Dr Karola Belton

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BSc., Grad Dip Health Psychology, M.Psych (Counselling), D.Psych (Clinical), MAPS

Background
Karola completed her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Monash University in 1997, and Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from La Trobe University in 2002. Her early work as a psychologist was in the field of workplace health and well-being, and employee assistance counselling, where she helped people balance the demands of work, life and family.

Current Practice
Karola established her private practice in Albert Park and Hampton in 2006 as a general psychology practice, treating individuals, couples and families for a range of presenting issues, including relationship therapy, grief, depression and mood disorders, and anxiety disorders.  Today, her clinical work is also focused on perinatal psychology, supporting and treating individuals and couples experiencing psychological and emotional difficulties relating to infertility, IVF  treatment, pregnancy, birth, postnatal adjustment, and pregnancy loss.

Karola’s long-standing interest in supporting the psychological health and wellbeing of individuals and families in pre-conception, pregnancy and early parenting, began during her Masters and Doctoral research at Monash IVF Clinic.    Her research focused on the experience of pregnancy and early parenting for mothers and fathers following IVF treatment, and this arose from her clinical observations of couples she saw in her counselling work at the clinic.

Karola has significant experience helping women, men and couples across every stage of creating and becoming a family.  Including:
  • Supporting women, men and couple undergoing IVF and other assisted fertility treatment, including donor assisted conception and surrogacy
  • Helping people through the grief of miscarriage and perinatal loss
  • Providing support and treatment for antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety
  • Working with individuals and couples dealing with the emotional and relationship impact of infertility
  • Supporting people who are faced with making difficult decisions about their pregnancy
  • Assisting new parents who are struggling with their transition to parenthood
Karola is the resident Psychologist with Mama You've Got This and presents as part of their Infant Essentials Class.

Mama You've Got This is a new initiative offering pregnancy, baby and toddler classes for families. They connect Mamas with Experts and each other.
Karola is a member of the The Antenatal & Postnatal Psychology Network, a professional collaboration of Psychologists who specialise in conception, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and the early parenting years.
Professional Affiliations
- Registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
- Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists
- Member of the APS Perinatal and Infant Psychology Interest Group  (PIPIG)