Pregnancy and the time following the birth of a baby are vulnerable times for all women and their families. It may also be a time of increased stress due to the changes that accompany such a major life event. This time requires adjustments and adaptations to the many changes that follow the birth of a child.
 
Becoming a parent may also trigger strong emotional feelings from your own early experience of being parented. These experiences may influence the way your think and feel about your infant and respond to your child. 

If you are experiencing some of the following distressing feelings we encourage you to discuss your experience with a health professional.

• Feelings of sadness
• Tearfulness
• Social withdrawal
• Lack of enjoyment in parenting
• Not feeling bonded with your baby
• Not enjoying your baby
• Feeling disconnected from your baby as if it is not your own
• Difficulty limit-setting
• Irritability and a decreased frustration tolerance
• Increased marital conflict or disconnection
• Poor communication in your marital relationship
• Feelings of guilt, particularly about your capacity to parent
• Feeling overwhelmed (“This is too much”)
• Wishing to return to a previous life before baby
• Not wanting to be pregnant
• Thoughts of harming self or baby

Our massage therapist, Fiona McKee, holds a Diploma in Remedial Massage from the NSW School of Therapeutic Massage. She is a Member of the Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) and has over 35 years experience. Fiona employs the following massage techniques in her practice:

Relaxation Massage                       

Uses smooth, gliding strokes to help you relax. It can stimulate circulation and improve quality of sleep. Fiona's expertise in using aromatherapy oils enhances the benefits of relaxation massage.

Remedial Massage

Deeper, more therapeutic technique often used in treatment of specific injury or complaint, increases range of movement. Decreases pain and improves tone and function of muscles. Promotes circulation allowing faster healing of muscles and other soft tissues.

We believe that the capacity for each person to live fully and effectively, depends on his or her underlying 'sense of self'. Being connected to a positive sense of self enables one to live in the present, to feel and manage one's emotions, sustained by positive and realistic beliefs about one's self and others. When a person experiences his or her self as worthwhile and loveable, it is possible to engage with other people in flexible and adaptive ways. Relationships become meaningful and enjoyable when one is able to connect with others on this basis.

Many people find it difficult to engage with others or themselves in this way because of earlier experiences of trauma, abuse or neglect, which impact on the developing self. Those who have been wounded in this way are trapped in the past and by painful emotions such as anxiety, fear, anger, hopelessness or shame. Such people hold negative and irrational beliefs about self and others and often engage in maladaptive behaviours such as overeating or substance abuse, perfectionism, feeling intimidated or withdrawing from others, or allowing themselves to engage in destructive relationships. It is these difficulties they seek to address through counselling. pdf Click to download our brochure (937 KB)

• Counselling FAQ's                                                                                                              
• Fees, Rebates & Referrals
• Confidentiality and Privacy
• Feedback and Complaints

We offer the internationally acclaimed Circle of Security (COS) Parenting Program for parents of children (aged 0-5 years).
COS parenting, is a group program, and is available in either an 8, 12, 16 or 20-week format.

The course is designed to assist caregivers who are experiencing behavioural or emotional struggles with thier children.

Please contact us for group availability.

A Sixteen Week Reflective Parenting Program for Parents of Children (aged 1-5)

What is the program about?

The program aims to support and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

What are the benefits for you?

• Facilitated by an accredited facilitator
• Provide you with the opportunity to reflect on your own experience of being parented and how this may influence your ways of parenting
• Come to understand your child's emotional world by learning to read your child's emotional needs.
• Support your child's ability to successfully manage emotions.
• Enhance the development of your child's self-esteem.
• Share and connect with other parents and benefit from growing together in emotionally focussed parenting.

When

Beginning mid-March, 2024 for sixteen weeks
from 11.00am-1.00pm

Cost

Bulk billing available for eligible clients
Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided.

This is a closed group which builds on learning expereinces from week to week, so commitment to attend is expected.

You will need a health care plan from your GP to participate in this group therapy program.
Limited childcare provided

  pdf Click here to download the Circle of Security A4 Flyer (1.03 MB)

Need further information ... watch the video clips below.

Click here or the picture below to watch 'Why COSP: A Path to Good Enough' - a video about COS Parenting.

Meet Fletcher and Finn our two very engaging therapy dogs extraordinare. In 2022, Jenny completed the Canine-Assisted Interventlon Specialist Certificate (CAIS) program from the Denver University graduate school of Social Work. This training provided canine-specific education, knowledge and skill needed to facilitate Human-Animal Interactions. Jenny also completed the Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Training Certification course (2024). Our certified therapy dogs work with credentialed therapists to assist in structured therapy sessions.  

Research has shown that involving dogs in therapy is effective in fostering positive connections and building trust, which are essential elements in establishing a successful therapeutic relationship, In addition, therapy dogs are effective in reducing emotional distress and encouraging the sharing of challenging events, feelings or thoughts. This approach can offer clients a sense of safety, trust, emotional attachment, calmness, and an overall improvement in mental health.