Birth & Perinatal Trauma Recovery Therapy in Málaga & Online

If the memory of your birth feels "stuck" in your body, or if the transition to motherhood has felt more like a constant struggle with overwhelm and anxiety rather than a celebration, you are not alone. Birth trauma isn't just about what happened; it’s about how your nervous system processed the experience.

As a Counsellor with specialised training in perinatal emotional health, I provide a safe, non-judgemental professional space to move beyond the "shell-shock" of a traumatic birth or postnatal experience. My approach is trauma-informed and neuro-affirming, ensuring that every parent—especially those navigating the world with an ADHD or neurodivergent brain—feels seen, understood, and supported.

What is Birth and Perinatal Trauma?

Perinatal trauma is not defined by a medical checklist, but by the internal experience of the person living through it. It encompasses any experience during pregnancy, childbirth, or the early postpartum period that felt physically or emotionally threatening. This significantly increases the risk of mental health disorders for the mother, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), postpartum depression (PPD), and anxiety disorder.

A Specialised Perspective: Beyond the Clinical

While birth trauma can stem from medical and neonatal emergencies and perinatal loss, such as stillbirth or miscarriage, it is often interpersonal. Many women who have experienced birth trauma describe feeling a profound loss of control during labour. They often feel that clinical agendas were prioritised over their own human needs, that they were denied their choice of birthing partner, or that they were left feeling dismissed of their embodied knowledge and coerced by their medical provider to gain compliance.

For the neurodivergent parent, this trauma can have additional layers:

• Sensory Overwhelm: A birth environment that doesn't account for ADHD or Autistic sensory profiles can, in itself, be traumatic.

• Communication Barriers: When neuro-inclusive communication is missing, a parent can feel profoundly unsafe and "unseen" by their care team.

• Autonomy & Control: For survivors of past abuse or those with a history of being "othered" by social systems, the loss of bodily autonomy in a clinical setting can trigger a deep sense of re-traumatization.

Cultural and Social Safety

Trauma does not happen in a vacuum. Your cultural roots, your identity, and your social context all shape how you experience this period. True healing must be culturally sensitive, acknowledging that a lack of safety often stems from systemic biases or a failure to respect your heritage and personal traditions. Whether you are navigating the move to a new country like Spain or managing the intersection of neurodiversity and motherhood, your experience deserves a space that honours your whole identity.

An Integrative Path to Healing Your Birth Story

Birth trauma resolution therapy, in my opinion, is not a "one-size-fits-all". My approach to healing requires more than just talking; it requires a physiological shift. This is why I integrate my mental health counselling background with my practical experience as a neuroaffirming birth coach and counsellor.

I have witnessed countless times the potential for traumatisation and the long-lasting impact that these events can have on a person's emotional and psychological well-being, as well as the bond with your baby and the family constellation as a whole. My own lived experience and healing, as well as guiding others in their own healing processes throughout the years, has allowed me to develop trauma-resolution techniques that are adapted to your neurotype—be that ADHD, Autistic, or a Highly Sensitive nervous system. This process honours your cultural and social background and fosters a sense of self and safety in new parents.

My Three-Phase Recovery Process

To ensure your healing is sustainable, our work together moves through three intentional phases and is fully customised to your needs. We don't just "treat" a symptom; we nurture a whole person.

Phase 1: Nervous System Regulation (The 3 Steps Rewind)

Before we can dive into deep counselling, we must first ensure your nervous system feels safe. In this phase, I utilise the 3 Steps Rewind technique, an evidence-informed trauma and recovery method rooted in Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP).

This is a gentle, non-intrusive process that helps to "de-activate" the heavy, distressing emotional impact of a traumatic memory. By moving the memory from the reactive part of your brain to the processing part, we reduce symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety. This creates the emotional "breathing room" needed for deeper work.

Phase 2: Deep Integration & Professional Counselling

Once the immediate distress is lowered, we move into the counselling phase. Using my background in Perinatal Mental Health Counselling and trauma-informed coaching, we explore the nuances of your experience through compassionate support.

We explore the six losses of Trauma: loss of self, world, community, time, control, and voice; the altered sense of self, and emotional dysregulation. We look at the "why" behind the feelings, process grief or anger, and begin to integrate your traumatic birth experience into your life in a way that no longer feels heavy or intrusive.

Phase 3: Navigating Matrescence & Identity

The shift into motherhood—matrescence—is a profound identity change. For neurodivergent parents, this shift can be particularly intense due to sensory processing differences and executive function challenges. We work together to build a life that honours your unique brain, focusing on autonomy and sustainable parenting coping strategies to promote a sense of wellbeing.

Why Focused Support Matters for Neurodivergent Parents

For many years, the antenatal and postnatal world has overlooked the specific needs of ADHD and Autistic parents. You might find that standard advice doesn't work for your sensory-sensitive system, or that traumatic events have exacerbated your neurodivergent traits.

My practice is built on the pillar of Neuro-Affirming Care. This means I don't try to "fix" your neurodivergence; instead, I adapt the therapeutic process to work with your brain, not against it. Whether you have a formal diagnosis or identify as highly sensitive, this is a non-judgmental space designed for your comfort and safety.

Begin Your Healing Journey in Málaga or Online

You don't have to carry the weight of a difficult birth forever. Whether you are seeking Birth Trauma Resolution in person here in Málaga or prefer the comfort of online counselling, I am here to walk alongside you.

Reach out to book a free initial consultation to find out more.