What to Expect From Your Perinatal Mental Health Therapy
You’ve booked your therapy session, here’s what happens next.
Pre-Session: What You’ll Receive
Within a few days of booking, you'll receive a welcome email that includes:
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A short message with appointment details
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An informed consent form to read and sign
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A brief questionnaire about your experiences and what brings you to therapy
Please complete and submit these at least 2 days before your appointment. This helps me understand a bit about you and what you're experiencing, and it ensures we can make the best use of our time together.
If you have any questions about the forms or need anything adjusted, just let me know.
What the Session Will Be Like
This is a space to talk about what's happening in your world right now, your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and challenges around perinatal mental health. Our conversation might explore:
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How you're feeling physically and emotionally
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Your relationships and support systems
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Your experiences as a parent or preparing to become one
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Worries, overwhelm, or anything that feels heavy
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What matters to you and what you need right now
There's no script or checklist. I'll follow your lead, and you're welcome to go off-topic, share stories, or sit quietly if that's what you need. You can be yourself.
I'll be sitting in the room with you with a warm tea or coffee (and you're welcome to have one too if you'd like).
Finding Me
This is what the Byford Therapy Collective looks like from the front.
Address:
2/872 S Western Hwy, Byford WA 6122
(in between the barber and atomic pilates).
This is what the car park looks like. There are free parking spaces that are not time limited. There is no shade. There are several bays with signage for our clinic as well as other businesses, but if they are full, you can park in any non-marked space.
Please arrive a few minutes early so you have time to settle. When you arrive, I'll come and say hello as soon as I'm able. If I'm still with another client, my door will be closed. You're welcome to wait in the reception area on the chairs, and I'll be with you as soon as I can. I'll show you where the toilets are and let you know how long until our session starts.
This is what the room looks like. As I'm only using the room one day per week (Fridays), it may change slightly from this photo. This is with the lights off, which I prefer. Sometimes I turn on the floor lamp. I tend not to use the "big light" (ceiling light). Please let me know your lighting preference on the day or as we go. You're welcome to choose any seat (or the floor) that feels most comfortable for you.
Accessibility & Support Options
Your comfort and wellbeing matter. You're welcome to email me if you need anything adjusted before or during our sessions. Here are some examples of things you might request:
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Bringing a support person with you
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Suggestions for comfort items or fidget tools
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A particular seating arrangement
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Adjusting how we talk about certain topics
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Alternative session lengths
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Movement during the session (walking, stretching, or changing position)
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Anything else that helps you feel more supported
Access needs are welcome and normal. You don’t need to explain or justify them — just let me know what works best for you.
During the Session
Please make sure:
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You've had a chance to use the toilet, have water or a drink nearby if you'd like
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You have any comfort items you might need
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You feel free to take breaks, move, stretch, or step away if needed
If you're a new parent or expecting, you're also welcome to bring your baby or child (more information is in my informed consent form), or have arrangements in place that feel manageable for you. We can work around whatever your current reality looks like.
If You Need to Reschedule
Life with perinatal mental health challenges is unpredictable. If you need to reschedule for any reason, a sick child, your own overwhelm, or anything else, please just let me know as soon as you can via email at hello@sarahharrower.com.
After the Session
If you think of something you'd like to explore or if something comes up that felt important, you're welcome to jot it down or email me so we can address it in our next appointment. This helps me understand what's most pressing for you. Ongoing support will be discussed together as we go. We'll work out what feels manageable and supportive for you.
My Intention for This Space
My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and held exactly as you are, in whatever season you're in. Perinatal mental health can feel isolating, overwhelming, or confusing, and this is a place where those feelings are valid and welcome. There's no "right way" to feel or parent. My role is to listen, support, and walk alongside you as you navigate this significant time in your life.