You don’t need to earn emotional support.
You already deserve it.
Whether you are pregnant or already a mum, I know you have doubts and worries.
I know you think you should be able to do it all and that you shouldn’t have to ask for help .
Motherhood is hard, there is so much to learn and you just want to get it right.
You know how you want to parent but can’t seem to shake the worry that you might not be a good enough Mum.
That’s where I come in…
You can let go of some of that worry, because you are in the right place.
I’m Emma Holdsworth
- your mental health doula
I take care of parents so that parents can take care of their babies and children.
I am a mother of 2, parent-focused educator and therapist, perinatal support professional, breastfeeding counsellor and doula. That’s a mouthful though so you can call me The Mental Health Doula!
I am trained in counselling and Sandplay Therapy with many years of experience in women’s and children’s mental health. I also trained as a postpartum care professional with extra knowledge in infant mental health, breastfeeding and infant sleep.
I have been working with families for over 20 years and boy, have a learnt a thing or 2 along the way!
The greatest thing I have learned in all my years of working with families is this; so many of the issues that families face as their kids get older, could have been avoided by getting it right - and accessing the right support - in the early years.
I want to change the narrative around emotional support for parents and families.
I want all parents to know that;
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS NOT A LUXURY.
Emotional Support is NOT FOR WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
Emotional and mental health support is a necessity for ALL PARENTS.
Everyone needs it and everyone deserves it.
Including you.
What others have said about working with me……
“Exploring my Inner Child with Emma helped me to clear some things from my childhood that had surfaced on and off for years. Emma has a calming and supportive nature and made me feel instantly safe in her care. It was very healing for me. ”
— Cherie-mother of two.
“Emma, we have been doing the practise you taught us, every day for 2 weeks now. I can't believe the difference it has made to how I feel about my partner. I feel more emotional connection now then I ever have, even before the baby was born!
Thank you so much Emma, truly. We are really grateful".
— Sally-new mum.
“thank you so so much for facilitating the most special mother's blessing I could ever have imagined, it honestly blew me away and will be a day I always remember & treasure.
Many of my girlfriends have said to me how much they loved it also and learnt so much too.
I'm so grateful there are women out there like you supporting women on their journey to motherhood and beyond..”
— Hannah-mum to be
Qualifications and training
include;
Dual Diploma in Community Welfare and Counselling - ICCS.
Newborn Mothers Postpartum Professional - Newborn Mothers.
Certificate IV in Breastfeeding Education - Australian Breastfeeding Association.
Introductory Certificate in Infant Mental Health - WCHN
Sandplay Therapy Practitioner - Sandplay Therapy Australia.
I have completed the 2021 NDC Program for Providers and Educators by Possums & Co www.possumsonline.com
And this year I am working through the comprehensive Doula training provided by The Doula Training Academy.
Founded a successful private Family Counselling Practice which I ran for 7 years called Tree House Family Counselling.
“Yeah but Emma, who are you really?”
👈These 2 girls are my lifeblood and parenting a preteen and a preschooler is bloody hard work! (need support parenting any age? I can help)
👩👧👧 I am a single mum and have a great working relationship and friendship with my co-parent. (need support separating with kids? I can help)
👩🦰 I’m a lover of deep conversations with good people AND public speaking but I don’t enjoy small talk - go figure! (want me to speak to your group/class about something? Happy to)
❤️🩹I have had a big life with lots of love, travel and interesting jobs - as well as my fair share of heartache, pain and loss.
🦹♀I am committed to trying something new, fun and out of my comfort zone every year. Last year I starting Roller Skating and this year I have joined a Roller Derby League. (Do you need support to find something that is just for YOU? I can help.)
🤰🏽 I found pregnancy very challenging, experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, an early pregnancy loss and an ectopic pregnancy. I seriously love all things birth and babies though, including my experience of both. (Please reach out if you need support with grief and loss, HG or pregnancy complications, I
Here are some of my fave blog posts for your reading pleasure;
You can learn more about me and what I stand for (and check out my reels!) by following my Instagram;
