PSYCHOLOGY

MENTAL HEALTH AT WFP

At Western Family Practice, we believe access to psychological support is an important part of overall health and wellbeing, at every stage of life.

People seek support for many reasons. This may include navigating family and relationship challenges, stress, anxiety, low mood, grief, adjustment to life changes, or concerns related to parenting and family dynamics. For some, this may occur during pregnancy or early parenthood, while for others it may relate to different life stages or personal circumstances.

Our experienced mental health team supports individuals, couples, and families, whether concerns meet criteria for a mental health diagnosis or feel more like ongoing stress, overwhelm, or emotional strain. We recognise that not everyone who seeks support will have a diagnosed condition, and that early, supportive intervention can be just as valuable.

The perinatal period — from pregnancy through infancy and toddlerhood — can bring unique emotional and relational challenges. Our psychologists can support expectant parents and parents of young children in working through distressing emotions related to pregnancy or birth, difficulty adjusting to parenthood, challenges with bonding or attachment, or strain within family relationships.

We offer a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space to talk through what you are experiencing, develop practical coping strategies, and strengthen emotional wellbeing. Our team works collaboratively with you to provide care that is thoughtful, evidence-based, and tailored to your individual and family needs.

What services does Ainsley Read Provide?

What services does Melissa Baunton provide?

What services does Sarah McWhinney Provide?

OUR PSCHOLOGISTS

Clinical Psychologist

Ainsley Read
Psychologist

Melissa Baunton
Psychologist

Sarah McWhinney

Clinical Psychologist

Ainsley Read

Available for appointments from January 2026

Masters of Clinical Psychology (Curtin University)
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology (University of Western Australia)
Bachelor of Arts – Honours (University of Western Australia)

Ainsley Read is a Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience working in public mental health settings. Throughout her career, she has supported children and their families who are feeling overwhelmed, experiencing difficult emotions, or navigating stressful and traumatic circumstances. Through this work, she developed a strong interest in the unique ways families cope during challenging periods and has dedicated much of her therapeutic practice to helping families understand and support one another.

Before joining Western Obstetrics, Ainsley worked at Perth Children’s Hospital in an early intervention service, where she supported new parents through complex situations. During this time, she cultivated a particular interest in early parent–infant attachment and has completed specialised training in attachment-focused approaches, including the Circle of Security program. She is passionate about the long-term benefits that secure early attachment can bring to children and their families.

Ainsley understands that while expectant and new parents strive to provide the very best for their babies, the transition to parenthood can be deeply challenging. Factors such as exhaustion, stress, and mental health concerns can complicate what is often expected to be a joyful time. As a parent of two primary school-aged children, she recognises the intensity of the emotions that can arise during pregnancy and early parenthood. Ainsley is committed to offering a warm, safe, and non-judgmental space where parents feel supported in sharing their struggles. She believes that with the right guidance and care, families can create more room for joy, connection, and confidence during their journey into parenthood.

Psychologist

Melissa Baunton

Melissa Baunton completed her Bachelor of Psychology at Murdoch University in 2006. She is a registered psychologist with over 10 years’ experience working with individuals and couples and is committed to providing a safe and supportive space for all her clients; walking alongside them through whatever challenges they may be facing. She has practiced in both the private and public sector where the majority of her work has been focused on significant life events and the impact of these on mental and emotional wellbeing and the individuals’ capacity to cope.

Melissa was drawn to working in the perinatal space following her own challenges with conception and the impact that this had on her adjustment to parenting following the birth of her son. As such she is incredibly passionate about helping to normalise the variety of emotional responses and reactions that can be experienced during conception, pregnancy, birth and beyond and to help others navigate these experiences with self-compassion, insight and confidence in their abilities as a parent.

In addition to her work at Western Obstetrics, Melissa is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors’ Association (ANZICA) and the senior counsellor at Fertility Specialists of Western Australia providing psychological support to individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatment including those exploring alternative pathways to parenthood through donor conception.

For more information on Melissa, please click here.

Psychologist

Sarah McWhinney

Available for appointments from January 2026

Bachelor of Psychology (Curtin University)
Graduate Certificate in the Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (UWA)

Sarah is a Provisional Psychologist with experience across private practice and child development settings, supporting children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental presentations, including ADHD and Autism. She completed her Bachelor of Psychology at Curtin University and additional specialist training in the Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders through the University of Western Australia. Naturally curious, Sarah is committed to continual learning and values the integration of evidence-based research into her clinical practice.

Sarah has a particular interest in perinatal mental health and early attachment, a passion that grew after becoming a mother herself. She has a deep appreciation for the significant changes and challenges that accompany the transition to parenthood and is dedicated to supporting individuals and families throughout pregnancy, birth, and the early parenting years. Sarah’s gentle, collaborative style aims to create a warm, safe, and compassionate environment where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered as they navigate life’s transitions.

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