Support in early motherhood
Becoming a mother is one of the most profound transitions a woman can experience. The overwhelming sense of change can sometimes feel isolating and the support networks we as women need in this transformative period are not always present. As a counsellor specialising in postnatal support, I offer a safe and compassionate space where you can explore your feelings, concerns, and any difficulties you may be facing in early motherhood. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, adjusting to your new role, or simply need someone to talk to, counselling can help you regain your confidence, well-being and sense of self.
Perinatal & Birth Trauma
According to recent research, anything from 20% to 48% of women describe their birth as traumatic, with a quarter of women in the UK reporting negative birth experiences. In short, you are not alone.
Symptoms of perinatal or birth trauma can have a devastating impact on your day to day functioning, your confidence, your relationships and your ability to bond with your baby. Longer term impacts can include PTSD, depression, anxiety, loss of trust in yourself and in others and fear around having another child.
If any of this sounds familiar, then please get in touch. I am passionate about ensuring new mums get the support they need whether that be conventional talking therapy, or a combination or talking therapy and EMDR.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a highly researched and evidence based psychotherapy treatment designed to treat trauma and can be an incredibly effective tool for supporting women following a traumatic or difficult birth experience.
By reprocessing traumatic or distressing experiences, EMDR can help reduce the emotional charge attached to these memories which in turn can lead to significant relief from symptoms of anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional triggers. EMDR can also improve self-compassion and resilience, helping you to navigate the emotional ups and downs of early motherhood.
EMDR can be used to reduce systems and distress following birth related trauma, alleviate fears of pregnancy and childbirth as well as addressing past traumas which may have resurfaced during pregnancy - and the best thing is, we can often see significant results after only a couple of sessions.
EMDR can either be embedded into an already existing therapeutic relationship, or else as a stand alone intervention. If we are not already seeing each other for counselling, then our first session will be 90 minutes during which we discuss the topic which concerns you and identify the specific experiences we work on. We will also explore and prepare grounding techniques which you can use to cope with any emotional disturbance which may arise during the process. Following this first session, we will schedule another 90 minute session during which we will conduct the bilateral stimulation (EMDR) and discuss any feelings, thoughts and sensations which arise. After this session, I will be able to give you an idea of how many further sessions will be necessary. For some clients, one session of EMDR will be enough to already experience significant change. We would then schedule a final 60 minute follow up session where we examine the success of the treatment and decide whether any additional work is needed.
EMDR | 90 mins | €150
Follow up session | 60 mins | €80