Pregnancy and Postnatal Support

Becoming a parent is profound. Having the right support makes all the difference.

Becoming a parent is profound. Having the right support makes all the difference.

Specialist pregnancy and postnatal therapy in Northern Ireland. We support parents through the anxiety, low mood, birth trauma and identity shifts of the perinatal period with warmth, expertise and complete freedom from judgment.

Specialist pregnancy and postnatal therapy in Northern Ireland. We support parents through the anxiety, low mood, birth trauma and identity shifts of the perinatal period with warmth, expertise and complete freedom from judgment.

Calm counselling room with two armchairs for therapy sessions in Northern Ireland

Supporting Parents Through the Perinatal Period

Supporting Parents Through the Perinatal Period

Antenatal Anxiety, Fear of Birth and Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy is not always the uncomplicated joy that social narratives suggest. Antenatal anxiety, fear of childbirth, pregnancy after loss, and the complex emotions that can accompany high-risk pregnancies are all experiences that deserve proper support. Our therapists provide a space where the full complexity of the pregnancy experience can be held without judgment or the pressure to simply be grateful.

Postnatal Depression, Birth Trauma and the Reality of New Parenthood

Postnatal depression affects a significant minority of new parents and is still widely under-recognised and under-treated. Birth trauma, the identity upheaval of becoming a parent, relationship changes, and the gap between expectations and reality can all contribute to significant distress. Therapy provides vital support for parents who are struggling and who deserve more than being told it gets better with time.

Support in Northern Ireland

NI Counselling provides specialist pregnancy and postnatal therapy across Northern Ireland. Our therapists are experienced in supporting parents through all aspects of the perinatal period. All sessions are completely confidential and free from judgment. In-person and online sessions are available.

Our Service Areas:

Belfast City

Co. Antrim

Co. Down

Derry/L'Derry

Remote NI

UK-wide Online

Expert Methodologies for Lasting Relief

We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We utilize the gold standard of evidence-based psychological interventions.

Perinatal Mental Health Expertise

Our therapists have specific knowledge and experience of perinatal mental health, understanding the particular landscape of pregnancy and early parenthood. This expertise means you do not have to explain the basics of your experience -- we already understand the territory.

Processing Birth Trauma

Traumatic birth experiences can have a lasting impact on mental health, parenting confidence and relationships. We use specialist trauma approaches to process these experiences carefully, reducing their grip on the present and creating space for a healthier and more connected relationship with parenthood.

Identity and the Transition to Parenthood

Becoming a parent involves one of the most significant identity shifts a person can experience. We provide a thoughtful space to navigate this transition, exploring what it means for who you are, what you have gained and lost, and how to build a sense of self that holds both your own identity and your role as a parent.

Meet our Team

Meet our Team

Our team is hand-selected not just for their clinical excellence, but for their empathetic, editorial approach to modern mental health.

Our team is hand-selected not just for their clinical excellence, but for their empathetic, editorial approach to modern mental health.

Portrait of Tory Stirling, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Tory Stirling

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Tory is a BACP registered integrative counsellor with specialist experience in complex trauma, bereavement and neurodiversity, including over ten years working in the field of autism. Flexible, relational and neuroaffirming in approach, she supports adults across a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

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Portrait of Raymond McLean, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Raymond McLean

Adult Counsellor

Raymond is a dually registered integrative counsellor with extensive experience across community and private mental health settings. Person-centred, warm and adaptable, he supports adults through anxiety, bereavement, trauma, low mood and workplace stress from his Antrim practice.

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Portrait of Steven Montgomery, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Steven Montgomery

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Steven is a NCPS registered integrative counsellor offering a safe, non-judgmental space for adults navigating anxiety, low mood, grief, identity and relationship difficulties. Warm, accessible and person-centred at his core, he works collaboratively to build self-understanding and resilience.

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Portrait of Orla McFadden, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Orla McFadden

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Orla is a BACP registered integrative counsellor offering online and telephone sessions. Drawing on person-centred, CBT and psychodynamic approaches, she creates a safe, collaborative space for adults working through depression, anxiety, bereavement, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties.

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Portrait of Sarah Etheridge, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Sarah Etheridge

Adult Counsellor

Sarah is a BACP registered counsellor with specialist training in IFS, trauma and attachment. Working through a person-centred and psychodynamic lens, she offers a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship to support adults with anxiety, grief, trauma, PTSD and a wide range of personal difficulties.

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Portrait of Orla Cogill, adult psychotherapist at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Orla Cogill

Adult Psychotherapist

Orla Cogill is a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist supporting adults with anxiety, depression, trauma, low mood and stress. Orla integrates CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and EMDR, tailoring sessions to individual sensory and processing needs. She offers a warm, evidence-based approach, helping clients build self-understanding, self-compassion and practical coping skills.

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Portrait of Robyn Lough, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Robyn Lough

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Robyn is a BACP registered integrative counsellor based in Banbridge. Warm, collaborative and solution-aware in her approach, she supports adults through anxiety, bereavement, trauma, neurodivergence and a wide range of life challenges, offering in-person, online and telephone sessions.

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Portrait of Michelle Duffy, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Michelle Duffy

Adult Counsellor

Michelle Duffy is an MBACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over 11 years' clinical experience. Michelle works with adults, young people and children experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties. She offers an integrative, creative approach, including EMDR, helping clients heal and move forward with confidence.

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Portrait of Tory Stirling, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Tory Stirling

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Portrait of Steven Montgomery, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Steven Montgomery

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Portrait of Sarah Etheridge, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Sarah Etheridge

Adult Counsellor

Portrait of Robyn Lough, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Robyn Lough

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Portrait of Raymond McLean, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Raymond McLean

Adult Counsellor

Portrait of Orla McFadden, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Orla McFadden

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Portrait of Tory Stirling, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Tory Stirling

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Tory is a BACP registered integrative counsellor with specialist experience in complex trauma, bereavement and neurodiversity, including over ten years working in the field of autism. Flexible, relational and neuroaffirming in approach, she supports adults across a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

Expand

Portrait of Robyn Lough, integrative adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Robyn Lough

Integrative Adult Counsellor

Robyn is a BACP registered integrative counsellor based in Banbridge. Warm, collaborative and solution-aware in her approach, she supports adults through anxiety, bereavement, trauma, neurodivergence and a wide range of life challenges, offering in-person, online and telephone sessions.

Expand

Portrait of Steven Montgomery, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Steven Montgomery

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Steven is a NCPS registered integrative counsellor offering a safe, non-judgmental space for adults navigating anxiety, low mood, grief, identity and relationship difficulties. Warm, accessible and person-centred at his core, he works collaboratively to build self-understanding and resilience.

Expand

Portrait of Raymond McLean, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Raymond McLean

Adult Counsellor

Raymond is a dually registered integrative counsellor with extensive experience across community and private mental health settings. Person-centred, warm and adaptable, he supports adults through anxiety, bereavement, trauma, low mood and workplace stress from his Antrim practice.

Expand

Portrait of Sarah Etheridge, adult counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Sarah Etheridge

Adult Counsellor

Sarah is a BACP registered counsellor with specialist training in IFS, trauma and attachment. Working through a person-centred and psychodynamic lens, she offers a warm, trusting therapeutic relationship to support adults with anxiety, grief, trauma, PTSD and a wide range of personal difficulties.

Expand

Portrait of Orla McFadden, adult integrative counsellor at NI Counselling in Northern Ireland

Orla McFadden

Adult Integrative Counsellor

Orla is a BACP registered integrative counsellor offering online and telephone sessions. Drawing on person-centred, CBT and psychodynamic approaches, she creates a safe, collaborative space for adults working through depression, anxiety, bereavement, low self-esteem and relationship difficulties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I feel like I should be happy but I am not. Does that mean something is wrong with me?

Can fathers and non-birthing partners access postnatal support?

I think I experienced birth trauma. Can therapy help?