Perinatal Psychology

The perinatal journey - from conception through pregnancy and into the first year of parenthood - is often described as one of life’s most significant transitions. While it can be a time of joy and anticipation, it can also stir up deep emotions too.

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For some individuals or couples, the journey may begin with difficulty: fertility struggles, the emotional toll of assisted reproductive treatments, or the heartbreak of loss. These experiences can feel invisible or misunderstood - yet they leave lasting emotional imprints that deserve space, care, and support.

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Even in healthy pregnancies and births, the postnatal period brings its own complexities. Becoming a parent involves more than caring for a baby - it often reshapes one’s sense of identity, relationships, and purpose. This process is known as matrescence: the psychological and emotional transformation that accompanies the transition into motherhood. Sometimes referred to as 'the birth of the Mother'. Much like adolescence, it is a time of profound growth, hormonal shifts, and internal upheaval - one that is powerful, often messy, and not always openly acknowledged.

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You may find yourself grieving the loss of who you once were, questioning your capacity, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the relentless demands of caregiving. For many couples, it’s also a time of renegotiating roles, intimacy, communication, and connection.

 

Psychological support during this time can be a valuable space to reflect, regroup, and navigate these layered experiences with compassion and clarity. Therapy offers tools to manage emotional distress, process grief or trauma, and reconnect with your evolving identity as both a parent and a person.

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We support clients through a wide range of perinatal challenges, including: