Mikaela understands that becoming a parent can be both deeply rewarding and unexpectedly challenging. She recognises that the transition to parenthood can be experienced differently by mothers and fathers, shaped by gender, relationships, identity, expectations and the significant changes that come with becoming a family.

Mikaela is a Clinical Psychologist with 15 years of experience across public health, education and private practice, with particular expertise in perinatal mental health, infant development, attachment and supporting families through the early years.

Mikaela is passionate about supporting mothers and fathers as they navigate the transition to parenthood, including the emotional and relational changes that can occur during matrescence and patrescence. She is particularly interested in supporting families with newborns aged 0–12 weeks and helping parents develop confidence, connection and a deeper understanding of themselves and their baby.

Her work is informed by an understanding of the strong connection between emotional wellbeing, physical health, relationships and life experiences. Mikaela takes an integrative approach, combining an interest in nutrition, lifestyle, and body-based interventions with evidence-based psychological therapies, delivered with a warm, curious, and compassionate style. 

Alongside her role at Nurture, Mikaela is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Barwon Health and was involved in establishing the Barwon Early Parenting Centre. She has also worked therapeutically across the reproductive transitions of puberty, matrescence and menopause. 

Mikaela holds a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), a Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology and a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology). She is a Psychology Board of Australia-approved Clinical Supervisor and has additional training in infant mental health (through the RCH Infant Group), Parent-Child Mother Goose and non-directive pregnancy support counselling. She is also undertaking individual training in Gottman’s Bringing Baby Home program, complementing her expertise in perinatal mental health, relationships and the transition to parenthood.