Perinatal mental health
Practical, compassionate support for mothers during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Perinatal supportMeet Laura Hackett
- Qualifications
- BA, MA, MSc in Occupational Therapy, PMH-C
- Specialising in
- Adult mental health and perinatal mental health
- Experience
- Almost a decade in mental health, public and private
Laura Hackett is the founder and owner of Chéile Wellbeing and a CORU-registered Senior Occupational Therapist and Perinatal Mental Health Specialist, based in County Galway.
Almost a decade in mental health
With almost a decade of experience in mental health, Laura has developed extensive expertise across Ireland’s public health service and more recently in private practice, specialising in adult mental health and perinatal mental health.
Throughout her career, Laura has worked across a range of Community Adult Mental Health Teams, supporting adults with a wide variety of mental health needs and developing advanced therapeutic skills in assessment, intervention and recovery-focused care.
Alongside her work in adult mental health, Laura has developed a particular interest in perinatal mental health, providing specialist support to women during pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Qualifications and training
- MSc in Occupational TherapyMaster’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, University of Limerick
- Certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C)Advanced Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health with PMHI
- Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)Certified professional training
- Workplace Mental Health and WellbeingCertified professional training with HMI
- Mindfulness-Based ApproachesCertified professional training
- Certified Life CoachCoaching principles integrated into her therapeutic practice
- CORU-registered Senior Occupational TherapistRegistration number 024652
- Member of AOTIAssociation of Occupational Therapists Ireland
More about Laura
Laura is also a mother to three young children, giving her personal insight into the realities of pregnancy, early motherhood and the many demands that come with this stage of life. While her professional expertise underpins her practice, her own experience of motherhood has given her an appreciation of how complex, rewarding and challenging this transition can be.
She understands that behind the expectations of motherhood, there can also be significant overwhelm, exhaustion, uncertainty, identity changes and a huge challenge to find space for your own self care. This perspective informs her understanding and non-judgemental approach when supporting women through the perinatal period.
What drives my work
Adult mental health
“I am driven by a desire to help individuals navigate the complexities of mental health challenges, whether they are related to anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions. The adult years often bring unique pressures and struggles, and I am passionate about creating spaces where individuals can feel seen, heard, and empowered to take control of their mental health.
I firmly believe that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical health, and I am dedicated to promoting awareness, providing support, and fostering resilience in adults who are facing difficult emotional landscapes. It is incredibly fulfilling to witness individuals regain their strength, find balance, and improve their overall quality of life through connection and the right therapeutic support.”
Perinatal mental health
“I am also deeply passionate about perinatal mental health because as a mother of three young children, I believe it is essential to support both the mother and baby during such a transformative and vulnerable period. The emotional and psychological challenges that many face during pregnancy and the postpartum period can often be overlooked or misunderstood, yet they play a crucial role in the wellbeing of the entire family.
The perinatal period can be a lonely and isolating time for mothers who might lack adequate social supports. My commitment to this field stems from a desire to bridge this gap in support, break down stigma, raise awareness, and provide compassionate care to ensure that every parent feels seen, heard, and supported as they navigate this profound life change.”
What is OT, and how can it help?
In Occupational Therapy (OT), “occupation” refers to the everyday activities and roles that bring meaning, purpose and structure to our lives. These can include looking after yourself, sleeping, managing your home, working, studying, parenting, spending time with others, pursuing hobbies or simply having time to rest and recharge.
Our ability to engage in these meaningful activities can have a significant impact on our mental health and wellbeing, while changes in our mental health can make it harder to participate in the things that matter to us.
Occupational Therapy is an evidence-based healthcare profession that supports you to participate in the everyday activities and roles that are meaningful and important to you. Mental Health OT looks specifically at the relationship between your mental health, daily functioning, environment and meaningful activities, helping you understand what may be getting in the way and identify practical strategies to support your wellbeing, independence and participation in everyday life.
How OT can help you
In the area of adult mental health, OT offers gentle, practical support across many areas of daily life and functioning, helping you to feel more balanced, capable and supported. Whether you are experiencing low mood, anxiety, overwhelm, or adjusting to life changes such as pregnancy or early motherhood, Mental Health OT can help you rebuild routines, regain confidence, and reconnect with the activities and roles that matter most to you.
You don’t need a diagnosis to access support. Using evidence-based approaches, practical strategies and meaningful goal setting, Mental Health OT can support areas such as routines, sleep, motivation, coping skills, emotional regulation, executive functioning, work, study, relationships, self-care and lifestyle balance. The focus is on translating understanding into practical, sustainable changes that support your mental health, wellbeing and participation in everyday life.
Our ethos: le chéile
Chéile comes from the Irish phrase “le chéile”, meaning together. Supporting your wellbeing is a collaborative process.
Togetherness, connection and support are values at the heart of the therapy I provide, where wellbeing is nurtured through understanding, compassion and shared support. I work together with you to understand your individual needs, identify what may be affecting your everyday life, and develop practical strategies that support your mental wellbeing and participation in the things that matter to you.
“I firmly believe in the power of connection and women supporting each other. My mission is that Chéile Wellbeing will bring people together to support wellbeing together.”
Take the first step, together
If you have a question or would like to self-refer, send a short email and Laura will get back to you.