Joanne Lawrence-Bourne is a registered midwife and provisional psychologist. Joanne understands there is a broad range of reproductive-related mental health needs. This includes the emotions, feelings, hopes and expectations that not only accompany pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting when things go well but also when there are complications and loss. Having children and trying to have children is not always easy. Trying to find support and direction can also be difficult, particularly when living in rural and regional areas.
Joanne also understands rural life. Her childhood was spent on a property in Central West NSW. She then worked in Canberra, Southern Highlands NSW, Torres Straits, Darwin and Sydney, in private and public health. She returned to Orange 16 years ago with her husband and daughter, worked as a Research Associate for the Rural and Remote Mental Health, and continues to run her private practice in reproductive psychology at Natal Instincts.
Over the years Joanne has undertaken a Master in Midwifery, Honours Degree and PhD in Psychology, and is currently undertaking a Master of Clinical Psychology. Her Midwifery thesis involved ‘normal anxiety’ for new parents, and her Psychology Honours research and PhD involved the topic of ‘male childlessness’. Results of her research have been presented to the Australian Psychological Society, in the UK, and Iceland.
Joanne has never lost interest in one of the most fundamental happenings in human society, that is, people having or trying have children and what that means to each and every one of us.