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Areas of expertise
Perinatal Mental Health
The perinatal period encompasses planning and trying for a baby (including fertility issues, IVF or other complex journeys to becoming pregnant commonly experienced by LGBQT+ communities), and antenatal period (including pain, severe pregnancy sickness (Hyperemesis Gravidarum), pregnancy loss of any kind, including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination,), labour and birth (including birth trauma, still birth) and postnatal stages (including difficulties with bonding, infant loss, parenting challenges etc.).
The perinatal period is a time of hope, challenge, and reflection; involving multiple physical, emotional and social transitions. As such, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions. On average, 1 in 5 people struggle with mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression. Fathers are often affected too, but less likely to seek support. Many worry that speaking up about their struggles means they’re not a “good parent.”
I want you to know that you are not alone, and struggling during this period does not mean you are failing. All too often, we ‘keep going’ or ‘soldier on’ through difficult times, and accessing support can be daunting. If you’re reading this and considering accessing support, this is a sign of your commitment to yourself and to those that matter to you.
I help people who are experiencing difficulties during the perinatal period. This includes those affected by birth trauma and PTSD, perinatal loss, tokophobia (fear of childbirth), maternal anxiety and OCD, antenatal and/or postpartum depression, maternal rage and anger, ‘mummy guilt’, emotional overwhelm and anger, or struggles adjusting to parenthood. I also offer specialist perinatal mental health support to non-birthing partners, who may be affected by perinatal mental health.
The perinatal period can also unexpectedly bring up memories and emotions from your own childhood and your experiences of being parented. It can be hard to find a space to talk through the impact of these experiences. Therapy can provide a safe space to reflect and process, and to help identify your values and how they may help to guide you in your relationship with yourself, enhance your attunement and sensitivity to your pregnancy or baby, and/or strengthen other meaningful relationships.
How therapy could help you:
Prioritising a compassionate and personalised approach, I aim to ensure you feel safe to explore your difficulties whilst we work together on your specific needs. I am skilled in a range of evidence-based therapies allowing us the flexibility to effectively address your concerns. Some of the benefits clients experience include:
- Increasing the ability to manage symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and/or trauma.
- Building self-efficacy and coping strategies.
- Navigating difficult feelings, such as guilt and shame, while making space for anger and frustration.
- Enhancing relationships with your baby, partner, and support system.
- Increasing self-compassion and confidence.
You don’t have to be in crisis to seek support. Attending to your needs through talking therapy can help you, and those around you, to navigate through life transitions and challenges, nurturing balance and emotional well-being.
Trauma & PTSD
People often think trauma only comes from major life-threatening events. In reality, it can come from any experience that feels overwhelming, frightening, or deeply distressing. What matters most is one’s own subjective experience and its effect on you. Trauma is deeply personal, which is why I take a compassionate, flexible approach to trauma therapy.
I use evidence-based trauma therapies, like Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), to help process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity. Together, we work on restoring your sense of safety, self-worth, and connection with others.
The benefits of trauma-focused therapies include:
- Reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance and avoidance.
- Helping you feel calmer, more in control, and less triggered by past events.
- Improving your ability to engage fully in life, relationships, and activities you value.
- Empowering you to rewrite your narrative, focusing on growth and healing.
Trauma responses are connected to how the human brain evolved to respond to distressing situations. With the right support, healing is possible, and you can regain a sense of peace and stability in your life.
Emotional Difficulties & Life Transitions
Not all emotional struggles fit neatly into a diagnosis, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t real or are undeserving of support. Life experiences (wanted and unwanted) can bring up unexpected emotions and disrupt your sense of stability. You might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to cope with new responsibilities and/or unexpected realities. Experiencing these emotions in the face of difficult life events is common, and whether you have a diagnosable mental health condition or not, therapy can offer you a space to process what you’re going through, make sense of your emotions, and develop new coping strategies that fit this stage of your life.
You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit. Seeking support early can help, prevent issues from escalating, and help you to navigate life challenges with increased confidence and self-compassion.
How therapy can help:
- Helps you manage emotions and build healthy coping strategies.
- Build confidence in navigating the ups and downs of life.
- Prevents stress from affecting your work and relationships.
- Gives you space to talk openly and process your thoughts without judgment.
- Supports you to maintain healthy habits around diet, sleep, and exercise.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to feel more confident in handling whatever life throws your way.
My approach to treatment
Thank you for taking this first step towards looking after your well-being. Reaching out for support can feel daunting, especially with the stigma that still surrounds mental health. My role is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore what’s going on at your own pace, without pressure.
I believe therapy should be tailored to you. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to mental health. Rather than deciding on a set treatment plan straight away, I draw from different models to find what works best for you. I’m trained in the following evidence-based therapeutic approaches:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Your first consultation
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so our first session is about helping you feel comfortable. We’ll begin with a chat about how therapy works, what’s brought you here, and what you’d like to get from our sessions. You don’t need to have all the answers, we’ll figure things out together.
I won’t prescribe a fixed therapy type straight away. Instead, we’ll explore different options to create a personalised approach that suits your needs. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s next. But most importantly, I want you to leave feeling heard, supported, and reassured that you’re in the right place.
What you can expect:
- A warm, welcoming space where you can share as much or as little as you want.
- Gentle, open-ended questions to help you explore what’s on your mind.
- No pressure to discuss anything before you’re ready.
- A strengths-based approach to build confidence and hope.
- A chance to ask any questions and be involved in creating your treatment plan.
Personalised treatment plans
Everyone’s experience is different, so it makes sense for treatment to be so too. I take the time to understand what matters to you, working together to set meaningful goals and find an approach that fits your needs, preferences, and personal values. Treatment plans aren’t fixed—they evolve with you. If at any time something doesn’t feel right, we can adapt the plan based on your feedback.
I take a holistic approach to mental health, meaning we can explore areas like sleep, movement, and social support. While I don’t offer medical or nutritional advice, I can help you identify practical changes that might support your mental health. This might involve improving sleep hygiene, understanding barriers to exercise, or strengthening your support system. I can also collaborate with other professionals, such as psychiatrists or dietitians, to ensure therapy aligns with your wider treatment plan.
Medication
As a clinical psychologist, I don’t prescribe medication. But I do recognise its valuable role in mental health treatment, especially when combined with therapy. If medication is part of your care, I can work collaboratively with your doctor or psychiatrist to ensure it aligns with your overall treatment plan.
Education & Training
I am a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I have 20 years of experience across the NHS, private sector, and international settings. My expertise lies in perinatal mental health, trauma-informed care, and service development.
I am currently the Clinical Lead for Perinatal TLC (Trauma and Loss Care) at Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Previously, I worked at The Gidget Foundation in Sydney, Australia, supporting parents with perinatal mental health difficulties. I also served as Lead Clinical Psychologist in an NHS Community Perinatal Team, where I helped establish and develop psychology services. Earlier in my career, I worked in Adult Community and Inpatient Mental Health Teams, delivering therapy for complex mental health conditions.
I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) from Canterbury Christ Church University, alongside a Master’s degree in Foundations of Clinical Psychology (MSc) from the University of Wales, Bangor. Alongside clinical work, I am involved in training, supervision, and service development to improve access to integrated, compassionate and evidence-based perinatal mental health care.
Qualifications & Certifications
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) – Canterbury Christ Church University
- MSc Foundations of Clinical Psychology – University of Wales, Bangor
- BSc Psychology – University of Essex
- Specialist Training in Perinatal Clinical Psychology – University of Exeter
- Prolonged Grief Disorder Therapy – Columbia University
- Attachment-Informed EMDR – EMDR Focus
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) for Complex Cases – Compassionate Mind
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Training – British Isles DBT Training & Southern Health NHS Trust
- Schema Therapy, ACT for Loss and Grief, and Video Interaction Guidance – Various accredited providers
Personal interests
Football, piano, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
