Catherine Vij

I offer both long-term and short-term therapy options, available in person or online. As an integrative therapist, I draw from a diverse range of approaches, including person-centred therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and psychodynamic methods. This flexibility allows me to tailor our sessions to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in a way that best meets your unique needs.

Face to face sessions will be held at my consulting rooms in Greenwich South  East London or on line via Microsoft team .I currently have avilability on Wednesday ,Thursdays and Fridays . 

I offer a free 15 minute consultion via telephone to see if we are the right fit . 

Supporting the emotional transition to parenthood

Becoming a parent is one of the most significant transitions in life. While it can bring love and joy, it can also bring unexpected emotions, uncertainty, loss, anxiety, exhaustion and a sense of no longer quite recognising yourself.

I provide individual therapy for women and men, with a particular focus on maternal mental health, perinatal wellbeing and the emotional transition to parenthood. I support parents who may be struggling to make sense of this new chapter in their lives, whether during pregnancy, after the birth of a baby, or as they adjust to life as a parent.

Sometimes the difficulties are obvious; at other times, parents simply know that they are not feeling like themselves. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low, isolated or exhausted, questioning whether you are doing things "right", or struggling with the expectations you had of yourself and of parenthood.

I support clients experiencing perinatal anxiety and low mood, difficulties adjusting to parenthood, changes in identity and relationships, grief and loss, difficult or unexpected experiences of pregnancy or birth, and the emotional challenges of becoming a mother or father.

There can be a particular tension in parenthood between loving your baby and finding this new life incredibly difficult. Parents can feel guilty for having these feelings, especially when they believe they should be enjoying this time. Therapy can offer a space to explore these experiences without judgement and begin to understand what is happening beneath them.

My experience

Before becoming a therapist, I spent over 20 years working in the NHS as a health visitor, providing specialist support to mothers, fathers and infants, including supporting families experiencing mental health difficulties.

During this time, I met many parents who were exhausted, isolated, grieving, overwhelmed and questioning themselves. I saw first-hand how difficult the transition to parenthood can be and how easily parents can feel that they are falling short of impossible expectations.My counselling experience includes working with MIND bereavement service and the charity Mums Aid. Supporting clients with loss, perinatal mental health concerns and family and relationship difficulties .

This experience has shaped my therapeutic work and my belief that parents need space to talk honestly about the reality of becoming a parent — not just the parts that are celebrated.

The first session will be an assessment session

We will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy .

I will explain how I work

We will agree on your regular day and time ,which will be reserved for you .

We will discuss confidentiality ,safeguarding and how I store your data.