Perinatal Issues
What are APerinatal Issues?
Perinatal issues refer to emotional and psychological difficulties that can arise during pregnancy, birth, or in the period after having a baby. This can include experiences such as birth trauma, fear of childbirth (tokophobia), or the loss of a pregnancy or baby.
These experiences can be deeply personal and can affect how you feel about yourself, your body, and your role as a parent. You may feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or unsure how to process what has happened.
For some, the experience of pregnancy or birth may not match expectations, which can lead to confusion, distress, or a sense of loss. For others, the impact may relate to specific events that felt frightening or out of control.
The aim of therapy is to provide a safe and supportive space to explore these experiences, process what has happened, and help you move forward with greater understanding and stability.
How perinatal issues can show up
Perinatal difficulties can affect emotional wellbeing in a number of different ways.
You may experience anxiety, low mood, or intrusive thoughts related to pregnancy or birth.
There may be feelings of fear, particularly around childbirth, or a sense of ongoing worry about your baby or your own health.
Some people experience flashbacks or distress linked to birth trauma or loss.
Others may feel numb, disconnected, or unsure how to process their emotions.
What contributes to perinatal difficulties
Perinatal issues can develop through a combination of emotional, physical, and situational factors.
Experiences during pregnancy or birth, particularly if they felt frightening or overwhelming, can have a lasting impact.
Previous experiences, including trauma or loss, can also influence how this period is experienced.
Hormonal changes, sleep disruption, and physical recovery can affect emotional wellbeing.
Understanding these factors can help make sense of your experience.
Learn more about
Perinatal Issues
Therapists that work with
Perinatal Issues
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Client feedback
Here’s what our clients say about their journey—from first steps to lasting change.
‘’I consulted Shireen when I was overwhelmed with trauma that went back many years. I didn’t know what to expect with both CBT and EMDR. Shireen made me very comfortable with her, there is a certain warmth in her that helped me open up with much ease. She worked through all the years of my trauma very slowly, systematically whilst explaining the process to keep me informed.
Her work had miraculous effects on my emotional stability. Each session helped me instantly recover from parts of my negative experiences and cognition. Her therapy gave me a completely new outlook towards life and moving forward. I feel very positive, confident and happier to take on life’s challenges for better.’’
“With over 15 years of therapy behind me with lots of different therapists, Shireen has been the one to make a difference and have a positive impact on my life.
She has a gentle and empathetic approach, listening intently to you, whilst at the same time equipping you with the tools and confidence needed to tackle difficult situations.
Combining EMDR and CBT therapy with Shireen has been revolutionary to allow me to heal and move forward from past traumas and create new ways of approaching people and situations going forward.”
Prior to seeing Shireen, I was very skeptical about therapy as I’ve not had much past success. Due to having ASD and ADHD, I always felt previous therapists never truly understood me. However, my sessions with Shireen have completely changed my perspective. I reached out to Shireen regarding trauma and PTSD and needed intense therapy.
I was recommended EMDR. Within 8 sessions, I’ve come out of this a completely changed man. Shireen’s professionalism, empathy, patience, cooperatism, amazing listening and understanding skills; clear explanations and safe environment allowed me to be more open minded and gave me the confidence to be able to put my trust in her to work through my trauma and mental health, which has left me in a much better place mentally and emotionally. She was fully invested in me and took the time to truly listen and understand how I was feeling, which allowed us to work together to find the correct solutions.
Her EMDR sessions were intense, however, because I grew to trust her in the sessions leading up, she gave me the confidence to power through a lot of these sessions and my emotions, no matter how hard it was for me emotionally. She has been an absolute star and words cannot thank her enough for the time and effort she has put in to get me into a better place. I cannot recommend her enough, 11/10.
‘’Working with Shireen has been a truly transformative experience. She created a safe space where I feel heard and understood. Her empathy, insight and gentle guidance have helped me gain clarity, build healthier coping strategies and feel more confident in navigating life’s challenges. I deeply appreciate her professionalism, patience and genuine care for my well-being.’’
‘’Shireen took the time to truly understand me, my life, and exactly what I wanted to get out of therapy. When I first started seeing Shireen, I was going through a new relationship, and she helped me navigate it without repeating patterns I might have fallen into in the past. Later, we did several sessions of EMDR therapy, which have already made a huge difference in my way of thinking. In our final session, we were able to conclude my therapy in a thoughtful way, and I was given practical tools to take forward with me.
I wanted a therapist who wasn’t afraid to tell me the truth and keep me honest during times when I was being unreasonable, and Shireen did exactly that. Thank you, Shireen!’’
‘‘DR. Shireen helped me overcome agoraphobia-related anxiety and panic during a particularly challenging period of my life.
What I valued most was that she didn’t just listen, she provided practical CBT strategies and targeted exercises that gave me the tools to manage my anxiety, regain confidence, and better understand myself. Through her support, I developed greater self-awareness and continued to grow both personally and emotionally.
I am incredibly grateful for her help and would highly recommend her to anyone seeking a skilled, caring, and effective therapist.’’
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