Support for
The perinatal period is a major transition. Support that meets you where you are.
Support during pregnancy, postnatal adjustment, and the early parenting years — for birthing parents, partners, and carers.
Key information you should know
- One in five women and one in ten men experience perinatal depression or anxiety.
- Getting support early makes a significant difference for both parent and baby.
- Our clinicians are experienced in perinatal mental health and take a whole-family approach.
Signs you might benefit from perinatal mental health support
- Persistent anxiety or worry about the pregnancy, birth, or baby
- Low mood or depression that doesn't lift in the weeks after birth
- Difficulty bonding with your baby despite wanting to
- Intrusive thoughts about harm coming to you or the baby
- Feeling overwhelmed, out of control, or like you're failing
- Birth trauma — intrusive memories or fear about the birth experience
How therapy can help with perinatal mental health
Pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood bring enormous change. Anxiety, low mood, birth trauma, intrusive thoughts, and difficulty bonding are more common than many people expect, including among partners and non-birthing parents.
Perinatal support at Succoris is non-judgemental and practical. Therapy can reduce distress, strengthen coping, and help you feel more like yourself while caring for a baby. Early support often benefits the whole family.
Psychologists who support perinatal mental health
5 psychologists with experience in perinatal mental health.
Accepting new clientsBook with GraceDr Grace Hayes
Clinical Psychologist
Grace is an experienced psychologist who supports clients across the lifespan to work towards meaningful therapeutic outcomes. She brings a thoughtful, non-judgemental approach with a special interest in perinatal mental health.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Kristy Ward
Psychologist & Director
Kristy is a warm, highly experienced psychologist who brings nearly two decades of clinical practice to helping people feel understood, supported and confident as they work towards meaningful change.
2 clinics
Accepting new clientsBook with MaiaraMaiara Kunzler
Psychologist
Maiara is passionate about creating a safe, warm, and collaborative space where clients feel supported, respected, and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.
2 clinics
Nikita Kettlewell
Clinical Psychologist & Clinic Manager
Nikita works collaboratively with clients to identify goals and strategies for each individual, using a warm, empathic and non-judgemental approach. She has a background in individual and group therapy.
Works from Succoris Bendigo
Accepting new clientsBook with SumairaSumaira Yousaf
Psychologist
Sumaira Yousaf is a registered General Psychologist with extensive international clinical experience across Australia and the UAE. She works with children, adolescents, adults, and families with a warm, strengths-focused approach.
Works from Succoris Sunbury
Common questions about perinatal mental health
What is perinatal mental health?
Perinatal mental health covers emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year after birth, for birthing parents, partners, and carers. This is a time of enormous change, and anxiety, low mood, and adjustment difficulties are common. Around one in five mothers and one in ten fathers experience perinatal depression or anxiety. These experiences are common and treatable, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not failure.
How do I know if I need help, rather than just adjusting to a new baby?
Adjusting to a baby is hard, and some ups and downs are expected. It is worth reaching out if low mood, anxiety, irritability, or intrusive thoughts persist for more than two weeks, feel intense, or affect your ability to function or bond with your baby. Getting support early helps both you and your child. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, contact your GP, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or emergency services right away.
What support is available for perinatal mental health?
Psychological therapy can help you manage anxiety and low mood, adjust to parenthood, and strengthen your wellbeing and connection with your baby. Approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness-based strategies are commonly used and adapted for this life stage. Our clinicians take a whole-family view and can work with partners too. Where helpful, we coordinate with your GP, midwife, or maternal and child health nurse.
Can I access perinatal support through Medicare or telehealth?
Yes. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan may provide Medicare rebates on individual sessions, and no referral is needed to book with us. Telehealth can be especially helpful with a new baby, and is available across Australia. Contact us and we can match you with a psychologist experienced in perinatal mental health, and talk through appointment options that fit around your family.
What is the difference between baby blues and postnatal depression?
The baby blues are very common in the first days after birth, bringing tearfulness, mood swings, and feeling overwhelmed, and they usually settle within about two weeks without treatment. Postnatal depression is more persistent and intense, lasting beyond a couple of weeks and affecting your ability to function, enjoy things, or bond with your baby. If low mood or anxiety is not lifting, it is worth speaking with your GP or a psychologist.
Prefer to reach out directly? We're happy to help.