Many counsellors, psychologists and other professionals may use similar techniques to support you. However, as a counsellor, I do not diagnose you with anything. Instead, I am trained in a person-centred approach which is rooted in empathy and deep respect for you as a person.
As a client, the most important thing is to ensure the practitioner you choose is skilled, and is experienced with the types of challenges you're facing. It's also crucial that you feel you 'click' with a therapist.
If we establish that you require ongoing support of a more clinical nature to address mental health concerns, I will link you to appropriate services to ensure you have the  support you need.

This will vary from person to person. It's important we have realistic expectations around the time needed to work through challenges. 
However, I am led by you. There is never any pressure to book another session, or to book with a certain frequency. 
As a very rough guide. most people find it helpful to work together initially for around 6-8 sessions, then re-asses goals from there.
Some people like to attend for much longer, to work through complex challenges or receive ongoing support.
For birth debriefs, we have an initial 2 hour session, and then you can decide if you feel you would benefit from any follow-up.

Ideally not - but as a mother myself, I understand how hard it can be to attend therapy and have your child cared for by someone else.
In fact, I attended a group therapy program myself when my son was a newborn, and had to take him with me.
I encourage you to book an appointment time that suits you, where perhaps your child may be napping or fairly settled, or you have a support person to take over their care.
However please reach out if you do need a child to be present, and we can take whatever approach works best for you. You are also welcome to breast or chest feed during sessions.

You do not need a mental health plan to see me. This can have many advantages:

- You don't require a diagnosis or to meet certain criteria to receive support. Any challenge you're facing is real and valid.
- You are not limited to 10 sessions per year, and can access as much support as you need. You can pause and re-start therapy as needed.
- You don't need to wait on a long wait list to get therapy, and you can get the specific kind of therapy that's right for you. 
- Our work together is confidential and won't be noted on your health records (which unfortunately can impact things like getting approved for life insurance).

As a counsellor, my role is to support you to do whatever works for your family.
However, I understand you may want to ensure our values align.
You'll get more of a sense of my approach by looking at my blog, and the courses I offer. Although they are still focused on you finding what feels right, they do include content that is based in the latest research around both infant/child and parent mental health.
If you're interested in gentle parenting - or related terms (conscious / mindful / respectful parenting), then you'll feel right at home here.
Some of my favourite writers on parenting include Dr Becky, Mona Delahooke, Robin Einzig, Greer Kirshenbaum and Ross Greene.

 I work with parents experiencing PNDA (perinatal depression and anxiety) daily. PNDA can occur during pregnancy and during the first year postpartum (and challenges can and do persist beyond this time). 
However, it's important to note that as a counsellor, I will not diagnose you with PNDA or related conditions. An important part of our work together will be ensuring you have all the support you need - and for some people, this includes working with a clinician who can prescribe medication or work with more severe clinical presentations.
If you're unsure whether your challenges fall within my scope of work, feel free to contact me before booking.

My work is informed by family systems theory and attachment theory, and I use a trauma-informed approach that focuses on your strengths. 
This is all a fancy way of saying that I take great care in ensuring everything is taken at your pace, in a way that feels safe for you. Rather than focusing on finding something 'wrong' with you, I focus on strengthening connection to your inner wisdom and skills.
I have particular interests in self-compassion, boundary setting, and nervous system regulation.
My birth debriefs take great care to hold space for you and assist you to do the vital work of processing your experience. I have completed specialised birth trauma training via Make Birth Better.

This is such an important question - and actually there's often a simple answer:
If you don't feel a connection with a therapist, you should find another therapist.  It's SO important that you are able to form a trusting bond. You need to feel held and supported - and accepted, exactly as you are.
There are also various approaches to therapy. Some will feel right for you, and some won't. If we aren't the right fit for each other, I'd be happy to support you in finding another counsellor or clinician who is more 'you'.