You thought becoming a mother would feel different?
Perhaps you have spent months or even years hoping for a child and wondering if it will ever happen. Perhaps you have experienced loss that has left you feeling heartbroken, confused or alone. Or perhaps you’ve become a mother and are struggling with feelings you never expected to have.
You might feel pressure to get everything right. You may compare yourself to other mothers and wonder why they seem to be coping better than you are. Perhaps you feel guilty for struggling, worried about being judged, or frightened to say out loud how difficult things sometimes feel.
Motherhood can bring old experiences to the surface. Family relationships, childhood experiences, expectations and past hurts can suddenly feel much closer than they once did.
If this feels familiar, you don’t have to carry this alone.
How are you today?
Choose the mood that feels closest right now to see a short supportive note.
Anxiety
Try a few slow breaths, with a longer, gentle exhale.
Overwhelmed
Choose just one small thing for now and leave the rest.
Hopeful
Notice one tiny thing that helps and gently support it.
Sad / heavy inside
Speak to yourself as you would to a dear friend who is hurting.
Сan’t switch off
You’re allowed a small pause, even for just a few breaths.
Сan’t feel much
Feeling switched off can be a protective response.
Welcome
Hi, I am Catherine.
For many years I worked as a health visitor in the NHS, supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. It gave me a front row seat to the realities of motherhood. The complicated, messy, emotional reality that many women experience.
I met women who were exhausted, isolated, grieving, questioning themselves and trying desperately to live up to impossible expectations. I know Motherhood can be one of the most rewarding life experiences. I also know it can be one of the most challenging. Especially when you feel as though you are supposed to cope, or when “the Village “that should be supporting you simply isn’t there.
My Training
I am a qualified BACP registered counsellor .
I have 25 years' experience working in the NHS as a Health Visitor specialising in family health, perinatal wellbeing and early years development .
My counselling experience includes working with MIND bereavement service and the charity Mums Aid. Supporting clients with loss, perinatal mental health concerns and family and relationship difficulties .
My integrative practice draws on a range of therapeutic approaches to meet each client as an individual.
My Approach
I am warm, kind and approachable.
I offer counselling that is compassionate and non-judgemental.
I offer individualised therapy for women and men.
I offer face-to-face counselling at my consulting rooms in Greenwich, SE London, and online. I also offer long- and short-term therapy.
How Counselling may help?
Many of the women I work with arrive feeling as though they are failing in some way .
Perhaps they’ve struggling to adjust to motherhood. Perhaps they are carrying grief after loss. Perhaps fertility treatment has left them exhausted and questioning themselves or perhaps they have forgotten how to pay attention to their own needs.
What your story counselling can offer an opportunity to stop carrying it all on your own.
Together we can make sense of what is happening beneath the surface. The expectations you’ve placed on yourself and the experiences that may be shaping how you feel today.
As our work progresses, many women find that they become less critical of themselves and more accepting of the reality of motherhood. They begin to trust themselves and feel more confident.
Over time feeling more calmer, more connected and less weighted down by guilt, comparison and self-doubt. Despite what the media, parenting book and well-meaning advice might suggest you don’t need to be a perfect mother just “good enough”
Take the First Step
Get in touch and to arrange an initial conversation and see whether working together feels right for you.
"Our sessions were a big help for me. While it was hard to talk about certain things I often felt better having spoken about them and that was thanks to your support."
"Thank you so much for everything. The way you helped me guide my thinking in our sessions has stayed with me and I am really grateful to you!"
"I came to Catherine feeling overwhelmed, anxious and unsure how to manage motherhood. Her understanding made me feel truly seen and heard."
Fees & availability
In-person consultations at my rooms in SE London are charged at £65 per session.
Online sessions are charged at £60 per session.
Each session runs for 50 minutes
I offer a reduced rate of £60 if you block book 6 sessions.
There is a 48-hour minimum cancellation policy without charge. Sessions cancelled after this time will be charged.
All sessions need to be paid for in advance by bank transfer.
My Location
My counselling rooms are based at the Studio, 6 Horn Lane, London SE10 0RT.
There is free parking in the surrounding side streets.
Online sessions will be via Microsoft Teams.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the counselling process or would like to book an initial assessment, please feel free to get in touch.
You’re also welcome to call me on +4407743895303 if you prefer to speak by phone. I’m happy to answer any queries before scheduling your first session.
I usually respond within 24 hours. All communication is confidential and handled through secure email and phone services.