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An Croí Beag

Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Psychotherapy

Perinatal Psychotherapy for Parents & Infants in South Dublin and Online

Perinatal Psychotherapy

What is Perinatal Therapy?

The road to becoming a parent is not always as straightforward or as magical as we might hope. Perinatal psychotherapy is a specialist therapy for parents who have experienced psychological distress on their journey to pregnancy, during pregnancy, birth, or in the post-natal period. I can work with individuals, couples, and infants also. I will be guided by you and go at your pace.

Below is a list of topics I regularly work with in my practice:

Journey to Pregnancy

  • Preparation for birth and parenthood
  • Infertility
  • Your IVF journey
  • Pregnancy loss/miscarriage
  • Still birth
  • Previous trauma

Pregnancy and Perinatal Period

  • Anxiety
  • Tokophobia (fear of birth)
  • Depression and low mood
  • Trauma (birth or otherwise)
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Transition to parenthood
  • Your changing/changed body
  • OCD
  • Feeding and sleep struggles
  • Post adoption
  • Unexpected medical diagnosis
  • Bonding with your baby

Beyond Birth

  • Co- Parenting
  • Preparing siblings
  • Relationship and intimacy difficulties
  • Changes to roles/identity
  • Loss/grief
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Family conflict
  • Parenting a baby/child with an additional need
  • Parenting after trauma
  • Breaking negative family cycles

Trauma Informed Psychotherapy

I provide trauma informed Psychotherapy for individuals struggling with a wide range of difficulties. I will work with you in a way that is supportive and gentle. I recognise that all trauma whether it's big or small is in the eye of the beholder and I work from the stance that you are the expert of your experiences.


I will work with you in a way that is sensitive to trauma, reactions and triggers and which recognises the impact of trauma on the brain and body. Through collaboration and psychoeducation I will support you to understand your experiences and your responses to them, both positive and negative allowing for increased awareness, insight, compassion and change.

Below is a list of topics I regularly work with in my practice:

Anxiety and Mood

  • Generalised anxiety
  • Social anxiety
  • Health anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Depression/low mood

Trauma

  • Childhood trauma
  • Relational trauma
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Post traumatic stress disorder
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder loss/grief life transitions

Relationships and Sexuality

  • Family relationships
  • Conflict
  • Divorce and separation
  • Intimacy
  • Work related stress
  • Friendships

Infant Massage

I am an IAIM Certified infant massage instructor. I regularly run infant massage courses. These courses are 5 weeks in length and are a great opportunity to meet other local parents. Classes are 1 hour and are followed by a tea and chat afterwards.


I also use infant massage in my individual, couple and parent-infant psychotherapy sessions as a tool to support communication and bonding in the parent-infant dyad. Infant massage is a wonderful experience shared between you and your baby. It provides numerous physical, psychological and emotional benefits for babies and families.


Touch is one of the most important early experiences an infant will have. Nurturing touch plays a significant role in how we feel, think and relate to the world and those around us. Infant massage support with parent infant bonding and also co regulation for parent and infant.

It has been shown also to offer:

Relief

  • Helps relieve colic and wind.
  • Helps relieve constipation.
  • Eases teething discomfort.
  • Eases congestion.
  • Speeds myelination of nervous system for better brain-body communication.
  • Helps babies to release emotion and therefore helps relieve emotional stress.

Relaxation

  • Massage soothes a baby.
  • Aids sleep patterns.
  • It is a pleasurable experience for both parent and baby.
  • It releases ‘oxytocin’ (also known as the ‘hormone of love’).
  • Massage helps babies practice handling input and responding to it with relaxation.
  • Enables the release of pent-up tension.
  • Touch relaxation techniques enable parents help their children relax in times of stress.

Stimulation

Studies show that massage impacts and benefits all systems of the body:

  • It stimulates the circulatory system.
  • It speeds myelination of nervous system.
  • It stimulates the lymphatic system.
  • It stimulates and tones the digestive system.


Massage can help to speed development in premature babies:

  • It can help babies to gain weight more easily.
  • It can help babies build up their immunities.
  • It stimulates language skills, as you talk and sing to your baby.
  • It helps with the development of motor skills and coordination.

Interaction

  • Massage helps in the bonding process, building a trust and intimacy between parent and baby that will endure through time.
  • It has been shown to assist mothers in recovery from post-natal depression.
  • Early bonds that are warm and close contribute to positive values and positive adult behaviour.
  • The respectful interaction of massage can help improve a parents ability to understand their baby’s body language and cues.
  • The baby being massaged feels heard and respected which helps them to build confidence and a healthy self-image as they grow.

Get in touch

I understand that coming to therapy can be daunting sometimes so people contact me below if you have any questions or concerns or if you would like to make an appointment.

Alternatively you can reach me on 0871318948.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours and all contact is strictly confidential.

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