Frequently Asked Questions
What is perinatal psychology?
Perinatal psychology is a specialised area of psychology that focuses on emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. It supports individuals and families experiencing challenges such as anxiety, low mood, birth trauma, fertility difficulties, pregnancy loss, identity changes and the adjustment to caring for a new baby. Perinatal Psychologists understand the unique emotional, physical and social changes that occur during this time and provide evidence-based support tailored to the needs of parents and families.
Who can benefit from perinatal psychology support?
Perinatal psychology support can benefit anyone who is navigating the journey into parenthood and this may include parents and families who are:
- Pregnant or planning a pregnancy;
- Adjusting to life with a baby;
- Experiencing anxiety, low mood, or overwhelm;
- Navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, or fertility challenges;
- Recovering from a difficult or traumatic birth;
- Seeking assistance during the transition to parenthood;
- Needing support with bonding, sleep, feeding, or identity changes;
- Wanting to understand how they can support their partner.
Do I need a referral to see a Perinatal Psychologist?
A referral to book an appointment with a Perinatal Psychologist is not required, however if you would like to access Medicare rebates, you will need a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from your GP, psychiatrist, or paediatrician.
What types of appointments do you offer? (after hours, telehealth, home visits)
We aim to make support as accessible as possible to parents and families. Depending on availability, appointments include:
- In-person sessions
- Telehealth appointments
- After-hours appointments
- Mobile Home visits
What is Telehealth?
Little Hens Psychology offers telehealth appointments, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your own home. Telehealth can be especially helpful for parents navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or life with a new baby, where leaving the house can feel like a big task. Sessions are conducted securely via video conferencing and provide the same supportive space to talk through what you are experiencing.
What happens during the first session?
- What has brought you to seek support;
- Your pregnancy, birth, or parenting journey so far;
- The support systems, relationships and living situation;
- Mental health and medical history;
- Current challenges and goals for therapy.
Based on these discussions, the clinician will work with you to understand your needs and formulate a treatment plan on the most beneficial therapy for you in line with your goals. With your consent, your clinician may ask you to undertake some psychological assessments so that they can better understand your current mental health.
How long are sessions and how many will I need?
Sessions with a Psychologist run for 50 minutes and the number of sessions varies based on individual needs. Depending on each client’s goals and therapy treatment, some people may take part in shorter term interventions while others may need ongoing support over a longer period. Using a client centred approach, your Psychologist will regularly review your progress and adjust the approach as needed.
Will my sessions be private and confidential?
Yes, all sessions are private and confidential in nature and your information will be handled in accordance with professional ethical standards and Australian privacy laws. There are some circumstances where confidentiality may need to be broken, such as if there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or someone else or if it is legally required. The limits to confidentiality will be clearly explained to each client when you engage our practice.
Can my partner be involved in the session?
This is dependent on the goals of each client, the particular therapy treatment and the approach of the clinician. If experiencing challenges with couple relationships it may be beneficial for both partners to be present to work through their problems. Otherwise, if the client wishes to explore their own mental health challenges, it would be more valuable for the session to include only them to enable focus on individual healing and growth.
Can my baby or children be present in sessions?
Yes babies and young children are welcome in sessions as we understand that childcare is not always possible and that parenting often happens alongside therapy. Sessions can be flexible to accommodate feeding, settling, or caring for your child, however some parents choose to organise childcare so that they can have focused time to themselves during the session.
How can I tell if I need support?
You don’t need to be in crisis to seek help and if something doesn’t feel right, you may benefit from seeking support if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Persistent feelings of anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm;
- Difficulty adjusting to pregnancy or parenthood;
- Feeling disconnected from your baby or yourself;
- Intrusive or distressing thoughts;
- Relationship strain during the transition to parenthood;
- Ongoing stress following fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, or birth trauma.
Are there any appointment waiting times?
Waiting times can vary depending on appointment availability and your preference with seeing a particular Psychologist. If there is a wait time, we aim to offer the earliest possible appointment and may provide information about additional support options if you need more immediate assistance.
Will I see the same clinician each session?
Yes, continuity of care is important, so you will typically see the same clinician for your sessions. If your clinician is unavailable or you require specialised support, we will discuss options with you.
What are the fees for an appointment?
Fees vary depending on whether your appointment is with a General Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist. Current fees will be provided when booking through the online platform and are available on our Fees Schedule page or by contacting our practice.
Can I use Medicare or private health insurance?
Clients may be able to access Medicare rebates with a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral from their GP. If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may also be eligible for rebates depending on your provider and level of cover. Please note that you are unable to claim both Medicare and private health insurance for the same session.
Are there any circumstances where perinatal psychology is not the right support?
- Immediate risk of harm to self or others;
- Severe psychiatric symptoms that require hospital support;
- Chronic eating disorders, excessive alcohol or substance use;
- Crisis situations needing emergency services.
In these circumstances, more immediate services such as emergency care, crisis lines, or specialised psychiatric or hospital support may be recommended. If this occurs, we will help guide you toward the most appropriate support options.
How do I get started on my support journey?
We understand that reaching out for support can feel like a difficult step, however we want to make the process as easy and streamlined as possible for all of our potential clients.
Our simple process involves the following steps:
- Book an appointment through our online platform – choose the option that works best for you: telehealth sessions from home or mobile home visits in Canberra. If you have any specific enquiries please reach out to our team via our website, email, or phone.
- Once your appointment is confirmed, our friendly admin team will organise an intake call with you and then send you a Client Welcome email which includes our intake form, service agreement, consent form and privacy policy.
- Attend your first session where you and your Psychologist will explore your challenges and develop a plan for support that is aligned with your goals and needs.