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PERINATAL PSYCHOLOGIST SUTHERLAND SHIRE
Therapy for Mothers and Mothers-To-Be
Motherhood is supposed to be all about happiness and snuggles, right? A time of “falling even more in love every day” with your child? Well, not always. In fact, if you identify as a bit of a perfectionist, adjusting to motherhood can feel extra hard because there is so much out of your control, and you may lean toward blaming yourself when things go wrong.
During our first meeting, a new mum typically feels nervous yet relieved when confessing her experience of motherhood. This experience typically sounds like, “I thought I’d love being a mother, I’ve always wanted to be one, but I find I’m having moments where I'm angry, or sad, or just don’t enjoy it”.
The reality is that it is okay to admit that motherhood is a whirlwind of tough emotions - and you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed.
Working with a psychologist experienced in prenatal and postnatal issues, you can learn to develop the necessary self-compassion you need to treat yourself with the same understanding, warmth, and kindness that you so often extend to everyone around you.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
Common Statements From Mothers Who Start Therapy
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I have scary thoughts that I can't control.
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I feel disconnected from my baby and don't know why.
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I don't feel confident in my new role as a mother.
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I need help processing my traumatic birth.
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I need help but can't advocate for what I need.
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I feel pushed to my limits and find myself getting angry all the time.
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I feel resentful toward my partner for not sharing the load.
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I'm plagued by guilt that I'm not doing enough for my children.
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I thought motherhood would come naturally, but I feel lost.
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I can't seem to accept my postpartum body.
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I constantly feel judged by others, and it's overwhelming.
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How do I integrate pre-baby parts of me with new me?
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I'm constantly overstimulated and don't know how to regulate my emotions.
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I feel buried under the mental load of parenthood.
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I never feel like a good enough parent/wife/friend.
OVERCOME SELF-DOUBT AND FIND SUPPORT
Find Peace and Confidence in Motherhood
Imagine feeling empowered to face each day with confidence in yourself as a mother, fully supported in navigating the highs and lows of this new role. Therapy can offer you a safe, understanding space to unpack those overwhelming feelings, whether they’re rooted in birth trauma, self-doubt, or feeling stretched too thin. Instead of facing these challenges alone, you’ll have support to process difficult experiences, build self-advocacy, and reconnect with the resilient, capable parts of yourself.
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Picture having tools to calm the racing thoughts, manage overwhelming emotions, and find a sense of stability even when life feels chaotic. Therapy can help you learn ways to regulate emotions, set boundaries that protect your energy, and rebuild your relationship with yourself. Step by step, you can start to feel more grounded, whether it’s learning to accept your postpartum body or integrating the unique parts of who you were before motherhood with who you are now.
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Imagine letting go of the weight of “never enough” and finding freedom to embrace what’s truly meaningful to you. Therapy can help you reframe your self-expectations, shifting from feeling inadequate to recognising the genuine effort and love you bring to each relationship in your life. As you work through these challenges, you’ll build a foundation of self-compassion that allows you to show up for your family and yourself with more joy and less guilt.
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HOW WE CAN HELP
Support for Mothers at Tender Studio
Our Sutherland Shire psychologists provide evidence-based psychological interventions for mothers, new mothers, and mothers-to-be both in-person and via telehealth for issues such as:
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Navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
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Prenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety
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Grief surrounding infertility, miscarriages, and infant loss
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Motherhood weighed down by perfectionism and self-doubt
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Breaking generational patterns
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Handling mum guilt
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Mothers trying to adjust to the stress and struggle of parenthood
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Parents in the trying to conceive or adoption process
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Healing from unresolved traumas
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Managing intrusive thoughts
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Navigating postnatal and maternal rage
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Adjusting from being a couple to being parents
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​We help mothers rediscover the joy in motherhood by creating space to explore and release feelings of guilt, by examining rigid rules and assumptions that can make motherhood feel like a list of shoulds and musts, and by replacing unhelpful beliefs about yourself with healthier and more accurate ways of thinking.
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Together, we’ll also develop practical skills to navigate day-to-day challenges with greater ease, helping you let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace small wins. By addressing guilt and nurturing self-compassion, you’ll find yourself better able to be present in the moments that matter and enjoy motherhood in a way that feels both fulfilling and sustainable.
