rachel howe
perinatal mental health ot.
Specialist perinatal mental health occupational therapy.
Rach is our Mental Health Occupational Therapist who walks alongside parents through the beautiful, messy and sometimes completely unexpected journey of conception, pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
With lived experience herself, Rach has a particular passion for supporting LGBTQ+ parents and families navigating parenthood outside the traditional mould. Her door is open to every kind of parent and family, everyone deserves to feel understood and supported through such a huge season of life.
Rach knows becoming a parent is so much more than a life event, it can shift your identity, relationships and the way your whole world works. Warm, curious and non-judgemental, she gives you space to unpack the hard bits, make sense of the changes and figure out what you need along the way.
Alongside her perinatal work, Rach has a special interest and experience in neurodivergence, sex and intimacy, and eating disorders.
What RACHEL supports.
Rachel supports women and non-binary parents (as well as those exploring the journey into parenthood). Her practice is grounded in evidence-based interventions and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on emotional, sensory, and functional wellbeing during the perinatal period.
Whether you are (or are becoming) a birthing or non-birthing parent, Rachel works collaboratively with you to navigate each stage of this transition with compassion, clarity, and practical support.
Rachel draws from a range of evidence-based, occupation-focused and therapeutic approaches, including:
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Circle of Security (COS)
Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC)
Functional cognitive interventions
Areas of focus include:
Prenatal and postnatal anxiety, depression and rage
Traumatic or complex pregnancy and birth experiences
Fertility and birth trauma
Parenthood feels overwhelming
Navigating LGBTQ+ parenthood as a couple
Losing yourself in parenthood
Intrusive thoughts
Sex or intimacy concerns
Neurodivergent parenting
Sensory or emotional overwhelm
Eating disorders or body image concerns
Matrescence
Rach also offers EMDR therapy - EMDR is a powerful trauma focused therapy for processing trauma, phobias and distressing experiences.
how it works.
Rachel offers Telehealth appointments Australia-wide.
Qualifications.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Graduate Diploma of Perinatal Mental Health
Better Access to Mental Health endorsed
Fees.
Standard consultation: $220
You do not need a doctor’s referral to see Rachel privately. Please note that Medicare rebates are not available for private (self-referred) sessions.
To access Medicare rebates through the Australian Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative, you will need a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) from your GP. With an eligible MHCP, rebates are available for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
Clients are responsible for the full fee at the time of consultation, with Medicare rebates processed after the appointment. Please email us your referral or relevant paperwork prior to your first session. If you do not receive your Medicare rebate within a few days, please contact us at info@samewellness.com.au.
Some private health insurers offer rebates for occupational therapy services, depending on your level of cover.
NDIS funding is accepted.
Occupational therapy services are provided by registered occupational therapists practising within the scope defined by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
Telehealth consultations are available Australia-wide. Service availability and eligibility may vary depending on location, practitioner type, and regulatory requirements.
Occupational therapy services are provided by registered occupational therapists who practise within the scope defined by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Support is focused on functional, sensory, emotional, and daily life needs, and does not constitute medical or psychological diagnosis.
Telehealth consultations are available Australia-wide. Service availability and eligibility may vary by location, practitioner type, and regulatory requirements.