counselling service details

FAQs

What's makes this service unique?

This service is unlike any other provided in Adelaide. It provides professional support to women who might not identify with post natal depression (PND) but who are feeling the effects of transitioning into motherhood.

Here are some reasons why other services and supports are limited:

	Psychology services are expensive and, as much as they can be helpful at other times, tend to focus too much on pathology and a diagnosis of PND when it comes to motherhood.
	Child and Youth Health and Parenting SA again, while a valuable resource, focus on the parenting role more than the woman's experience of new motherhood.
	Carers SA don't include mothers or parents per se as a client group.
	Generic counsellors, psychologists, and life coaches don't have specialist knowledge about transition to motherhood issues.
	Informal conversations with family and friends or online chat group might be an important addition to your support network but they are not professionally facilitated conversations.
	Books by experts don't consult you on your unique experience and mindful parenting practices don't explore what becoming a mother means to you.

This service counselling service is unique in that it is grounded in National and International research on the experiences of contemporary motherhood and Felicity has a special interest in this area. This service combines counselling expertise with specialist understanding about the transition experiences of women when they become mothers. And best of all, it caters for the majority of new mothers and not just those those diagnosed with PND.

How do I make a booking and what happens next?

Simply call Felicity or send her an email first. After you have organised an appointment time Felicity will send you out a form. Fill this in and send it back in the reply paid envelope before your first appointment. The information requested on this form is not much different to if you saw a physio or the like. In order to work effectively with you it is important that Felicity has some background information.

My children are not babies, does that matter?

Not at all. If you are still feeling the impact of becoming a mother then anytime is a good time to see a counsellor. In fact, sometimes counselling can be more effective if you are not immersed in the haze of new parenthood. More experienced mothers can also be more willing to acknowledge the 'warts and all' of parenthood and thereby progress more quickly with their goals.

I feel a bit silly going to see a counsellor about being a mum. Is this normal?

Yes. Seeing a counsellor for anything can be scary, especially if you have never seen one before. It's even more challenging for mothers because women are socialized to believe that motherhood is natural and enjoyable. Any deviations from this can be viewed suspiciously and therefore it can seem easier to hide behind a 'mask'. This is especially true for highly professional women who might perceive motherhood as a 'walk in the park' compared to their other feats. Quite the opposite can be true. It can feel vulnerable stepping away from the 'mask' but you can be assured of a professional and confidential approach. It will be worth it. And remember you can still love your children immensely at the same time as finding aspects of this new life difficult.

What about the blokes? Who's there to support them?

That's a good question and there is certainly a growing focus on Dads which is evident in the 'transition to parenthood' studies. While there might be some similarities in how men and women transition to parenthood the complexities of becoming a mother demands special attention. For a start the 'cultural contradictions' of motherhood are even stronger now than a decade or two ago. Women have even stronger expectations of personal success and independence now. However when they become a mother they and society often have very definite ideas about what constitutes a 'good mother'. This is a specialist area and calls for specialist approach in practice.

Is the service available at other days and times than the ones mentioned?

If you are not available during the normal operating times then just let Felicity know this and she will try and arrange an alternative time that is mutually suitable.

What can I expect to happen in counselling?

You will be invited mainly to share your story. You will be asked questions so that Felicity has a good understanding of the issues troubling you and questions will also be asked to get you thinking about what's important to you. But there will be nothing in counselling that you will be asked to do if you don't want to. If some questions are too difficult then that's OK, you don't have to answer them. You are also free to exit the service at any stage. Finally, you will likely be invited to 'try some things out'. These tasks will not be onerous and will be jointly decided on to help you progress to where you want to be.

I'm not sure if I am within the 10kilometre radius or not?

That's fine. Just contact Felicity and together you can work out the details.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

felicity@mothersbeheard.com