Speakers
Chiara Virgillito
I’m Chiara, the heart behind HeyBirthingMama and a mama to two girls. As a midwife, IBCLC, and caesarean scar specialist, I’ve seen how profoundly pregnancy, birth, and postpartum shape us. HeyBirthingMama grew from my passion for supporting women through matrescence—the often tender, transformative journey into motherhood. I believe this transition deserves to be honoured with compassion, connection, and evidence-based care. Whether you’re seeking information during pregnancy, looking to reflect on birth, needing support with breastfeeding or healing after a caesarean, I’m here to walk alongside you. My hope is that every woman I meet feels seen, supported, and empowered in her unique story.
Megan Cooley
After becoming a Mum almost 4 years ago, Megan’s experience of 10 years working in the field of mental health evolved into the field of perinatal mental health. 1 in 5 women in Ireland suffer with their mental health during the perinatal period. Megan is passionate in speaking up about this area to help reduce isolation and stigma. Megan has a sincere passion to support, empower and guide women on their motherhood journey. Having experienced her own perinatal mental health challenges, Megan embarked on the journey of motherhood, searching for new tools and resources to help her. It was during this time, Megan experienced the life changing power of both reiki and breathwork. She has since become a skilled practitioner in both practices. She aspires to share the power of these powerful tools and encourage the use of them in helping Mum’s to quieten the ‘mental load’ and to feel more grounded in each changing day as a Mum.
Megan is a single Mum to her gorgeous son and empowers Mum’s co parenting or solo parenting to feel included in this discussion.
Michelle Flynn
Michelle Flynn is a fully qualified, IACP accredited Psychotherapist and founder of An Croí Beag Psychotherapy. Michelle holds a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy as well as a Higher Diploma in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and a level 9 Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health. Michelle has additional training in Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Somatic Experiencing, and Parent-Infant mental health.
She enjoys working with a wide range of issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties and trauma. As a mum of three herself she has a particular interest working with perinatal mental health, postnatal depression, traumatic births, perinatal loss and anxiety. Michelle has extensive experience working with parents on all aspects of parenthood and relationships.
