The Support Edit | Part Two
Becoming a parent changes far more than your daily routine. It can change your identity, your relationships, your confidence and the way you experience the world.
While we often prepare for birth and learn how to care for a baby, far fewer parents are prepared for the emotional transition into motherhood. Anxiety, overwhelm, grief, identity shifts, intrusive thoughts, birth trauma and relationship challenges are far more common than many people realise, yet countless mothers wonder if they’re simply expected to cope alone.
The good news is that support exists and it doesn’t have to wait until you’re in crisis.
In this edition of The Support Edit, we’re highlighting five Australian practices supporting mothers and families through the emotional realities of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Each offers something a little different, reminding us that there is no single “right” path to feeling supported.
Pregnancy and birth don’t simply welcome a baby into the world they welcome a new version of you.
Researchers increasingly recognise this transition as matrescence: the physical, emotional, psychological and social transformation that accompanies becoming a mother.
For some women, this transition feels exciting. For others, it can feel confusing, lonely or unexpectedly difficult. Many experience both at the same time.
The important thing to remember is that needing support doesn’t mean something has gone wrong.
Sometimes the greatest gift is simply having someone who understands what you’re carrying.
Many mothers quietly carry thoughts they worry are too difficult, too messy or too shameful to say aloud.
The fear of judgement often keeps women silent at precisely the time they’re most in need of support.
She Speaks Psychology, founded by Dr Pree Benton, offers a space where mothers can bring every part of their experience, not just the polished version.
Grounded in matricentric feminism, Dr Benton recognises motherhood as significant work that deserves understanding, advocacy and specialised care. Her approach helps women explore identity, relationships, emotional wellbeing and the complex realities that accompany becoming a mother.
Sometimes healing begins simply by being fully heard.
Mental health support isn’t only for the postpartum period.
For many families, emotional challenges begin long before pregnancy or continue well beyond the newborn stage.
Lotus Health and Psychology provides specialist perinatal and reproductive mental health care across every stage of the journey, from trying to conceive and fertility treatment through pregnancy, birth, pregnancy loss, postpartum and parenting.
Their team also supports individuals navigating donor conception, surrogacy, LGBTQIA+ family building, single parenthood by choice and involuntary childlessness.
Their work is a reminder that every path to parenthood deserves compassionate, specialised care.
One of the biggest barriers to seeking help is believing someone else needs it more.
Many parents convince themselves they’re “not struggling enough” to deserve support.
The team at Mums Matter Psychology wants families to hear a different message.
With more than 100 clinicians providing bulk-billed and private psychology services both via Telehealth and in person, they support parents from preconception until a child’s fourth birthday.
Importantly, their care extends beyond mothers to include fathers, partners and non-birthing parents, recognising that the wellbeing of the entire family matters.
Support isn’t reserved for crisis—it can also help prevent one.
Life after having children doesn’t always fit neatly into diagnostic boxes.
Sometimes you’re functioning well on the outside while quietly carrying anxiety, overwhelm or constant emotional exhaustion.
Nourished Psychology, led by psychologist Courtney, supports women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting with a compassionate, client-centred approach.
Rather than waiting until life feels unmanageable, Courtney encourages women to seek support whenever they feel they would benefit from having someone alongside them.
You don’t need permission to care for your mental wellbeing.
For some mothers, understanding their experiences intellectually isn’t enough.
They’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts and developed awareness, yet something still feels unresolved.
This is where Fantastic Futures offers a different pathway.
Founder Philippa Scott is a maternal transitions doula, trauma therapist and creator of the Mother Awakening Cycle. Her work supports women navigating trauma, deep emotional patterns and the lasting impact motherhood can have on identity and the nervous system.
Rather than focusing solely on insight, her work helps women experience healing in ways that extend beyond words.
There is no single way to experience motherhood.
Some women benefit from short-term counselling during pregnancy. Others seek support after birth, during relationship challenges or years into parenting.
Some need practical strategies.
Others simply need someone to witness what they’re carrying.
Whatever your experience, seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness.
It’s one of the strongest investments you can make in yourself and your family.
No one should have to navigate motherhood feeling alone.
The businesses featured in this edition of The Support Edit are part of the Not Another Onesie Directory, a carefully curated collection of trusted Australian professionals supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Whether you’re looking for specialised psychology, trauma support or simply someone who understands the emotional realities of becoming a parent, help is available.
Next in the series: When You Need the Village Around You, exploring the postpartum doulas, in-home support providers and care professionals helping families feel held during the early weeks of parenthood.
The recorded video webinar.
What Really Happens in Pregnancy & Motherhood — brain, body, nervous system, relationships, and your baby.
$17 | 1 hour | 4 expert speakers | Available to access now | Watch instantly and come back to it whenever you need.
Real, honest wisdom. The kind that used to get passed down through a village of experienced women.
For years, Bree, a relationship counsellor, founder of Cultivation Counselling, and creator of Me, We, Us, has worked closely with individuals and couples as they navigate the messy, meaningful, and often overwhelming parts of life and relationships.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
Article - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
Seeking support is crucial for your wellbeing and can come in different forms, such as family, friends, and healthcare professionals.
Article - Elise Clement (Elise Clement Psychotherapy & Coaching)
Perfectionism is not a healthy habit. Even less so when it comes to motherhood, unless you’re keen to rub shoulders with overwhelm, resentment, rage and the feeling of never being satisfied, which can eventually lead to maternal burnout.
Article - Claire Dicarlo (From Rad Parents)
A birth debriefing allows you to reflect on and honor your birth experience, whether it was joyful or challenging. This supportive process provides a safe space to process emotions, gain clarity, and find closure as you step into parenthood with confidence. Your birth story deserves to be heard. This post shows how a compassionate birth debriefing session can help you process your experience, find closure, and step into parenthood with clarity and support.
Article - Narelle Dickinson ( Lotus Health and Psychology)
Mental health during pregnancy and postpartum is something many mothers don’t expect to struggle with, but it's more common than we think. In this interview with Lotus Health and Psychology, we explore what perinatal mental health support really looks like, why anxiety is often overlooked, and how to take the first steps even when you feel like you’re running on empty. Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or years into motherhood, these insights might be the nudge you didn’t know you needed.
Article - Ana Ristov (Lively Lifestyle Psychology)
Most people plan for birth with a detailed birth plan, but what about a postpartum care plan? Talking openly before your baby is born about expectations, responsibilities, and emotional support can make the adjustment smoother. From who’s doing the night feeds to how you’ll support each other through exhaustion, these conversations are essential for protecting your partnership, strengthening your mental health, and laying the foundation for a connected family.
