Welcome to Care Perinatal Psychology
Compassionate and evidence-based psychological treatment supporting you at every stage of your parenthood journey.
About Us
Alex Hall | Psychologist
Alex is a registered psychologist who has a special interest in supporting parents and families in the perinatal period. She has worked across both public and private settings gaining experience working with perinatal depression and anxiety, infertility & pregnancy loss, birth trauma, adjustment disorders, attachment difficulties, parenting with mental health difficulties (e.g. personality vulnerabilities), and body image difficulties/eating disorders.
Alex brings a genuine, compassionate, and friendly approach to her therapy. Alex uses a range of different therapy styles suited to each individual and their circumstance, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), schema therapy, and more.
Alex has completed a Bachelor of Psychological Science (with Honours) and her Master of Clinical Psychology, as well as perinatal-specific training.
We can provide support for:
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression
Perinatal refers to the period from conception up to a year after the child's birth. Whilst fluctuations in mood can be common throughout this period, perinatal anxiety/depression can look like intense sadness, frequent worry, irritability, changes in sleep and appetite, and difficulty bonding with the baby. Perinatal anxiety/depression can affect both mothers and fathers.
Factors like sleep deprivation, exhaustion, and hormonal changes can severely impact mood and energy levels. If you or your partner are struggling with anxiety or depression, seeking psychological support may help to improve your quality of life.
Perinatal Grief & Loss
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression
The loss of a new or developing baby is a deeply devastating experience. Whether due to miscarriage, termination, stillbirth, or early infant death, there is no right or wrong way to grieve. It's common for couples and families to experience grief differently.
Following a loss, worry and anxiety can understandably increase during subsequent pregnancies. If you would like a safe and supportive space to process your grief experience individually or with your partner, please reach out to us!
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Navigating eating disorders and body image concerns during the perinatal period can pose some unique challenges. The pressure to conform to societal ideals of pregnancy and postpartum body can exacerbate existing struggles with disordered eating and/or body image or trigger new ones.
Expectant and new parents may struggle with conflicting emotions surrounding weight gain, body changes, and societal expectations. Reaching out for support in this area can help promote a healthier relationship with food, your body, and improve your quality of life.
Fertility Issues & IVF
Fertility Issues & IVF
Eating Disorders and Body Image Difficulties
Attempting to conceive can become an overwhelming process, particularly when faced with fertility challenges. The process of addressing fertility issues may seem lengthy and drawn-out. Coping with the realisation of difficulties in conceiving naturally can be emotionally taxing.
While advancements in fertility treatments offer more options to couples and individuals, each person's journey is unique. If you or your partner are struggling with complex emotions and thoughts related to fertility, seeking psychological support can be beneficial.
Birth Trauma
Fertility Issues & IVF
Birth Trauma
Childbirth can be unpredictable and doesn't always go as planned.
Some parents may face challenging decisions due to complications before, during, or after delivery. Regardless of the way your child is born, childbirth can leave some parents feeling helpless or overwhelmed. These emotions might not surface until weeks or months after the birth. If you find yourself struggling to process your birth experience, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
OCD
Fertility Issues & IVF
Birth Trauma
Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common but often unrecognised condition that can begin during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Parents may experience intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviours related to their baby's safety and well-being, leading to significant distress and anxiety.
Despite its prevalence, perinatal OCD is not always spoken about, leaving many parents feeling isolated. Recognising the signs and seeking professional help is crucial for managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Adjustment to Parenthood
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Adjusting to parenthood is a significant and often challenging transition. New parents may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure about their new roles and responsibilities. These feelings are common but can lead to stress and anxiety if not addressed.
It's important to recognise that every parent's journey is unique, and it's okay to seek help during this adjustment period. Support from family, friends, and professionals can make a big difference in easing the transition and promoting well-being.
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Parenting can be a challenging experience in itself, and even more so with a pre-existing mental health condition. This presents unique challenges as parents balance their own well-being with the demands of raising children.
Managing mental health while ensuring a nurturing environment for your children requires additional support and resources. It's important for parents to recognise the value of seeking help and developing effective coping strategies. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. Professional support, including therapy and peer groups, can provide essential guidance and stability.
Parenting Support
Parenting with a pre-existing mental health condition
Parenting Support
Parenting support extends well beyond the perinatal period, addressing the evolving challenges and joys of raising children at every stage.
As children grow, parents may face new issues related to development, behaviour, education, and family dynamics.
Ongoing support can help parents navigate these challenges effectively. Seeking advice and resources from professionals and peer networks can foster a positive family environment and promote healthy child development.
Appointments
50 MINS | $230
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Having a referral lowers the out-of-pocket costs to you, however, you don’t need a referral to access our services.
Your GP or Psychiatrist may refer you to Care Perinatal Psychology through a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). A MHCP allows you to access up to 10 Medicare rebated sessions per calendar year.
Sessions are typically 50 minutes long. Initial sessions are usually 60 minutes.
Yes, we do offer Telehealth appointments. Whilst we prefer face-to-face consultations, clients can access psychological support anywhere in Australia if they have a suitable phone or internet connection.
The cost of a 50-60 min session at Care Perinatal Psychology is $230 and is required to be paid at the time of your consultation. If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan, you are entitled to receive a Medicare rebate of $96.65 (maximum of 10 sessions in a calendar year).
Unfortunately, Care Perinatal Psychology does not provide bulk-billed sessions.
Unfortunately, Care Perinatal Psychology does not currently provide support through these claiming streams.
Care Perinatal Psychology practices within Maia Mothers Collective located at 89 Beatrice Terrace, Ascot, Brisbane QLD 4007. We are open every Wednesday and Friday by appointment only.
Therapy can often seem like a very scary and overwhelming experience, especially if it's your first time. However, you can expect a safe, confidential space to explore your thoughts and feelings with a trained professional. Your psychologist will listen without judgment, help you understand your emotions, and work with you to develop strategies for managing challenges. Sessions may involve discussing your past experiences, current issues, and future goals. Therapy is a collaborative process, tailored to your needs, and aims to help you gain insight, improve your mental health, and achieve personal growth. Remember, feeling nervous at the start is completely normal, and your psychologist is there to support you every step of the way.
If your main concern is challenges in your relationship or a relationship breakdown, you will need to seek a couples counsellor for this therapy. However, from time-to-time it can be helpful to have your partner attend the session to understand your treatment plan and for understanding around focussed psychological support.
Yes, we are able to provide pregnancy support counselling under the Medicare item 81000. The rebate for these sessions is $68.45.
Care Perinatal Psychology is not an emergency service. We are not able to respond to urgent or emergency matters and communication (phone and email) is not monitored outside of standard business hours (Wednesday & Friday: 8:00am-5pm).
For urgent concerns relating to mental health or other emergencies, please contact your GP or speak to the appropriate emergency services:
• Emergency: 000
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• PANDA: 1300 726 306
• Parentline (QLD & NT): 1300 30 1300
• 1300 MH CALL (1300 642255) — 24-hour specialist mental healthcare
Contact Us
Phone: 0494 080 504
Email: info@careperinatal.com.au
Fax: 07 2141 6061
Social: @care_perinatalpsychology
Referrers:
Referrals can be sent via email or fax.
Located within Maia Mothers Collective: 89 Beatrice Terrace, Ascot Queensland 4007, Australia
Hours
Today | Closed |
Care Perinatal Psychology acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands throughout Australia and their continuing connections to land, water and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Care Perinatal Psychology also embraces neurodiversity, and proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community.
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