If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed and anxious since having your baby, or you’re finding yourself thinking, “Why don’t I feel like myself anymore?” — I want you to know this – You are not alone.
Many new mums experience anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm — especially when the reality of motherhood looks nothing like what they expected. With the right support, things can feel lighter.
You deserve a space where you can have an honest conversation about your experience of mothrhood, and feel seen, heard, and supported.
I offer warm, evidence‑based counselling and motherhood support to help you feel steadier, more hopeful, confident, and more like yourself again.
Who is this for?
You have a baby or toddler and are:
-
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or on edge
-
Feeling sad. low mood or been diagnosed with post-natal depression
-
Trying to be the “perfect mum” and feeling like you are failing
-
Feeling resentment, frustration or anger
-
Wondering if what you’re feeling is normal
-
Needing to talk to someone about a traumatic or difficult birth or postpartum
-
Carrying mum guilt or worrying you’re “not doing this right”
-
Struggling with sleep deprivation
-
Feeling like you have lost yourself in motherhood, or feeling disconnected from your baby
Maybe you are searching things like: “feeling overwhelmed as a new mum”, “why do I feel sad after having a baby”, “why do I feel so anxious after having my baby”, “how to cope after having a baby”, “why am I feeling so angry after having a baby”, “do I have postnatal depression” or “do I have postnatal anxiety”, “why do I have thoughts of accidently harming my baby.
You don’t have to keep holding all of this alone.
How I can support you:
My approach is gentle, practical, and grounded in evidence-based training in perinatal mental health and motherhood studies and more then 20 years as a Social Worker supporting women and mothers.
Through one to one online (video or phone) or face-to-face sessions together, I can support you with:
-
Birth debriefing and processing a traumatic, difficult, unexpected, or emotionally complex birth.
-
Processing a challenging postpartum
-
Postnatal anxiety, mild to moderate postnatal depression, low mood.
-
Overwhelm, stress, sensory overstimulation, ‘mum rage’ or anger, mum guilt.
-
Identity shifts and Matrescence (the developmental process of becoming a mother that sometimes feels like everything has changed)
-
Navigating relationship changes – partners, family and friends
-
Bonding and attachment with your baby
-
Parenting support
-
Loneliness of motherhood
-
Maybe you need someone external to have honest conversations about your motherhood experience with
And you will come away with...
-
Evidence‑based strategies to reduce worry, calm your nervous system, and help you feel more in control.
-
Practical tools to help you navigate the transition to motherhood (or to mother of 2+) and the relentlessness of early motherhood with more steadiness and self-compassion.
-
Support to soften the pressure, release perfectionism, and reconnect with the version of you that feels grounded and confident.
We work together to get you to a place where you feel more joy and confidence in motherhood, less comparison, less guilt, more self-compassion and connection, with the tools to help you navigate the hard moments and difficult emotions.
Sessions are available via secure telehealth Australia wide, or in person in Croydon VIC
Cost per 50 minute session is $160.
If you are currently pregnant or have been pregnant in the past 12 months you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, please see the FAQ's section below for more info.
READY TO FEEL MORE SUPPORTED?
Some questions you might have...
What might my first session feel like?
A calm, non-judgmental space to share what’s been happening, what you’ve been carrying, and what you need most right now. Sessions run for 50 minutes but allow 1 hour. You might feel nervous in the lead up and waiting for the session to begin - this is so ok and normal.
Are online appointments as effective?
Yes for most people they are. Many new mums prefer telehealth because it’s flexible, private, and works around feeding and nap times. However, some people prefer face to face as they find it easier to communicate or focus that way, or just prefer the feel of being in the same room. Is really is a person choice.
Is it ok if I bring my baby to our appointments?
Yes, in fact I encourage you to bring your baby to face to face appointments or have them nearby during online appointments. Some people prefer not to have their baby with them as they find it easier to be able to focus on the session, this is completely up to you and your circumstances.
How soon can I start?
Telehealth appointments are often available within one to two weeks. Croydon in person sessions there may be a little longer wait, but often can book a first appointment within two to four weeks. Please contact me to find out what the current wait time is or check the online booking link.
Can I bring a pram? or Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the space in Croydon is ground level with no stairs so easy to bring the pram and is wheelchair accessible for the consultation room, however the toilets are not.
Do you offer Medicare rebates?
If you are currently pregnancy or have been pregnant in the past 12 months you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $72.55 with a GP referral for Non Directive Pregnancy Support Counselling. Please reach out to me via the form below or email hello@briellethomson.com for more information on what your GP needs to write.
Do I have to have a diagnosis of postnatal depression or anxiety?
If you’ve been feeling low, anxious, or unlike yourself for more than two weeks, or if daily life feels harder than you feel it should, it’s worth reaching out. You don’t need a diagnosis to get support. If you feel you need immediate support or are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or harming your child please seek immediate support via 000, presenting to your local emergency department or calling Lifeline on 131114
Do you have experience working with Neurodivergent mums, Autistic mums, mums with ADHD?
Yes, many of my clients are neurodivergent, in particular I work with many mums who have ADHD and autistic mums/mums with autism. I also have my own ADHD diagnosis.
Who am I?
Hi, I'm Brielle.
I am an experienced Social Worker passionate about supporting women and mothers, particularly in the areas of fertility, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, postpartum, motherhood, women's health and life transitions like matrescence and perimenopause.
I have supported women professionally for over 20 years, currently in my private practice and prior to that as a Social Worker in two large non-profit organisations.
Most importantly to me I am a mum of four, wife, stepmum and dog mum. I am also a mum with ADHD, so get the challenges that this can sometimes bring.
You can read a little more about me HERE
