top of page
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi, I'm Kirstie

I’m a perinatal counsellor, psychological trauma specialist, birth worker and long standing advocate for choice and rights based maternity care. For over 12 years I have supported families through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, combining therapeutic knowledge with practical birth experience via a warm, down to earth and honest approach.

​

My work sits at the meeting point between birth support and emotional wellbeing. I believe that how we are supported during pregnancy and birth can shape our mental health, confidence and identity for years to come.

Kirsty Broughton 17.jpg

I founded The Essex Birth Company to provide evidence based education and empathic support for families navigating pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. Over the years I have worked with hundreds of parents as a doula, antenatal educator and birth professional, helping them feel informed, respected and confident in their choices.

​

Alongside this work, I increasingly saw how deeply birth experiences can affect emotional wellbeing. Many parents I supported needed space not only to prepare for birth, but also to process previous experiences, trauma, anxiety or loss.

​

This led me to train extensively in counselling and trauma therapy, ensuring that mental health support has an equally important place within the journey to parenthood. Alongside perinatal work, I also support clients with historic domestic abuse, previous sexual violence, menopause, late diagnosed neurodivergence and wider women’s health concerns, recognising how these experiences can shape and intersect with the journey of parenthood.

Today my work brings together these two strands.

​

My background as a doula and as a parent, gives me a deep understanding of the realities of pregnancy, birth and maternity care, while my therapeutic training allows me to support people navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, difficult experiences, identity shifts and the many emotional layers of becoming a parent.

​

Rather than separating mind and body, I work holistically, drawing from counselling, trauma informed practice, psychoeducation and mind body approaches to support each person in a way that feels safe, respectful and empowering.

Breathe Birth Yoga - Postnatal Doula

In addition to supporting clients directly, I have spent many years advocating for improved maternity care and perinatal mental health support. I have served in a number of voluntary roles including within the leadership team at Doula UK, Health Watch Essex and the Mid & South Essex Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership, where I chaired the team and worked closely with maternity services to improve care for families.

​

Whether you are preparing for birth, navigating pregnancy after loss, processing a difficult experience, or simply needing space to be heard and supported, my role is to walk alongside you with empathic understanding, knowledge and respect.

Experience & Qualifications

Mental health and trauma:

  • Diploma in Psychological Trauma Therapy (CPCAB TMQ level 5, 2027)

  • Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB level 4)

  • Certificate in Counselling Studies (CPCAB level 3)

  • Certificate in Understanding Domestic Abuse (CACHE level 2)

  • BTEC Certificates in Life Coaching (EDEXCEL levels 2 and 3)

  • Understanding Autism (Open University)

  • J9 Domestic Abuse Awareness Training (Alpha Vesta CIC)

  • Suicide Awareness Certificate (Zero Suicide Alliance)

  • Safeguarding Certificate (level 3)

  • Bereavement Care Training (Sands Charity)

  • LGBTQ+ Training (The Queer Box)

  • Baby Loss Training (Beyond Bea)

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and Early Trauma

  • Understanding the Infant Microbiome Certificate

  • Anxiety: Helping Young Children to Cope

  • Addressing Postnatal Depression as a Healthcare Professional Certificate

  • Domestic Violence & Abuse (DVA): Identifying & Responding to DVA in Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

  • Safeguarding Children Certificate (level 3)

 

Doula and birth support training:

  • Birth and Postnatal Doula Preparation Certificate (Birth Bliss Academy)

  • KG Hypnobirthing Facilitator (KGH)

  • TBR 3 Step Trauma Rewind Practitioner (TBR College)

  • Moxibustion for Breech Presentation (Expectancy)

  • Biomechanics for Birth (Optimal Birth)

  • Antenatal Preparation Workshop Facilitator Certificate (Birth Bliss Academy)

  • Waterbirth During Covid-19 – Keeping Midwives, Mothers & Babies Safe, Certificate (Midwife Expert)

  • Aromatherapy for Childbirth (RCM Accredited)

​

Childhood and parenting:

  • BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies (Chelmsford College)

  • Infant Feeding Peer Support Facilitator with Barnardo’s Virgin Care (Essex Family Centre)

  • Holistic Sleep Coaching Course (Lyndsey Hookway)

​

Yoga and mindfulness:

  • Yoga for trauma, depression and anxiety (Anjali Yoga)

  • Pregnancy, Postnatal, and Mother and Baby Yoga Teacher Training (S Parkes Yoga 85hr)

  • Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga Teacher Training Essex 200 hours)

  • Advanced Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training (Sally Parkes Yoga 25 hours)

  • Yoga & Mindfulness for Pregnancy & Birth (Nadia Raafat Yoga 100 hours)

  • Hot Yoga Teacher Training (121 Urban Hot Yoga)

  • Anatomy and Physiology for Yoga (Essential Training Solutions)

Inclusivity Pledge

As well as women, birthing people and people assigned female at birth, we also welcome male and non-birthing parents, as well as maternity professionals who may be affected by vicarious trauma or maternity related experiences.

​

We are steadfast in our commitment to providing a service that is neuro-affirming, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, actively anti-racist and disability aware. Our aim is to create a safe, respectful and accessible space for all.

​

We are also developing a project aimed at improving access to our services for people who may otherwise face financial barriers to support.

bottom of page