ABOUT
Your Place Perinatal Psychology
Located on the Northside of Brisbane, Your Place is a psychology practice committed to providing evidence-based assessment and treatment for women and men across the perinatal and infant period. Whilst the journey towards parenthood can be experienced as miraculous and joyful, it can also be associated with a range of new and difficult emotions. If you or your partner are experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or uncertainty around parenthood (especially if these difficulties have been present for two weeks or more) you may benefit from psychological support.
Marie-Claire Sauvage is an experienced clinical psychologist who has been working with parents and families since completing her Masters of Psychology in 2010. She has worked across both public and private settings gaining extensive experience working with: pre-conception issues, perinatal depression and anxiety, perinatal loss, adjustment disorders, attachment issues, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Prior to working with parents and families, Marie-Claire gained experience working in a human factors research role for the Department of Defence and in the injury management industry. She is highly skilled in assisting clients retrain and return to work following significant emotional difficulties. She has a particular interest in supporting parents balance work and family demands.
Marie-Claire brings a genuine warmth and compassion to her therapy, working from a trauma-informed attachment focussed lens. Marie-Claire is experienced in using a range of therapeutic approaches including: cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness and compassion focussed therapy.
Marie-Claire has completed a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours and a Master of Clinical Psychology. She is registered with clinical endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a Board Accredited supervisor. Marie-Claire has completed perinatal specific training as well as additional training in the U.S. in mindfulness and self-compassion.
**Not Currently accepting new referrals. For existing clients please call, text or email to make a follow up booking**
services
At Your Place we provide psychological support around...
Perinatal Anxiety and Depression
Perinatal is a term used to describe the period of time from conception through to the first year of a baby’s life. Whilst it is normal for parents to report some ups and downs during this period, according to Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia, PANDA:
- 1 in 5 women experience anxiety, depression or both during pregnancy and/or following birth;
- 1 in 10 men experience depression and/or anxiety.
Mood, energy and motivation can be significantly impacted by sleep deprivation, exhaustion and hormonal changes during the perinatal period. If you or your partner are concerned you might be experiencing anxiety or depression, psychological support may help manage your difficulties and improve your quality of life.
Family Planning and Pregnancy
Deciding to start a family can be an easy and natural progression for some, however, for others contemplating or planning a pregnancy can be complicated. In the case of an unplanned or unexpected pregnancy mixed feelings and uncertainty about whether to proceed with the pregnancy may emerge.
Similarly, in the case of a planned pregnancy the mother may experience new stressors or worry about her pregnancy. If you find yourself struggling with planning for or adjusting to pregnancy you may benefit from non-directive counselling or psychological support.
Fertility Issues & IVF
Trying to fall pregnant can quickly become an all consuming process especially when fertility concerns are raised. The process of assessing fertility issues can feel slow and protracted. Equally, coming to terms with difficulties falling pregnant naturally can be challenging. Whilst there are now more choices to parents in the fertility space, everyone’s journey is different. If you or your partner are struggling with complex thoughts and feelings around your fertility, you may benefit from professional support.
Birth Trauma
Childbirth does not always proceed as planned. Some parents, may have to make difficult choices about physical complications that arise before or during the birth. Regardless of the mode of delivery, some parents are left feeling powerless, stuck or overwhelmed by their birth journey. Sometimes these difficulties do not emerge for weeks or months after the birth. If you or your partner are experiencing difficulty processing your birth journey you may benefit from professional support.
Perinatal Grief & Loss
The loss of a new or developing baby is one of the most devastating losses in life. In the case of a miscarriage, termination, stillbirth or death in the early years of life there is no right or wrong way for grief to unfold.
Within a couple, it is very common for parents to experience grief and loss in different ways.
After a loss, parents are more vulnerable to experiencing anxiety and worry in a subsequent pregnancy. Some people find they benefit from professional support to process their experience either on their own or together as a couple.
Adjustment to Parenthood / Difficulties in Parenthood
We often talk about raising children but what about the parents? When a baby is conceived a new journey also begins for the parents. Some of the immediate changes include: hormonal and body, lifestyle, relationship and the process of bonding to your new baby. After the baby arrives home, there are further changes as the couple adjust to the balance of attending to their baby’s needs, managing visitors and family and looking after the physical recovery of the mother. What might be easy for one parent can bring distress and upheaval for another. Whilst changes and challenges in parenthood can be a normal part of the journey, at times they can cause mental difficulty or distress. If you are struggling with adjusting to parenthood, you may benefit from psychological support.
Your Place Perinatal Psychology is not an emergency or crisis service. If you or your baby are at imminent risk of harm please go to your local hospital emergency department or call emergency services on 000.
If you are seeking further information around postnatal psychosis, early support and identification is important. Please refer to the information on the Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia, PANDA website or attend your GP in the first instance.
frequently asked questions
How can we help?
You or your GP can refer to Your Place by email, fax or through the contact form on our website. For all new referrals, Marie-Claire will offer a 10min phone appointment to discuss your main concerns, answer any questions you may have and ensure Your Place is the right service for you. You will then be offered an initial appointment to further assess your concerns and explore ongoing treatment options.
No, you are able to self-refer to Your Place if this is your preference. However, if you are experiencing mental health concerns you may benefit from a GP review. Your GP can also assist you to determine if you are eligible for a mental health care plan or non-directed counselling sessions (both allow you to claim a partial rebate for some of your sessions through Medicare).
The fee for a 50-60min consultation with a clinical psychologist at Your Place is $210 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 claim a rebate of $136.35 per session (maximum of 10 sessions in one calendar year). If you have been pregnant in the last 12 months your doctor may also refer you for a maximum of three non-directive counselling sessions through Medicare (current rebate $76.10 per session).
Unfortunately, Your Place does not provide psychological care through these streams.
From time to time it can be helpful to have your partner attend a session with you to discuss your support plan. Similarly in the case of non-directive counselling support you may elect to attend together as a couple. If your primary concern is a relationship break down you will need to seek couples therapy from a couples therapist.
No. Your Place is now focusing on in-clinic consultations. If you are sick or unwell telehealth can be offered in the short-term.
Gidget’s Start Talking Telehealth Program may be an alternative option if you require a telehealth service – see the Gidget website for further details and eligibility.