For parents and carers
Support for you and your baby
If you’re pregnant or have a baby under two, and things feel hard, we’re here. Our infant-parent psychotherapy is free for eligible families on low incomes.
Who we help
Families carrying a lot
We work with parents-to-be and parents of babies up to 24 months, especially families facing:
- poor mental health, such as post-partum psychosis (we work alongside adult mental health services)
- postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD or PTSD, including birth trauma
- a premature or very low birth weight baby
- domestic abuse, once you are no longer in the abusive relationship
- past dependence on alcohol or drugs, while receiving help
- leaving care, or many difficult childhood experiences
- bringing up a baby alone
- pregnancy or birth during lockdown
Where we work
To use our free service, families need to live in one of these London boroughs:
- Merton
- Sutton
- Wandsworth
- Kingston
- Richmond
Live somewhere else? Get in touch anyway and we’ll try to help you find support nearer to you.
How it works
What happens when you get in touch
Get in touch
Email us or ask a professional to refer you. You can also download our referral form and send it to us.
We talk
We reply within 48 hours and arrange a first conversation about you, your baby and what you need.
We meet you where you are
Sessions take place at home, online or somewhere local, such as a children’s centre or hospital.
We notice change together
We use validated tools to track progress, so you can see how far you and your baby have come.
Referrals
Two ways to reach us
There are no waiting-list forms to fill in before you can talk to us. Choose whichever is easier.
Parents and carers
You can contact us yourself. Email the team and tell us a little about you and your baby. We’ll reply within 48 hours.
Professionals
Health visitors, GPs, midwives, paediatricians, social workers and mental health teams can refer a family using our referral form. Please email the completed form to team@au-milieu.org.
Downloads
Forms and leaflets
Print them, share them, or keep them for your team.
Referral form
Fill it in on screen, tick the boxes and type your signature, then email it to team@au-milieu.org.
Leaflet for parents
What we do, who we help and how to get in touch. Good to give to a family.
Brochure
Our mission, services, how we work and who can be referred. For professionals and partners.
In parents’ words
“I feel lighter now”
I feel lighter now, like some of the feelings have been able to go out of me.
A mother we worked with
I’ve come a long way since our first session. My baby wants me, not the toy I’m using to distract her.
A mother we worked with
This work is helping me remember so much. I realise I don’t want to force my baby to be something he isn’t.
A mother we worked with
Questions
Things parents often ask
Does it cost anything?
No. Our therapeutic services are free for eligible families on low incomes.
Do I need a referral from a professional?
No. You can contact us yourself, or a professional who knows you can refer you.
Where do sessions happen?
Wherever works best for you: in your home, online, or somewhere local such as a children’s centre or hospital.
How old does my baby need to be?
We work with parents during pregnancy and until a baby is 24 months old.
Who will I see?
You will always be seen by a qualified professional, but not always a fully qualified infant-parent psychotherapist. Usually you will see a trainee on our Postgraduate Diploma, who is building their clinical hours under close supervision from our senior clinicians. You can read about our team on our team page.
Need help urgently?
We are not an emergency service. If you or your baby are in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.