Perinatal & women's mental health therapy in Bristol
Evidence-based therapy for every stage of your reproductive journey. From fertility challenges and pregnancy after loss to fear of childbirth, birth trauma, miscarriage, baby loss, and the emotional impact of women's health conditions.
At the heart of my work is compassion and a deep respect for each person's story
Meet Dr Aditi Sharma, an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with over 11 years of NHS experience working across clinical health psychology, neuropsychology and mental health services.
Perinatal & Women's psychological support
As a Clinical Psychologist, I draw on a range of different therapies to shape our work together. Therapy is always tailored to your individual needs, goals and values, whether you're dealing with a specific challenge or seeking space to understand yourself more deeply.
Pregnancy-related anxiety, including tokophobia
Pregnancy can bring excitement, hope, and also uncertainty and worry. For some, these worries can feel overwhelming and persistent, and may include intense fear of childbirth, known as tokophobia.
Learn more →Traumatic or stressful birth
Many people experience birth in ways that feel traumatic or emotionally overwhelming, leaving lasting emotional effects including flashbacks, anxiety, guilt, or difficulty bonding.
Learn more →Emotional adjustment to parenthood and changes in identity
Becoming a parent often involves profound changes in identity, relationships, and daily life. Feelings of overwhelm, sadness, or disconnection do not mean something is "wrong" with you.
Learn more →Burnout & stress
Recover from exhaustion and chronic stress, and build sustainable ways of coping.
Learn more →Women's health conditions, including endometriosis and adenomyosis
Chronic women's health conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or persistent pain can significantly impact emotional wellbeing, relationships, and daily functioning.
Learn more →Trauma as a result of hospital, gynaecological, or obstetric care
Medical or hospital experiences, including gynaecological or obstetric care, can sometimes be experienced as traumatic, affecting trust in healthcare and emotional wellbeing.
Learn more →Health anxiety and fears around medical procedures
Some people experience persistent worry or anxiety related to health or medical procedures. A difficult or traumatic birth can also lead to heightened worry about your own or your baby's health.
Learn more →A gentle path into therapy
A simple, three-step journey designed to help you feel comfortable from the very first conversation.
Free Consultation
Step oneGet in touch to arrange a free 15-minute call, a relaxed chance to:
- Introduce yourself and ask any questions
- Explore whether this feels like the right fit
Initial Assessment
Step twoIn your initial assessment, we focus on:
- Your experience: what you're facing and what matters most
- Your history: how things have developed over time
- Your goals: what you hope to get from therapy
Together we begin developing a shared understanding of your experiences, which helps shape a tailored plan for the therapy that follows.
Ongoing Psychological Therapy
Step threeWe work together, guided by your needs and pace, drawing integratively on specialist approaches tailored to your goals. This may include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Therapy that's collaborative, tailored and genuinely yours
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model, I draw integratively on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Together we'll make sense of what you're experiencing and find a way forward that fits your life and the way you want to live.
- CBT
- ACT
- CFT
- EMDR
Not sure where to start?
Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute consultation. It's a relaxed chance to talk through what's on your mind and see whether working together feels right.