Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or parenting a child (or children) of any age, this stage of life can bring up more than you expected. Alongside love and joy, there can be anxiety, overwhelm, guilt, grief, anger, loneliness, or a quiet sense of “why am I finding this so hard?”
You don’t have to be in crisis to seek support. And you don’t need to have the ‘right words’ either. If you’re an expectant parent, a new mum or dad, or a more experienced parent feeling stretched, stuck, or emotionally exhausted — you are not alone.
I offer a calm, non-judgemental space to gently untangle the overwhelm, quiet the self-doubt, and help you feel steadier and more at ease in yourself.
Pregnancy & Birth
Pregnancy isn’t always the glowing, peaceful experience it’s often portrayed to be. For many people, it can be a time of heightened anxiety, emotional vulnerability, and uncertainty. You might find yourself feeling anxious about the pregnancy or birth, caught in intrusive thoughts or health worries, or feeling disconnected from your body or your pregnancy. You may be carrying fear linked to a previous loss, trauma, or difficult birth, or feeling pressure to feel grateful and excited when truly your feelings are more complex than that. Counselling during pregnancy can offer a calm, supportive space to slow things down, explore your worries safely, and feel more grounded as you prepare for birth and parenthood. Together, we can gently work through fears, expectations, emotions and patterns that may be showing up more strongly right now.
Postnatal Wellbeing
The postnatal period can be incredibly intense. Sleep deprivation, physical recovery, hormonal changes, and the responsibility of caring for a baby can leave even the most capable people feeling overwhelmed. You might be experiencing anxiety, panic, or constant worry about your baby, alongside low mood, numbness, or tearfulness. Feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy can creep in, as well as difficulty bonding or feeling like yourself, or a sense of loss for your old life or identity. Postnatal counselling offers a supportive space just for you — not to be fixed, judged, or told what you should be feeling, but to be heard. Together, we can gently make sense of what you’re going through and help you feel more steady, supported, and like yourself again.
Parenting & Family
Parenting has a way of stretching us emotionally, often in ways we didn’t anticipate. Many parents seek therapy later on, when exhaustion has built up, emotions feel harder to manage, or old patterns start to surface. You might be feeling burnt out, touched-out, or constantly overwhelmed, struggling with guilt, anger, or resentment, or finding parenting emotionally draining or unexpectedly triggering. You may notice patterns from your own childhood showing up, or feel the pressure of trying to parent differently and get it “right.” Counselling can help you understand what’s being stirred up for you as a parent, develop greater compassion for yourself, and find ways to respond rather than just survive. This isn’t about parenting perfectly — it’s about supporting you.
Joanne Flatt Therapy
Counselling, Hypnotherapy and Perinatal Support
I support parents and parents-to-be with the emotional demands that pregnancy, birth, and parenting can stir up.
Before qualifying as a counsellor, I spent time supporting new mums at my local children’s centres, where I heard first-hand about the worries, pressures, and fears that can come with early parenting.
As a mum myself, I know how heavy the mental load can feel — how easy it is to question yourself, and how hard it can be to reach out for help when you feel like you should be coping. Parenting can bring huge love, and also exhaustion, guilt, anxiety, and moments of complete overwhelm.
Many of the parents I work with worry about being judged or fear that saying things out loud makes them a ‘bad parent’. This is something I’ve seen time and time again.
When you work with me there is no judgement and no pressure to get things right. You’ll be met with warmth, understanding, and a realistic appreciation of what parenting is actually like.
I’m calm, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to, and I work gently and collaboratively. We’ll go at your pace, focusing on what feels most important to you, and making space for your experiences without minimising them. You don’t need to have the right words or a clear plan — we can work things out together.
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Therapy for New Mums
Therapy should fit into your life, not add to your load, and I know it's not always practical to be away from baby, especially in the early weeks and months. I don't want to add barriers to you getting support. That's why I offer postnatal counselling online, so you can join from a place that is comfortable for you, and if the need arises, I am happy for baby to accompany you in session.