Talks from a therapist specialising in mothers…
Shame thrives in silence, when we share in safe spaces it can’t survive.
All my talks are designed around the Raising Mum™ Framework - to normalise, regulate and empower. Normalisation of experiences and feelings is crucial in helping mums, but alone it is not enough. Without being able to regulate yourself, and feeling empowered and supported to move forward, we risk remaining stuck.
That’s why my talks are structured to hold space for that normalisation, but also include practical tools and strategies participants can incorporate into their day-to-day life, without adding to the mental load!
Covering acutely relevant topics that today’s mothers face in their first 5 years of motherhood - from conception to their child starting school, each signature talk includes creative teachings and collaborative discussion.
Preparing for your postpartum…
Like an antenatal class for your mind! Preparing ahead for the first days, weeks and months as a new mother.
Honest discussion about pregnancy, birth and what to expect of yourself when you’re ‘in the newborn trenches’. How knowing your patterns of behaving (perfectionist, people pleaser, self-reliant, need for control) are essential if you don’t want to make things harder for yourself!
Learn what is ‘good enough’ and identify what support you will need, putting this in place before baby arrives!
Learn about changes in your brain during pregnancy and postpartum, how hormones and sleep deprivation affect mental wellbeing and your nervous system, and how to spot signs of mental health concerns and help available.
‘SuperMum’ is not helping anyone…
Learn how research shows children need parents to be ‘good enough’ not perfect - they actually need you to make mistakes, and how to repair these!
Explore toxic messages from childhood and society about self-worth and performance, and how millennial mums were told ‘you can have it all’.
Explore perfectionism, people pleasing, mum guilt vs. shame, your inner critic, need for control, suppressing emotions and needs - and how to choose to model a more authentic way to live for your children.
Learn how perfectionism and unrealistic expectations impact our mental health, prevent us from reaching out for support and steal our ability to be fully present.
From stressed to regulated mum…
Learn how your nervous system becomes activated or deactivated in service of survival, and how we can get stuck in ‘survival mode’, or dysregulated, through chronic stress, along with common symptoms of stress.
Honest discussion about common causes of stress and overwhelm in motherhood (unrealistic expectations, lack of support, financial pressures, perfectionism, people pleasing, need for control, overstimulation, anxiety, worry, the sandwich generation, responsibilities and the mental load!)
Explore emotions, such as anger, as energy and messengers - how to process these and improve emotional regulation, as well as cope with your children’s whilst breaking generational cycles and meeting your needs too!
Learn tools for nervous system regulation and strategies for stress management including ‘rest vs. recovery’ and not needing to ‘earn’ this, setting boundaries and leaning on or creating your ‘village’.
Identity in motherhood…
Motherhood changes you so much, it renames you. You may have a new name and role, but it’s not your entire identity (even if you want/wanted it to be!).
Learn about Matrescence - the ever evolving process of becoming a mother that involves changes in your brain, body, social identity, relationships, perspectives and career, only matched by adolescence and menopause.
Honest discussion about identity shifts during this time, which can involve an identity crisis or loss of self, feeling your pre-motherhood self has disappeared or that you don’t recognise yourself and how this can come with feelings of grief that are often discounted or silenced by societal expectations of ‘you chose this’ or ‘enjoy every moment’.
Explore ways to navigate this time and integrate your holistic (pre and post baby) self, ensuring your needs are met too!
All talks include…
Informed by the Raising Mum™ Framework…
My talks are…
Relevant - things mums struggle with, the messages they’ve received + how society or they treat themselves.
Collaborative - audience sharing encouraged!
Memorable - my creative mini teaching segments (live demonstrations or videos) will not only ensure participants learn things that help them understand themselves better, but they’ll remember them!
Transferable - talk without action is not enough. I equip participants with tools and strategies for moving forward in a different way, should they choose to.
My fees…
I currently am available to offer in-person talks for mums within Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire + Greater London (please get in touch for travel expenses quote).
I do not permit recordings due to participants confidentiality and copyright of talks. In the unlikely event I wish to record the talk I will seek permission from organiser/participants prior to doing so.
Disclaimer:
Raising Mum™ is a trading name of me, Michaela Stansfield. The information provided is solely intended for educational self-help purposes and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. The information provided is based on my formal training, continuing professional development, personal and client experience, with the aim to scaffold you in exploring your own mental wellbeing. I am a qualified and registered counsellor, which in the UK means I am not trained to provide medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your GP before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.