Hold The Mother

In this podcast episode, I explain why you may find it hard to rest if you have experienced trauma, particularly if the trauma occurred in your early life. I explore with you three reasons why you may struggle to rest and suggest a strategy I use myself when my own inner critic voices get in the way of my own rest.I hope you enjoy the episode! Links Worth Clicking:7 Types of Rest and How to Incorporate Them into Your LifeWhat is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Do you recognise any of the barriers to rest described above? If you need help overcoming them and you’re interested in working with me, you can book a free consultation here. I also share lots of tips and advice via Instagram.

In this podcast episode, I talk more about postpartum anxiety and how it affects your thoughts, emotions, body and behaviour. Around 15% of new mums experience a significant anxiety problem during pregnancy and up to the first year postnatally. So if you can relate, you're not alone.I delve into how anxiety is something we need to keep us safe, but how perceived threat can trigger your anxiety even in situations where there is no real threat.The episode very briefly references intrusive thoughts - listen to my previous episode for a more in depth overview Intrusive Thoughts In Parenthood Podcast EpisodeIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you’d like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

In this podcast episode, Joyella shares her journey through new motherhood, deeply influenced by her own experiences of being parented and her childhood trauma. She recounts the challenges of being raised by a young, single mother with limited support and how this has shaped her approach to parenting her two-year-old son differently. We talked about the complexities of managing and understanding our own triggers, the process of self-awareness and healing, and how Joyella navigates maintaining a relationship with her mother now. I'm really passionate about understanding intergenerational trauma so this episode is a beautiful example of how we can experience trauma and work through it for ourselves and our children.Episode highlights:02:01 Joyella's Childhood and Its Impact04:24 Differences in Parenting Between Siblings12:17 Navigating Motherhood with a Traumatic Past17:59 Strategies for Managing Parental Triggers20:40 The Importance of Rupture and Repair in Parenting25:10 Reflecting on Intergenerational TraumaIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

Today I chat with Siti about the complexities of childhood trauma. She shares personal experiences and reflections on how various forms of childhood trauma, including emotional neglect, criticism, and lack of acceptance, have impacted her life into adulthood. We delve into the nuanced ways trauma manifests in behaviours, relationships, and self-perception, discussing the fear of rejection, the struggle with self-image, and the challenge of expressing emotions properly.This is a great episode to listen to if you're wondering how your childhood may have affected you.Episode highlights:11:43 Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adult Relationships11:58 Dealing with Emotional Expression and Anger18:12 Navigating Work and Personal Life Influenced by Childhood Trauma22:36 The Role of Therapy in Addressing Childhood Trauma31:54 Reflecting on the Impact of Cultural and Societal NormsIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

Today's episode is all about the concept of 'mum rage,' which is characterised by intense, often inexplicable anger experienced by mothers. I unpack the two typical primary reasons behind mum rage: unmet needs and triggers of past experiences.Unmet needs can stem from the demands of childcare, work, and household management, leading to feelings of depletion and isolation. Conversely, certain situations in motherhood might reactivate unresolved feelings from the your past, intensifying your emotional response. I hope this sheds light on the importance of recognising the roots of mum rage, addressing unmet needs through support and delegation, and exploring therapeutic options for processing past traumas.Episode highlights:05:17 The Impact of Social Support and Modern Motherhood08:28 Workplace Challenges for Mothers10:51 The Emotional Toll of Motherhood and Strategies for Coping18:52 Identifying and Managing Triggers of Mum RageUseful Links:The Self-Soothing Series - Safety Bubble ExerciseThe Self-Soothing Series - Using Your ImaginationThe Self-Soothing Series - VisualisationFree Trigger Log WorksheetIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

Today I want to talk about the complexities of navigating Mother's Day for people who have experienced childhood trauma, specifically abuse or neglect from their mothers.My hope for you is that this episode will give you the confidence to engage with Mother's Day the way you need to, challenging societal expectations and the pressure to conform to normative expressions of appreciation, like sending cards or gifts.Episode highlights:05:18 Understanding the Dynamics of Trauma and Motherhood14:14 Navigating Your Feelings and Decisions on Mother's Day17:21 Reflecting on the Complexity of Motherhood and RespectIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

When I had my children I had no idea what 'The Fourth Trimester' was but learning about it has been so important for me and my clients. And I hope it will be as affirming for you too. The fourth trimester, which is first three months post-pregnancy, is such a significant time for mother and child to bond and adjust to their new roles.What I know to be true is the need for emotional and practical support in the fourth trimester and in this episode I share my gentle approach to dealing with postnatal recovery in the hopes it will help you in your journey. Let me know what you think :)Episode highlights: 00:30 Understanding the Importance of the Fourth Trimester03:29 The Impact of the Fourth Trimester on the Family05:13 How to Support Someone in the Fourth Trimester09:26 Practical Ways to Support New Parents12:17 The Importance of Rest in the Fourth TrimesterIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Hold the Mother podcast. I'm Laura Hans, your host and perinatal psychotherapist, and today we're diving into the world of maternal mental health.In this episode, I'm really excited to chat with you about something super important – how we can tackle those toxic thoughts that often creep into our minds. You know, the ones that mess with our emotions and actions? Yeah, those. We're going to unpack it all!We'll be talking about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – breaking down the myths, exploring how it works, and getting into the detail of challenging negative thinking patterns. Spoiler alert: thoughts are not facts! They're more like biased opinions, and I've got some useful CBT techniques, like catch, challenge, and change, to help you question those thoughts and see things from a more balanced perspective. And if you're looking for some extra guidance, I've got a book recommendation for you – 'CBT for Dummies' by Rena Branch.Episode highlights: 02:07 Myths about positive thinking03:46 How thoughts pull the strings of our emotions and behaviours06:51 The Three C's: Catch, Challenge, Change10:21 Unpacking unhelpful thinking styles17:45 Tips for changing thoughts in a practical waySo grab your headphones, get comfy, and let's chat about nurturing that mental health of yours. Can't wait for you to join me on this journey.If you enjoyed this episode, please share with anyone you think would also enjoy it, and subscribe so you are notified as soon as I release a new episode. And if you'd like to learn more about me and how I can support you, click here! You can also follow me on Instagram.