In this extraordinary and much needed study of a sadly neglected area of therapy, Shirley Ward sets out clearly her discoveries around birth trauma, a work richly embedded with case studies from her long career as a pioneering pre- and perinatal psychotherapist. Your conception, gestation and birth may have been wonderful one, an experience of bliss and joy, or it could have been a deeply troublesome one. Remembering can help the re-creation of Self, healing what went wrong - and the awareness of what went right. Over the last 40-50-years there have been many studies of conception memories. It is now known that the retrieval of pre- and perinatal memories (from before and after birth) can help us understand how and why we behave as we do in the world. This spiritual parenting of our primal times can begin to heal what might have gone amiss in the conception, gestation and birth from our physical parents.Many answers are found in the earliest period of our human development, the study of which is still in its infancy. This book is such a study, a journey through pre- and perinatal psychotherapy to heal birth, and in that way, heal the Earth. This book is an intriguing insight into our early beginnings and their influences on our character and personality in our life, and our relationship with family, work and the wider implications worldwide. Shirley Ward, in her long career as a pioneering pre and perinatal psychotherapist, sets out clearly the basic principles of pre- and perinatal psychotherapy illustrated richly with case studies. This is an extraordinary and much needed study of foetal consciousness and our sacred journey from conception to birth, to give hope in a rapidly changing world. At its foundation is the pioneering work of Dr. Frank Lake, the British psychiatrist who believed that our life was influenced from conception and our birth. Tracing the history of birth memories it is well known that the retrieval of pre and perinatal memories from conception, the time in the womb and birth can help us understand how and why we behave as we do in the world. Many answers are found in this earliest period of human development. By understanding the state of our parents at our conception, how we were treated in the womb and the type of birth we experience will all contribute to our personality, character and health. This book is written not only for professional and psychotherapists to understand seemingly irrational behaviour in their clients, whether children, teenagers or adults. There is something for everyone to understand, giving clarity and a reason to questions that have had no answer and problems that may have their origins in this early non-verbal period of their lives. Evidence is showing that memories are stored in our bodies which give that necessary insight that negative thoughts from these early periods may be understood by consciously knowing the physical, historical and emotional beginnings and their influences upon us. The creative, dynamic theories of rhythms and patterns, fractals, as emphasised by Dr Jean Houston are synthesised into the work and also the understanding of the chakras and energy healing of Rosalyn Bruyere. It is shown that understanding evolves as more and more ideas influence our deeper meaning of life and living in the future. More research into the mind and brain sciences will also contribute to this invaluable work.