Dr Bronwyn Leigh
Dr Bronwyn Leigh is a Clinical Psychologist dedicated to perinatal and infant mental health. An experienced educator, Bronwyn has developed and facilitated unique training courses in the field, delivering complex ideas with clarity and practical application. Known for her ability to enable therapists to reflectively develop a curious wondering stance to formulation, she scaffolds sufficiently for professional development and growing competence in new and experienced therapists alike.
A recipient of numerous invited training contracts with government- and private-sector agencies, Bronwyn has served many organisations, including the Northern Territory Government, Government of South Australia, DHHS Victoria, Mater Hospital Brisbane and the NHS in the UK.
Committed to supporting professionals, Bronwyn was the founder and inaugural convener of the Australian Psychological Society’s ‘Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group’ (PIPIG) prior to founding the Centre for Perinatal Psychology, a national network of 70+ private-practicing perinatal psychologists.
Her psychotherapy practice spans the perinatal period from conception, through pregnancy, into the postpartum and early parenting. She is deeply interested in exploring ways to facilitate joyful parenting and a secure, loving bond between parents and infants as they get to know each other. Her work is primarily informed by psychodynamic and attachment frames, in which a trauma lens is embedded, permeated by a focus on strengthening parental mentalization. She adores babies and finds satisfaction in helping struggling parents see their baby through fresh eyes.
Bronwyn is a published author and researcher, conference presenter, campaigner, podcast guest and media commentator. An ex-ballet and performing arts teacher, Bronwyn loves nature, poetry, and the ukulele. She lives in Melbourne with her family and their little dog, Biscuit.
Professional Affiliations
- Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
- Member Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)
- Fellow APS College of Clinical Psychologists (FCCLP)
- Founding member and inaugural convenor, APS Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group (PIPIG)
- Member International Marcé Society
- Member Australasian Marcé Society
- Member World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH)
- Member Australian Association of Infant Mental Health (AAIMH)
- Member Circle of Security International Parenting Facilitator
- Member Marcé International Biennial Conference Local Subcommittee (2016)
- Member SMS4dads Project Reference Group
- Board of Advisors International Forum for Wellness in Pregnancy
- Steering Committee Member to the Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence’s Living with Loss program development
- Australasian representative for International Fathers’ Mental Health Day
- Subject Matter Expert and Clinical Advisor to Movember
- Member Golden Key International Honour Society
Publications
Book
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Leigh, B., Romeo, Y., Loughlin. E., McCarthy, R. & Saunders, B. (2009). Towards Parenthood: Preparing for the Changes and Challenges of a New Baby. ACER Press.
Towards Parenthood is also published in Italian through Erickson Press (2012) and in Dutch (2015).
Towards Parenthood is an evidence-based self-help guidebook supporting soon-to-be and new parents adjust to the demands of parenting while strengthening their relationships with their baby and partner.
Learn more about the book here.
Book Chapter
Leigh, B. & Brunton, R. (2021). Current psychological and psychosocial treatments for anxiety during pregnancy. In R. Dryer & R. Brunton (Eds.),
Pregnancy-Related Anxiety: Theory, Research, and Practice (pp. 123-140). Routledge.
Peer Reviewed Journal Publications
Gemmill, A.W. Leigh, B., Ericksen, J., & Milgrom, J. (2006). A survey of the clinical acceptability of screening for postnatal depression in depressed and non-depressed women. BMC Public Health, 6, 211.
Leigh, B. & Milgrom, J. (2007). Acceptability of antenatal screening for depression in routine antenatal care. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 24, 14-18.
Leigh, B. & Milgrom, J. (2008). Risk factors for antenatal depression, postnatal depression and parenting stress. BMC Psychiatry, 8: 24.
Milgrom, J., Holt, C. J., Gemmill, A., Ericksen, J., Leigh, B., Buist, A. & Schembri, C. (2011). Treating postnatal depressive symptoms in primary care: A randomised controlled trial of GP management, with and without adjunctive counselling. BMC Psychiatry, 11: 95.
Manuals and other Publications
Leigh, B. & Milgrom, J. (2006). Literature Review for the Pregnancy Lifescripts. Prepared for the Australian Division of General Practitioners.
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J. & Leigh, B. (2008). Postnatal depression and mother-infant interaction. Community Paediatric Review, 16, 1-4.
Milgrom, J., Ericksen, J., Leigh, B. & McCarthy, R. (2004). GP Manual for Treating PND. Published by PIRI for training purposes with General Practitioners.
Milgrom, J., Leigh, B. & Bretton, S. (2007). Lulu’s Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers (0-2). Published by PIRI and prepared for Lulu Child Development Childcare Centres.
Newnham, C., Brown, N. & Leigh, B. (2006). PremieHUGS: A Group Program for Premature Babies and their Parents. Published and evaluated by PIRI.
