Dr Alice Norton
‘Mental Health Begins at Birth: Addressing Birth Trauma and Attachment to Improve Child Mental Health Trajectories’
School of Psychology, Faculty of Science
The University of Sydney, NSW
Awarded 2026
0-12 years Mental Health Research
“I have seen the profound impact of experiencing a traumatic birth on women and families in my clinical work. Despite its high prevalence, there is little evidence-based care, leaving many women unsupported during a critical time for infant development.”
Researcher Profile
Dr Alice Norton is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist at The University of Sydney. She has extensive experience in research and clinical practice, with a focus on understanding and treating anxiety and trauma-related difficulties. Alice’s work explores how early relationships and experiences shape mental health and how therapy can address these patterns. She is passionate about developing practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthen emotional wellbeing from the earliest stages of life.
Alice is committed to advancing approaches that make mental health care more effective and accessible, thereby supporting healthier families and communities.
Project Summary
Mental health problems in children are becoming more common and often start very early in life. One of the strongest protective factors for a child’s wellbeing is a secure, responsive relationship with their parent. However, when women experience a traumatic birth, they may develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as emotional numbness or avoidance. These symptoms can make it harder to bond with their baby and respond to their needs, increasing the risk of mental health difficulties later in childhood.
This project will test a new approach to the treatment of childbirth-related PTSD in order to strengthen early relationships and improve child mental health trajectories. We will look at how this treatment affects mother-infant bonding, maternal wellbeing, and early child development. By reducing trauma symptoms and improving mother-infant connection, this research aims to disrupt intergenerational trauma cycles. With up to 45% of Australian women reporting traumatic births and limited access to support, this study addresses a critical gap. Our goal is to provide evidence for an effective intervention that promotes healthy relationships and emotional wellbeing from the very beginning of life.
Co-Investigators: Professor Louise Sharpe, Professor David Hawes, Professor Maree Abbott, Dr Hazel Keedle, Dr Elizabeth Seeley-Wait and Dr Alysha-Leigh Armeli.