Hi,

Behind “The Mentally Healthy Mummy” is me, Aman Soomal. I am a qualified Psychotherapist, specialising in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with an interest in perinatal mental health. I trained at the University of Oxford and since qualifying, have worked in a therapy service in London. I absolutely love my job, and love the work I do day in and day out so coming out of the working world for maternity leave for the first time since I was 16, was a shock to the system!

I started working in a Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service as a Senior Psychotherapist in March 2020 (yes, at the start of the pandemic) offering CBT to women accessing the service. Since starting the role, I also have started training towards qualifications in Video Interaction Guidance (VIG), an evidence based therapeutic tool to support parents and babies improve their bonding and attachment, as well as Couples Therapy for Depression at Tavistock & Portman. I am also a Clinical Supervisor, supporting other CBT Therapists with their cases, as two heads are often better than one!

Random facts about me: I have Coeliac Disease and follow a strict gluten free diet (diagnosed in 2011 and I still have fantasies about stuffing my face with cupcakes); I love visiting new places and have been all over the world, for example, Tahiti, Thailand, Morocco to name a few; and for a while I started making nappy cakes and hampers for my friends and family who were pregnant/ had babies.

I have always had an interest in babies and mummies- one of my earliest memories is reading my Mum’s “Emma’s Diary” when she was pregnant with my sibling. I think I was 8 years old. Being a mummy myself has been an amazing and intense experience. Welcome to my take on motherhood and how I have coped with the amazing highs and the (perceived) soul destroying lows, and my continuing journey to remain Mentally Healthy 🙂

I hope you enjoy the ride with me!

Lots of love,

Aman xx