Areas of Speciality

  • Perinatal Anxiety

    Perinatal anxiety refers to excessive worry or fear experienced during pregnancy or after childbirth.

  • Perinatal Depression

    This can occur during pregnancy (antenatal) or after birth (postpartum). This can occur for a variety of reasons and we employ a compassion-focused approach to help parents recover.

  • Postnatal OCD

    Intrusive thoughts or compulsions related to the baby or parenting. These thoughts are often in relation to harm or safety and the parents have no desire to act on them.

  • Perinatal Trauma

    This could be related to pregnancy complications, any conception difficulties birth and post birth. This could be related to the 'ghosts in the nursery' - where unresolved emotional difficulties from your own childhood might resurface during pregnancy or postpartum.

  • Attachment and Bonding

    In the perinatal period, attachment difficulties might arise due to challenges bonding with the new baby. We all expect to feel an instant connection with our baby, but for many reasons this might be challenging

    This can occur for many reasons and therapy can help identify what might be getting in the way of the bonding with your baby.

  • Perinatal Loss and Grief

    Therapy for individuals or couples dealing with miscarriage or any infant loss. This can include difficulties trying to conceive as this can be an emotionally challenging and difficult times for families.

  • Other Perinatal Challenges

    If you are struggling with something that is not listed, please still enquire. Many psychological concerns are interconnected and it is common for individuals to experience something unique. I am happy to discuss any situation and to see if I can support you, or guide you to the right resources.

Therapeutic Approaches

Therapy is tailored to address the unique mental health challenges which arise during pregnancy and postpartum.

  • Mindfulness-Based Therapy

    To reduce anxiety by grounding the individual in the present moment. This can help parents to manage stress and anxiety and help to promote emotional resilience.

    Dr Alexandra will talk with you to ascertain which modality will suit your needs.

  • Acceptance-Based Therapy

    Techniques to help come to terms with distressing thoughts or situations without trying to over control. This can be particularly useful when we are attempting to cope with something which is often out of our control, such as the stress behind trying to conceive.

  • Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

    This is a trauma-focused therapy that helps people process distressing memories using bilateral stimulation. This can be used to support individuals, especially mothers if they have trauma related to conception, pregnancy, birth or the postnatal period. This can help reduce PTSD symptoms and improve emotional regulation and bonding with your baby.

    EMDR can be adapted and used during pregnancy.

  • Narrative Therapy

    Working through situations or traumas by telling and retelling a story in a way which helps individuals reclaim their narrative. This could include Tree of Life approaches, or using written word or letters.

  • Attachment-Based Therapy

    Exploring own attachment experiences and thinking about how they influence current behaviour. This approach focuses on strengthening the parent-infant bond exploring our own attachment history, emotional responses and relational patterns. The goal is promote a secure attachment between the caregiver and child.

    Dr Alexandra is also trained in Circle of Security (COS) and Watch, Wait and Wonder (WWW) attachment approaches.

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy

    Reducing guilt and shame by developing the compassionate mind.