Karen O’Mara – Perinatal and Parenting Support
About Karen O’Mara – Perinatal and Parenting Support
Karen O’Mara is a dedicated clinical social worker specialising in general women’s and perinatal counselling, mothers groups focusing on emotional experiences, and Circle of Security® Parenting™ programs to support and empower parents to develop knowledge and skills to meet their children’s emotional needs.
Karen is based at Gather, by Kindred at Norman Park. Gather is little sister to Kindred Midwifery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology at East Brisbane.
Karen has expertise working with hundreds of mothers over nearly 30 years in the areas of perinatal and parenting support, grief, loss and trauma, as well as baby sleep science and breastfeeding as an NDC practitioner with Possums Clinic, a Parenthood and Family Relationship Guide with Elly Taylor’s Becoming Us, and a Circle of Security Parenting program facilitator.
With a compassionate approach and evidence-based methods, Karen’s work focuses on supporting mothers to process their births and the transition to motherhood. She offers a nurturing space where women can navigate tricky life transitions, and parents can find understanding, support, and practical tools to navigate the complexities of raising children.
Areas of expertise
Perinatal counselling – birth trauma, grief and loss including breastfeeding, transition to motherhood, managing newborn AND toddler, relationships with partners and family, depression and anxiety.
General counselling – childhood trauma and the impacts on mothering. Parenting through the Circle of Security lens.
Company values
Accessibility
Diversity & Inclusion
Sustainability
Women Owned
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Sage Nest
I’m Joanna, a mother of two and the founder of Sage Nest—a boutique wellness practice based in Newcastle, NSW. My work focuses on supporting women through the transformative stages of pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery with care that is both holistic and deeply nurturing.
I’ve been in clinical practice since 2004 and bring together a unique blend of therapies to support the health and wellbeing of mothers and their families. My approach is integrative and evidence-informed, combining Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Massage Therapy, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, and the Body Ready Method® to offer well-rounded care tailored to each individual.
At the Sage Nest, I provide support that spans the entire motherhood journey—from managing early pregnancy symptoms and preparing for an empowered birth, to gentle, restorative care in the fourth trimester and beyond. Each session is personalised to address not just the physical, but also the emotional and energetic shifts that come with matrescence.
Birth preparation is a particular focus of my work. I help women feel physically aligned, emotionally grounded, and mentally ready for labour and birth. My sessions may include acupuncture, bodywork, breath techniques, acupressure, body alignment and partner-inclusive education to build confidence and reduce fear. Whether you’re planning your first birth or looking for support after a previous experience, I create a space where you feel informed, prepared, and supported.
For new mothers needing extra support, I also offer postpartum home visits across the Newcastle region. These sessions bring hands-on care, comfort, and therapeutic treatments to your doorstep during a time when leaving the house can feel overwhelming. It’s a beautiful way to receive nurturing support in your own familiar space while you rest and recover.
I love helping women feel more confident in themselves and their mothering. It’s a privilege to witness mothers reach their goals, feel more at ease, and reconnect with themselves during this powerful life transition. It’s an honour to support that process.
Learn about the support you didn't know you needed.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
Watch - Elisha Wildblood and Louise Barton (Not Another Onesie)
In Conversation With Dr Renee White from Fill Your Cup
Untethered: the raw truth of identity shift in motherhood.
eBook - Katie Blakely (Katie Blakely Wellness)
The Postpartum Nutrition Guide for Mamas
Hey Mama, are you preparing for postpartum? Or have you just had a bub and wondering how to manage this time, supporting yourself while you nourish and support your bub? This little eBook aims to help you feel prepared for postpartum, provide tips to support yourself, understand the nutritional requirements that come with postpartum, and to help you reach these goals.
Article - Shaily Nadav (Kavanah Care)
A Sacred Space for Postpartum Recovery
In our ongoing series spotlighting the incredible services in our Not Another Onesie village, we spoke with the heart and hands behind Kavanah Care, a wellness sanctuary offering postpartum support and bodywork that feels like a warm exhale for mothers in their most tender chapter.
Article - Claire Dicarlo (From Rad Parents)
Every New Parent Should Have The Gift of A Birth Debrief
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)
Is This Normal? The Emotional Rollercoaster of Pregnancy and Motherhood.
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.