What Do I Specialize In?

While having a baby can be one of the most incredible experiences in your life, it can also bring unexpected challenges.

Perinatal mental health support is focused on helping mothers who are facing emotional difficulties during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Receiving support during this vulnerable time is essential for fostering a positive connection between you and your baby.

Many factors influence a mother’s emotional wellbeing, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected from your baby, or finding it hard to adjust to parenthood, you’re not alone. These feelings can be heavy and difficult to manage on your own.

If this resonates with you, please feel free to reach out. I’m here to listen and to support you through this journey. 

If you feel ready to talk or just want to explore whether counselling might help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You deserve support that honors your experience and helps you move forward with confidence and care.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy and After Birth

Depression, fear, and anxiety are common and often difficult emotions that many people experience at some point in their lives.

During pregnancy, anxiety can take many forms, including stress, Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), panic disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, and phobias. It’s normal to experience some anxiety during pregnancy; however, it becomes a concern when it starts to significantly impact your daily life. Anxiety disorders are often more prevalent during the antenatal period and can increase the risk of developing postnatal depression.

Depression, including postnatal depression, is the most common perinatal mental health challenge. Studies show that between 13% and 20% of women experience postnatal depression within the first year after giving birth (Priest et al., 2003). Like other mental health conditions, depression can affect the bond between mother and baby.

Through counselling and appropriate treatment, you can regain motivation, perspective, and the joy that may feel out of reach right now. These conditions are treatable, and support is available to help you through this time.

If any of this resonates with you, I warmly encourage you to reach out. Together, we can find the support and understanding you deserve to navigate this journey with hope and strength

Gosh, if only children came with a manual!

Parenting is something we all learn as we go — no one comes fully prepared. Because there’s no manual, it’s natural to fall back on how we were parented ourselves. For some, this feels comfortable and familiar. For others, it can bring up confusion, trauma, or feelings of inadequacy.

Parenthood is a massive life change, and it’s common to feel overwhelmed by how much it impacts your day-to-day life—especially for stay-at-home mothers. Adjustment difficulties are more common than you might think; up to 50% of families experience adjustment disorders (PANDA).

Having someone to listen without judgment, especially when you feel isolated or “ripped off” because your partner is at work and you’re with the children and no other adults, can make a significant difference.

If this sounds familiar, I warmly invite you to reach out. Together, we can explore ways to support you through this important and sometimes challenging transition.

Understanding Loss and Grief

Loss is a universal experience that affects each of us in unique ways. It can be physical or symbolic, but it always involves the absence of someone or something that once held significance in our lives.

Loss takes many forms — the death of a loved one or a pet, the end of a job, the loss of a cherished experience, or even the changing sense of self as you step into a new role, such as parenthood.

Though loss is inevitable, our responses to it—known as grief—are deeply personal and varied. Grief can manifest in many ways, emotionally, socially, and physically, and no two experiences are exactly the same.

Importantly, grief is a normal and natural reaction to loss. It reflects the depth of what was meaningful and is a crucial part of healing and adjustment.

If you find yourself struggling with grief or feeling overwhelmed by loss, please know that support is available. Reaching out can be the first step toward finding comfort, understanding, and hope in this difficult time.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma refers to an overwhelming level of stress caused by deeply distressing or painful experiences. Often, these experiences exceed our capacity to manage, cope with, or fully process the emotions and feelings connected to the event.

Trauma can be recent or rooted in the past. Because of its painful nature, traumatic memories are often stored deep within our unconscious mind, leading us to develop defenses and coping mechanisms to protect ourselves. However, certain events or triggers can unexpectedly bring these memories to the surface, causing us to feel re-traumatized and overwhelmed.

If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions or reactions from past experiences without understanding why, trauma may be a factor to explore in your healing journey.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to reach out. Together, we can gently explore your experience and find ways to support your healing and growth.

Professional Counselling Supervision with Lisa

Lisa is now accepting bookings to provide professional counselling supervision for therapists, with a special focus on perinatal mental health and trauma.

Offering 1-hour supervision sessions, Lisa supports therapists seeking guidance, case consultation, or professional support within their private practice. Supervision is a vital part of ethical and effective practice, helping to reduce professional isolation, enhance clinical skills, and maintain wellbeing. It is also a mandatory requirement by all major associations and registration bodies.

Lisa is a registered clinical member of PACFA and brings over 9 years of experience in mental health, combining her expertise as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist and Credentialed Mental Health Nurse. With formal training in supervision completed, Lisa is ready to support your professional growth.

To discuss your needs before booking, please contact Lisa via mobile or email through this website — let’s explore how we can work together to support your journey.

• Individual sessions only
• Available face-to-face or online
• $160 per hour (tax deductible)