Hannah Hammoud
Leading perinatal psychology practice Mums Matter Psychology has been named as one of the winners of the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards, taking out the award for Championing Health.
Clinical psychologist and director Frances Bilbao created the practice in 2015 with the aim of helping all women experience meaning and fulfilment in motherhood, as well as a positive relationship with their child.
The Championing Health award acknowledges businesses focused on innovative solutions, improving health outcomes for every Australian. Ms Bilbao said the practice seeks to provide specialised psychological therapy to help support women’s mental health during the transition to parenthood, with an emphasis on making services both accessible and affordable.
Dedicated to providing affordable quality mental health care for pregnant and new mums in Melbourne’s western suburbs, the practice partners with Brimbank council, Hobsons Bay council, and Maribyrnong council to deliver face-to-face services from Maternal & Child Health centres. Mums Matter Psychology also offers bulk billing under Medicare as well Telehealth services that can be accessed from anywhere in Australia.
“I noticed a gap in the treatment services out there for people who may not be as acutely unwell where they would need high level public service, but also for those not able to afford a private practice setting either,” Ms Bilbao said.
“A pivoting point for the practice came with COVID-19 and the introduction of Telehealth that allowed for another level of accessibility. For many women in this perinatal period it is difficult to get to healthcare appointments especially with a new baby.”
Ms Bilbao said it is an “honour” to have the dedicated efforts of her team be recognised with this award.
“Initially it started as just myself working half a day a week. Now we have grown to a team of 65 clinicians operating across Australia via Telehealth and servicing more than 2000 clients a year,” she said.
“We hope to continue offering services to more and more women.”
