Dr Emma Black, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Emma Black, Clinical Psychologist Dr Emma Black offers clinical psychology services to support women and young women to improve their lives.

It's only Tuesday, but feels like I've lived a whole week inside two days. I've been bouncing between school, work, and ...
09/12/2025

It's only Tuesday, but feels like I've lived a whole week inside two days.

I've been bouncing between school, work, and home, along with the december demands.

Anyone else relate?

Between laundry, dishes, and keeping a tiny human (or humans) alive, some days feel endless. And it can look and feel li...
07/12/2025

Between laundry, dishes, and keeping a tiny human (or humans) alive, some days feel endless. And it can look and feel like you've done nothing and achieved nothing when you're in the daily grind - even though you've barely had time to scratch yourself.



Even on days you feel invisible, your presence has meaning. Mattering isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. Eve...
04/12/2025

Even on days you feel invisible, your presence has meaning.
Mattering isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection. Every hug, every small task, every moment counts more than you realise.

We don't always get the feedback we need from others to feel like we matter, especially when life is busy or you have little people. And sometimes, this needs to change. Steps to achieve this are discussed in the blog :)

Kind wishes,

Emma





psychologist

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed during pregnancy? Both gentle stretches and focused breathing can calm the mind and body...
01/12/2025

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed during pregnancy?

Both gentle stretches and focused breathing can calm the mind and body.

There is evidence that pregnancy yoga can help reduce stress in pregnancy, as well as having benefits for birth and beyond.

If yoga isn't your jam, then 5 minutes of daily breathing exercises can also manage stress in pregnancy. Practising long exhales (for example, for a count of 8 or 10) can make a difference!

Kind wishes,

Emma







Many women are their own harshest critics. Practicing self-compassion is a simple way to reduce stress and negative emot...
28/11/2025

Many women are their own harshest critics. Practicing self-compassion is a simple way to reduce stress and negative emotions. A gentle shift in how you talk to yourself can change your day and your wellbeing.

Kind wishes,

Emma




Postnatal anxiety isn’t always obvious. Feeling tense, exhausted, or on edge doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’r...
25/11/2025

Postnatal anxiety isn’t always obvious. Feeling tense, exhausted, or on edge doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human.

Recognising the signs early helps you take care of yourself and your baby. If you notice these signs, consider seeing your GP or a therapist.

anxiety


This week is all about reminding new parents that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness. Recovery is possible, a...
25/11/2025

This week is all about reminding new parents that seeking support is a strength, not a weakness. Recovery is possible, and even small steps toward care make a big difference. You’re never alone on this journey.




When you grieve the loss of a pregnancy or baby, people understand this grief. Sometimes, when you are trying to have a ...
24/11/2025

When you grieve the loss of a pregnancy or baby, people understand this grief.
Sometimes, when you are trying to have a baby, there are other losses and grief that might not be as well understood, or offered as much grace.

It starts with trying to conceive. Each month that you get your period, there is grief for the pregnancy that didn’t happen. Each fertility intervention that doesn’t work is the same- the hope of pregnancy getting dashed, and grief for this loss.

In pregnancy, there can be grief for many things.
For the happy pregnancy that didn’t happen.
For your actual baby or babies being different to your imagined baby (for example, when you are disappointed about their gender, or have multiple babies when you’d planned on one).
For the loss of your imagined pregnancy, particularly when you navigate stresses like HG, prenatal diagnosis, or a personal crisis or diagnosis.

At birth, there can be grief about not having your imagined or ideal birth, and for things going sideways. There can be grief at not getting the ‘golden hour’ after birth, at being separated from your baby (if this is needed), or other events.

In postpartum, breastfeeding can be an important goal, so if this doesn’t persist- there is grief. When you struggle with postpartum mental illness, a colicky or distressed baby, or the relationship with your partner becomes horribly tense – you can grieve the happy mat leave you’d expected and imagined, along with beautiful time with your baby and partner. It is also common to grieve your old life and your old self, as life changes dramatically.

These are the sorts of grief that don’t feel ok to talk about.

These are the sorts of grief that don’t always get you the support from others.

You are not alone in feeling these types of grief, and they are valid.

A little support can go a long way when you feel like this.

Grief is grief.

You matter, and your experiences matter.

Kind wishes,

Emma



Perinatal LossWhen growing a family, many women have experienced perinatal loss. It takes many forms: chemical pregnancy...
24/11/2025

Perinatal Loss

When growing a family, many women have experienced perinatal loss. It takes many forms: chemical pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancies. Termination for medical reasons, and termination for other reasons. Stillbirth and infant loss.

All are heartbreaking.
All shape your family in ways you don’t expect.
And all too often, the grief and loss from losing a baby remains hidden. It’s not always easy to talk about, and responses from others are not always helpful.

Navigating this alone is tough. If you need support with loss, please seek it.
Talk to safe people.
Access online resources, such as through the Pink Elephants Support Network and SANDS.
Around-the-clock phone support is also available through SANDS.

Your grief matters.
Your baby matters, regardless of how many days, weeks, or months you had them as part of your family.

Gentle wishes,

Emma




This week is Perinatal Mental Health Week. It’s an important week. When women have babies, it’s the most vulnerable time...
23/11/2025

This week is Perinatal Mental Health Week.

It’s an important week. When women have babies, it’s the most vulnerable time for mental health to get shaky. It’s something we should all be aware of.

There are so many changes and demands happening all at once, that everyone can have moments or days of being challenged. When unexpected symptoms happen (like intrusive thoughts), or there are unexpected changes (like tension with your partner), it can be harder to cope.

In honour of this week, and to support women having babies, I’ve made all postpartum programs 30% off, for this week only.

✨Transitioning to Motherhood: Six steps for new mums to cope is for first-time mums to grow into their strengths as a parent. Motherhood expectations are reflected on, practical steps to take care of yourself (emotionally and physically) while you care for baby, and how to build support around you is covered. There are specific steps to cope and manage the stresses of early motherhood, how to bond with your baby, and to grow your parenting confidence and strengths. For this week, it’s now only $174.50.

✨Let’s Talk About Scary Thoughts After Birth… and what to do about them is an audio-based mini course that tells you everything you need to know about frightening thoughts about your baby. The scary ones about dropping your baby, SIDS, forgetting your baby in the car, or even hurting your baby. There are practical steps to cope with, and survive these thoughts- because you are not alone. Now only $25.90.

Both are available here: dr-emma-black.teachable.com/

Kind wishes,

Emma




Feeling stressed? Change what your body is doing to relieve some of the tension it's carrying. Do some strong stretches-...
18/11/2025

Feeling stressed?
Change what your body is doing to relieve some of the tension it's carrying.
Do some strong stretches- sometimes, applying more tension can help shift the stress in your body. Or, practise long exhales. Changing your breath changes your physiology.
Taking intentional time for yourself can help reset your mind and body, even if it's just a couple of minutes.






Me to my other half: I need an author photo, let’s go do it in nature. Nature: Like heck you will. HeheSo after a couple...
17/11/2025

Me to my other half: I need an author photo, let’s go do it in nature.
Nature: Like heck you will. Hehe

So after a couple of months of life being busy, my other half (and photographer) and I finally arranged some time to get author photos for my upcoming books. Except, within the first 2 minutes of this, it started raining. Hence my ‘drowned rat chic’. I don’t think we’ll use these ones 🤣

I swear, only in the tropics can you be getting rained on whilst also sweating at the same time!


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Level 1, Clinical Practice Building, 1 James Cook Drive
Hyde Park, QLD
4811

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+61747814495

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About

Dr. Emma Black earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Deakin University in Melbourne. Her doctoral thesis explored the relationships between self-injury, disordered eating, and personality traits. Emma has worked both clinically and in research; this has cemented the importance of relying on science to inform her clinical work and discussions with clients. Emma has worked in a variety of settings, including trauma services, public mental health, hospital, education, and private practice. She has experience working with individuals and facilitating group sessions. Emma’s first professional role involved working for a sexual assault service for several years, which started Emma’s passion, interest, and commitment to supporting women.

Dr. Emma Black is a registered psychologist and endorsed as a Clinical Psychologist. Emma is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, and a fellow of the College of Clinical Psychology. Emma is also an approved supervising psychologist by the Psychology Board of Australia and can supervise all intern pathways as well as clinical registrars.