Unique Beginnings

08/11/2025

Maternal Mental Health is very close to my heart in the work that I do. Because the ripple effect is massive for women and birthing people. During my research project (that can be viewed in the link attached) it became apparent the rippling effect mental health has over the perinatal period (pregnancy and beyond) and the relationships with the newborn, partners, whanau and then impacting future decision on childbearing.
The Hope Foundation has come about because of more passionate people who see the gaps within the health system and want to grow awareness and support. Please come along and support, I will be there with my mum Unique Fit, so come say hello.

https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/traumatic-birth/

Send a message to learn more

03/11/2025

This question became the heart of my Master of Counselling research at Massey University:
How does the experience of a traumatic birth affect women’s sense of self: A systematic
review of qualitative and Kaupapa Māori studies.

My systematic review explores the emotional and psychological imprints of birth trauma, drawing from both academic inquiry and lived experience. It’s a vulnerable piece of work, and for a long time I believed it needed to go through a journal to be published in order for it to be considered “valid.”

But I’ve come to realise its true power lies in the conversations it sparks.
This year, I’ve shared my findings with local organisations and professionals—and the response has been humbling. There’s a growing recognition that birth trauma is real, impactful, and deserving of attention.

If you’re curious, or know someone who might benefit from support around their birth experience, I’d love to connect. Let’s keep the conversation going

📞 Phone: 021 066 0394
Website: https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/

Check out my one and only Blog post for the research:
https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/traumatic-birth/

03/11/2025

Often I hear from clients, 'I wish I had reached out sooner or known about your service'.

So please share around your groups and friends.

Check out my online home at https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/

Feel free to click around and let know know if you have any questions or concerns.

24/10/2025

Such an amazing day with the team at Te Aroha Noa, deepening our understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how this informs our own identity, the organisation and as practitioners 🌀

Ngā mihi nui ki ngā kaimahi tokorua nō Te Atakura, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University) i tae mai ki tō mātou whare o Te Aroha Noa i tēnei rā. 💚

He wānanga hōhonu, he wairua mahana, he mauri ora! We’re so grateful for the mātauranga, aroha and kōrero shared as we deepened our understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the constitutional document of Aotearoa.

Mā te ako ka mārama, mā te mārama ka tū tika. 🤍

23/10/2025

Something unique about Unique Beginnings is that counseling sessions can flow alongside lactation support or infant and child development.

Please reach out if you are needing support
https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/

21/10/2025

Self care/grounding doesn’t have to be big!

For me moments like this happen often in the day, like little 1-2min resets. In this moment the day is ending, with the kids in bed the last thing is taking the dog out (the cat also likes to join). Often it can be a rushed moment as I really wanting to be in bed. Tonight it’s a slow moment as my shoulders are tight, currently experiencing a headache. Which I don’t usually get. However, interesting fact, it was around this time last year while completing my research project that I last experienced it. Perhaps, it is due to the end of the year approaching sooner than expected and this time I am supporting the post graduate counselling program with finial assignment marking. My brain fatigues very easily with reading words.

Remember small moments each day help, it doesn’t have to be bigger/longer or harder in order for it to count 🫶 make self care assessable and achievable. (This is a message for myself also😉).

19/10/2025

As a professional I have been supporting women and families specifically around birth and parenthood for over 15 years. My professional life has moved in ways that has been inspired by women's experiences and stories.

From sitting and listening to the experiences of women around birth, I decided to carry out my Masters research on Traumatic birth experiences, curious to gain a deeper understanding if what was being shared within the counselling space was in fact connected with other women's experiences.

Because experiences of Birth Trauma are not often expressed or understood within our culture. Women, birthing person, men, partners or health professionals often do not realise that Birth Trauma is complex and multifaceted.

Since presenting my findings to local organisations and talking amongst professionals, there has been a growing curiousness and request to read this systematic review.

There has been a part of me that feels very vulnerable to share this review. As I felt it needed to be published as an article in order for it to be truly valued/approved. Which is true as a Journal has to be peer reviewed within a process of approval for publication.

This will still continue to be explored in the background. However, for now I am in the process of publishing this to my website, in order for those who wish to have a read, can do so.

A big reason for sharing this, is that I have found the themes really come to life when explored with others, it helps start a conversation and it is within these conversations that awareness of Birth Trauma can be addressed, understood and acknowledged.

So watch this space and comment below........ if you are interested to read it and I will make sure to tag this in.

17/10/2025

What are your thoughts when someone is trying to help by saying ‘just remember, when one door closes another opens!’

Is it truly that simple?

At Unique Beginnings we are aware that it is not always this simple and the fact is, when a door closes there are times where we feel, lost, confused, angry, sad, disbelief, overwhelmed, deflated, depressed and so much more.

This can impact on our mental, physical and spiritual health along with the relationships surrounding us.

Please reach out if you are needing some help to support in this transitional time of doors closing. Because another layer is that it can trigger old wounds or beliefs about ourselves, such as I am failing, I am not good enough or enough, I am not worthy of love or being loved.

Check out https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/
Or call today 021 066 0394

14/10/2025

This last week people may or may not be aware that is Baby loss awareness week (9-15 Oct). While building awareness within our communities is important to break down stigma, it can be difficult for those who are trying to make sense and make meaning as they navigate the grief in loss.

SANDS are an incredible group of volunteers throughout Aotearoa.
While completing my Masters of Counselling last year, I had the privilege of joining this course to develop my skills deeper and wider for our communities.

Please reach out if you are needing one to one or couples counselling as you navigate these waters.
https://uniquebeginnings.co.nz/birth-story-listening/

10/10/2025

This was an amazing event to attend. It has been a while since getting together with other Lactation consultants, given the last 2 years has been completing my Masters of Counselling. So great to connect with old and new faces 🫶

08/10/2025

At Unique Beginnings it is important that people can assess face to face counselling sessions. When this isn’t possible then video calls are the next best thing at times.