Important information for referring practitioners
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS - YOUR COUNSELLING OPTIONS updated 29th October 2020
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS - PSYCHOLOGISTS' TIPS FOR COPING
COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS - PSYCHOLOGISTS' TIPS FOR COPING
Welcome
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The Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network is a professional collaboration of Psychologists who support women, men and couples through conception, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years.
Known for our expertise, and dedication to the field of perinatal mental health, we are committed to providing care that is compassionate, non-judgemental and evidence-based. The childbearing years are full of challenges. If you are struggling as a hopeful, expectant, or new parent, we are here to help you find the support you need. Our Psychologists are contactable directly on their mobile phone numbers. Please scroll down to choose your Psychologist and call her directly. We trust this initial contact with your selected Psychologist, will assist you to feel as comfortable as possible when taking the first step towards reaching out for help. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY HIGH VOLUME OF REFERRALS. FOR THE PSYCHOLOGISTS WHOSE BOOKS ARE STILL OPEN, WAIT LISTS ARE LONGER THAN USUAL. OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES. Dr Renée Miller Principal Clinical Psychologist & Founder |
About usOur Network is a collective of independently practising perinatal Psychologists located in a number of areas around Melbourne and Victoria. Our Psychologists have exceptional training and extensive experience working with women, men and couples (including same-sex and gender diverse couples) struggling with issues relating to conception, fertility, pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, perinatal loss, and the early parenting years. 
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Counselling for...
Why people seek helpTrying to fall pregnant, pregnancy, and new parenthood, can involve a multitude of physical and emotional stressors. Many women, men and couples are affected by anxiety, stress, depression, worry, exhaustion, grief, or adjustment difficulties during these times. |
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When Perinatal Psychiatry is required
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Some women (and men) require additional assessment or ongoing support from specialist pregnancy and postnatal Psychiatrists. If you have a history or family history of serious mental health conditions (e.g. psychosis, bipolar disorder), you may want to talk to your GP about a referral to a Perinatal Psychiatrist. We work closely with some of Melbourne's leading Perinatal Psychiatrists. These Psychiatrists provide assessment, treatment and medication (where necessary) within a framework of safety and well-being for both mother and baby, during pregnancy and the postnatal period. |
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Postnatal psychosis
If you are a friend or family member of a new mother whose mental health appears to be deteriorating rapidly, be aware of the critical emergency that is postnatal psychosis. If the new mother seems to be losing touch with reality and behaving in uncharacteristic ways, she may be developing postnatal psychosis which has a rapid onset, and needs to be assessed immediately.
Postnatal psychosis is a rare condition that can result in harm to the woman or her infant.
Immediate medical help and hospital admission is required. To know more about postnatal psychosis, visit
Centre of Perinatal Excellence.
Postnatal psychosis is a rare condition that can result in harm to the woman or her infant.
Immediate medical help and hospital admission is required. To know more about postnatal psychosis, visit
Centre of Perinatal Excellence.
Finding your Psychologist
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We understand that seeking help can feel daunting, which is why we provide a warm and personalised service whereby direct, confidential contact is made with the Psychologist of your choosing. Please read more about our Psychologists and their locations, below. When you have selected a Psychologist, please phone the Psychologist directly to briefly discuss your needs, to enquire about availability, fees and rebates, to determine whether her style of practice is compatible with what you are seeking, and to book your appointment/s. To support you further, we provide evidence-based, helpful resources on motherhood and parenting. You can read our information posts here, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. |
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More about our Psychologists
You can rest assured that the Psychologist you choose has the specific training and experience necessary to assist with the particular difficulties that arise around conception, pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. All of our Psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Professional criteria for inclusion in our Network is maintained at the highest standard.
Dedicated to staying professionally up to date, we support research into perinatal mental health, and we coordinate and participate in the professional development of allied health professionals through Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Professionals Networks (MHPNs). We also work closely with community services that support you. All of our Psychologists are members of The Perinatal Loss Centre, providing counselling to women and couples at all stages of pregnancy loss.
Meet our Psychologists
SOUTH EAST & BAYSIDE
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Dr Renée Miller (Principal) is a Clinical Psychologist who conducted doctoral research on postnatal depression, anxiety and stress in first-time mothers. Renée has worked for over twenty years exclusively with women and couples facing difficulties with conception, pregnancy, birth, postnatal adjustment, reproductive loss, and pregnancy/parenting after loss. Renée established the Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network in order to facilitate a high quality, Melbourne-wide, perinatal psychology service that provides timely assistance to women and couples in need. In a culture saturated with pregnancy and parenting 'dos and don'ts', Renée is a passionate advocate for the dissemination of evidence-based, emotionally nourishing information for pregnant women and new parents. To this end, Renée curates our Facebook page where she posts meaningful and responsible articles for hopeful, expectant and new parents. Renée more recently established an Instagram account where she posts brief tips for parents. Read more... Renée's books are currently closed for new referrals. |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Megan Andrew has worked as a Clinical Psychologist in the perinatal field for 13 years, both in maternity hospital outpatient settings and in private practice. She has provided individual and group-based treatment for women and families experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, difficulties adjusting to parenthood, parent-infant relationship difficulties, and reproductive grief and loss. Among various evidence-based therapeutic approaches, Megan has a particular interest in helping women (and men) tackle self-criticism, overly high expectations, self-doubt and feelings of shame, using a Compassion-Focussed approach to therapy. This is particularly relevant for people struggling with anxiety and stress around fertility, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and early parenting. Megan is actively involved in speaking to groups of new mothers about parenting within a Circle of Security framework. Read more… Megan's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0423 966 093 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Michelle Kornblum is a Clinical Psychologist who for the past 17 years, has worked with women, men and couples in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and the postnatal periods, and has assisted many new parents in their early parenting. Having worked at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, Michelle continues her keen interest in enhancing the parent-child relationship especially when postnatal depression, anxiety or stress may be hindering these relationships. Michelle brings particular experience from her clinical background in eating disorders, assisting women when the re-emergence of eating disordered thoughts and behaviors affect their pregnancies or their postnatal well- being. Read more... Michelle's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0421 647 856 |
TELEHEALTH
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Bianca Whiteman holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology, with research focussing on an Australian perinatal informational support service for new parents. Bianca sees women and couples who have sadly lost pregnancies, experienced stillbirth, who are working through tough decisions in the face of pregnancy anomalies, as well as those who are experiencing infertility and assisted reproduction. She draws from a background of volunteering on the 'front line' of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, having provided supportive counselling to women and families on the PANDA helpline. In her private practice, Bianca sees women who are experiencing depression, anxiety or stress in pregnancy and the postnatal period. Bianca is a registered Circle of Security parent educator, helping parents to establish and maintain secure relationships with their babies and toddlers. Read more... Bianca's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0431 029 134 |
TELEHEALTH
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Gillian Snow information coming soon... Gillian's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0419 829 828 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Karola Belton conducted masters and doctoral research on pregnancy and parenting after IVF treatment. For the past fifteen years Karola has supported women and couples experiencing antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, pregnancy loss and grief, and adjustment to pregnancy and parenting. She has a special interest in working with women and couples experiencing conception difficulties, undergoing assisted reproductive treatments, and managing the impact of infertility. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0409 285 355 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Gwyneth (Gwyn) Rees is a psychologist who initially trained in Health Psychology in the UK and more recently undertook her Clinical Psychology training in Australia. She has specialist training in perinatal mental health and has worked with women and their families experiencing depression, anxiety, adjustment to parenting as well as grief and loss. Gwyn believes that the transition to parenthood can be a turbulent time and that parenting is one of the hardest jobs there is. She therefore seeks to provide a warm, respectful and non-judgement space for sharing and reflection. With a strong research background in psychology, she is committed to using evidence-based approaches to compassionately assist people with their challenges and facilitate personal growth. Read more... Gwyn's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0419 560 585 |
INNER EAST
TELEHEALTH
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Hettie Dubow holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and an additional Graduate Diploma in Infant Mental Health. Hettie has worked in perinatal mental health (both in private practice and in parent-infant units) for many years. Hettie has a particular interest in working with parents to strengthen their relationships with their infants, especially when a parent is struggling with depression, anxiety or adjustment problems. Hettie also works with women during pregnancy, and following reproductive loss and trauma. Hettie is a sought-after educator and clinical supervisor to practitioners in the perinatal field. Read more... Hettie's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0437 191 541 |
TELEHEALTH
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Anna Costello holds a Masters of Clinical Psychology and has conducted two research studies pertinent to her work in perinatal mental health. Her fourth year thesis focused on parent-child attachment and her Masters thesis on the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder in new fathers. For ten years, Anna worked at Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA), where she gained considerable knowledge and skills in the area of perinatal mental health. Anna treats psychological problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period, related to anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, hoarding disorder, past- and birth-trauma, cancer diagnoses, persistent pain and emotional regulation. Anna also provides couples therapy to new parents whose relationships are experiencing difficulties surrounding fertility issues, loss, or new parenting. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0466 430 799 |
TELEHEALTH
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Yolanda Romeo holds two Clinical Masters degrees – one in adult clinical psychology, and the other in child and adolescent clinical psychology. With further training in the Graduate Diploma of Parent-Infant Mental Health, Yolanda brings many years experience working with women in pregnancy and the postnatal period, as well as with parents of infants, parents of older children, and the children themselves. In her private practice, Yolanda works with perinatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma, perinatal loss, bonding and attachment issues, as well as helping parents deal with family of origin issues and emotional issues that emerge during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0419 808 160 |
TELEHEALTH
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Vickey Annakis is a Clinical Psychologist and a Family Therapist. Vickey brings to the Network a wealth of experience in the perinatal field. With over 30 years in private practice, including eight years in a Mother-baby unit, Vickey works with women, men, couples and families who are experiencing difficulties during the antenatal and postnatal periods. These include difficulties with fertility, conception, pregnancy, or birth, adjustment to pregnancy or the postnatal period, reproductive loss. In addition, she works with clients struggling with issues related to family of origin experiences, previous trauma, grief and loss. Read more... Vickey's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0407 680 792 |
OUTER EAST
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Delwyn Carpenter is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked with pregnant and postnatal women in inpatient, outpatient and private settings. Bringing 15 years experience to our network, Delwyn sees women (and men) with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders. Delwyn assists mothers and fathers in adjusting to parenthood, with parent/infant relationship difficulties, parenting stress, birth trauma, reproductive loss and grief, and infertility. Read more... Delwyn's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0423 766 274 |
NORTH
TELEHEALTH
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Emily D’Amour is a Clinical Psychologist with specific expertise in perinatal mental health. With a background in working with young families at the Royal Children’s Hospital, and the Austin Statewide Child Inpatient Unit, Emily developed an interest in supporting parents in the early years of parenting. Emily sees the vital importance of attuned parenting in the early childhood years to ameliorate later life struggles for children. Emily is passionate about working with expectant and new parents to support their mental health during the vulnerable years of childbearing. Emily has particular clinical expertise in treating clients for antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety (with a special interest in obsessive-compulsive disorder and perfectionism), eating disorders and body image concerns. Emily provides therapy to address the experience of both past and birth-related trauma, and she compassionately supports women and couples through their conception journeys, through fertility difficulties, IVF, and perinatal loss. Read more... 0466 620 977 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Kate Caldwell completed both a PhD and Master of Psychology (Clinical) at The University of Melbourne. During her studies, Kate worked as a provisional Psychologist at the Royal Women’s Hospital where she developed a keen interest in perinatal psychology. With this background, Kate continued to undertake further perinatal training, seeing the importance of helping women and couples deal with the stressors associated with trying to conceive, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and new parenthood - in particular, the value of establishing good connections between parents and children as early as possible. Read more... Kate's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0421 655 742 |
TELEHEALTH ONLY
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Melissa Lagozzino is a Clinical Psychologist who brings over a decade of experience to our Network. Melissa has worked in two private hospital perinatal mental health units as well as with perinatal clients in private practice. Melissa supports women and couples throughout pre-conception, pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, the early parenting years, and through the pain of grief and loss at these times. Melissa has a special interest in supporting members of the queer community in the challenges that come with forming their families. Melissa brings a deep understanding of the extra set of challenges that this journey can bring for queer parents-to-be and for queer parents. Read more... Melissa's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0419 154 239 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Melanie Quinn holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and brings a background in working on the 'front line' at the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline. Melanie sees women and couples struggling with infertility, and with other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress. Melanie has lectured Counselling Psychology Masters students in grief and loss, and works compassionately with parents who have sadly lost babies. Melanie is trained in EMDR therapy to help people process birth and other traumas. Melanie is also a registered Circle of Security Parent Educator which provides a basis for helping parents to better understand their behaviours, to better communicate and respond to their baby/child's need, and to build secure long term relationships. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0401 585 484 |
NORTH EAST
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Tania Slaviero is a Clinical Psychologist with a background in a variety of mental health settings, as well as a prior decade of primary school teaching. In her private practice in Bulleen, Tania specialises in providing support with family planning, pregnancy, parenting and loss. Tania has worked at Mitcham Private Hospital Perinatal Mental Health Unit providing care for women with mental health conditions that develop or exacerbate during pregnancy or after birth. Tania has also been a Locum in the residential unit at the Mercy Health O’Connell Family Centre supporting new mothers experiencing difficulties with their newborns and toddlers. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0432 448 699 |
WEST
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Shikkiah de Quadros-Wander is a Clinical Psychologist who following her training at the Infant Clinic at the Austin Hospital, worked at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service. Shikkiah provides assessments and therapy to parents, infants, and couples in the antenatal and postnatal periods. Shikkiah works with antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, trauma, attachment, and parenting difficulties. Shikkiah has a special interest in working with parents who have experienced a pregnancy loss, and who are adjusting to pregnancy after loss. Read more... Shikkiah's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0416 806 011 |
TELEHEALTH
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Tonia Bainbridge is a Clinical Psychologist who works specifically with mothers and fathers who are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress, difficulties in the transition to parenthood, parenting of infants and young children, pregnancy uncertainty/decision making, and pregnancy grief and loss. Tonia is particularly interested in supporting parents to develop healthy relationships with their children through the acquisition of new skills and enhanced self awareness in their parenting. With a background in hospital, university and private settings, Tonia brings seven years of expertise in working with conception-, pregnancy-, and parenting-related difficulties. Read more... Tonia's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0405 933 088 |
TELEHEALTH
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Megan Mellington brings a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors, where she worked with children and their parents to develop healthy relationships. Megan holds a Masters of Counselling Psychology as well as a Graduate Diploma in Parent and Infant Mental Health from the University of Melbourne. In addition to supporting new parents in their adjustment to parenthood, she provides compassionate care to women and couples who have experienced reproductive and pregnancy losses and to those who have received difficult diagnoses in pregnancy or after birth. Megan treats antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety and stress and birth-trauma, and she supports parents experiencing difficulties bonding with their baby, and with parenting challenges that arise in the early years. Read more... 8658 8950 |
TELEHEALTH
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Kanthi Sayers holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology. Kanthi has extensive experience working with women and couples experiencing depression, anxiety and stress during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Kanthi also supports women and couples who have experienced pregnancy loss and birth trauma. In her previous role as a senior clinician at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service, Kanthi applied knowledge gained from her research into parent-child attachment and parenting stress, to assist new parents with their parenting challenges. Kanthi is a trained Circle of Security parenting group facilitator helping mothers and parents to enhance their bonds with their babies. Read more... Kanthi's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0402 623 311 |
TELEHEALTH
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Brooke Andrews is a Clinical Psychologist and certified Neuropsychotherapists. Brooke provides assessment and treatment for women and their families in the perinatal period. Brooke has a particular interest in people's adjustment to early childhood parenting. She assists her clients with antenatal and postnatal anxiety, depression, and/or stress, adjustment difficulties, grief, self-esteem and identity issues that may arise during this vulnerable phase of life. Brooke is particularly passionate about the neuroscience of infant and child brain development and early attachment relationships, the management of high expectations, feelings of self-doubt and perfectionism. Brooke also offers treatment for clinical disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Read more... Brooke's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0456 293 093 |
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Michelle Kornblum is a Clinical Psychologist who for the past 14 years, has worked with women, men and couples in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and the postnatal periods, and has assisted many new parents in their early parenting. Having previously worked at Tweddle Child and Family Health Service for 5 years, Michelle continues her keen interest in enhancing the parent-child relationship especially when postnatal depression, anxiety or stress may be hindering these relationships. Michelle brings particular experience from her clinical background in eating disorders, assisting women when the re-emergence of eating disordered thoughts and behaviors affecting their pregnancies or their postnatal well- being. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0421 647 856 |
TELEHEALTH
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Vickey Annakis is a Clinical Psychologist and a Family Therapist. Vickey brings to the Network a wealth of experience in the perinatal field. With over 30 years in private practice, including eight years in a Mother-baby unit, Vickey works with women, men, couples and families who are experiencing difficulties during the antenatal and postnatal periods. These include difficulties with fertility, conception, pregnancy, or birth, adjustment to pregnancy or the postnatal period, reproductive loss. In addition, she works with clients struggling with issues related to family of origin experiences, previous trauma, grief and loss. Read more... Vickey's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0407 680 792 |
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
TELEHEALTH
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Jessica Saville is a Clinical Psychologist who provides assessment and treatment for women and their families during the perinatal period and early parenting years. She has special interests in the psychology of early attachment, perinatal mental health, and the science of infant and child brain development. Jessica is particularly passionate about assisting parents to establish positive attachments with their babies, to help nurture resilience and strong emotional connections between parent and child. Jessica helps women and couples deal with the pain and devastation of pregnancy loss, and provides treatment for pregnancy and postnatal depression, anxiety and stress, that can be faced by new parents at these challenging times in their lives. Read more... Jessica's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0431 825 727 |
REGIONAL VICTORIA
TELEHEALTH
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Dr Angela Gent is a Clinical Psychologist whose research interests have included parental depression, anxiety, stress and fatigue. Angela works with pregnant women and new parents, treating depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumtic stress disorder, parenting difficulties, and reproductive loss. Angela is a registered Circle of Security parent educator, assisting parents in building secure relationships with their babies and toddlers. Angela is a supervisor for early career psychologists, with a keen interest in supervising their clinical practices in the area of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Read more... Angela's books are currently closed for new referrals. 0408 062 003 |
TELEHEALTH
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Sue Titcumb is a Clinical Psychologist with a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) and a Masters of Clinical Psychology. Having previously worked for St John of God Hospital - Raphael Services, providing support to mothers and their families during pregnancy and the postnatal period, Sue has continued this work in her private practice in Ballarat. Here, Sue provides support to women and men throughout pre-conception, pregnancy, birth, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years. Sue works with anxiety, stress, depression, grief and loss, birth trauma, difficulties transitioning to parenthood, and relationship issues. Sue draws from her extensive experience in working with clients with chronic health conditions such as cancer, diabetes and sleep disorders. Read more... 0459 256 489 |
TELEHEALTH
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Justine Mrkusic is an experienced Clinical Psychologist who has held a long-term interest in working with women, men and couples in the childbearing phase of life. In varied settings over the years, Justine has assisted her clients in pregnancy decision-making, preparation for birth, birth trauma, adaptation to new parenthood, blended family dynamics (when a baby is expected/born), and antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety. As a trained Circle of Security parent educator, Justine helps her clients who are experiencing attachment difficulties with their babies, and who require parenting guidance with their young children. Justine also works compassionately with miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn loss. Read more... Please note, longer than usual wait times. 0472 598 782 |
The Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network supports community services that support you
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