about the psychological journey of parenthood? How do you manage the difficult experiences, thoughts, feelings, sensations, memories, and urges that get in the way of you being the parent you want to be and thriving in this journey rather than just surviving?

Again, you are not alone.

It is not uncommon for Mums or Dads to experience stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship dissatisfaction during pregnancy and after birth. Please know things can improve. The strength of your relationship with your partner and your ability to manage the difficulties of parenting will help you and your partner. It will also have a direct impact on your child’s development. What great news.

I am here to support you and your family in your journey so that you can thrive and enjoy authentic and heartfelt connections and living. I can help you identify strengths from which to build competence and address problems. Also through this work together you will strengthen your young child’s capacity to experience, regulate and express emotions; develop close and secure healthy relationships; and explore their environment and learn.

I offer individual, couples, and parent-child sessions, as well as workshops. I can talk through the options with you and help you decide the best option.

Not only can I help in the transition to parenting and parenting in the early years, I also have extensive experience supporting parents, children and families at all ages and stages of development from infancy to adulthood.

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