Advertise on podcast: Grow Yourself Up

In episode 176 Cath was joined by Dr Helena Vissing. Helena shared her path to motherhood, healing from birth and her perinatal specialisation. We talked about her book ‘Somatic Maternal Healing’, some of the concepts from it, sensory considerations and maternal bodyfulness and much more. Helena Vissing, PsyD is a licensed psychologist certified in Perinatal Mental Health and Associate Professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. As a scholar of maternal studies and somatic psychology, she has published on the topics of the psychology of mothering and its somatic aspects. She is the author of “Somatic Maternal Healing. Psychodynamic and Somatic Trauma Treatment for Perinatal Mental Health”. She is also host on the podcast channels New Books in Psychoanalysis and New Books in Somatics and on the editorial board of the International Body Psychotherapy Journal. She offers trainings through Nurturing Mamas Network: nurturingmamasnetwork.com Helena's website: helenavissing.com Contact details: [email protected] If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram. Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath talks about getting to know and understand our own family history to get more of a picture of what we are dealing with and carrying. She shares some of her maternal and paternal family history talking about premature death, family separation, loss, loss of place, grief and also an explanation of why it is helpful to understand our history and how it can work to reduce shame. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram. Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cath was joined by Dr Chloe Bedford this week and they talked about Chloe's path to motherhood, how much pregnancy can bring up, how Chloe tends to herself in motherhood, running and how her relationship with running has changed as she has grown herself up in motherhood. Dr Chloe Bedford is a counselling psychologist, runner and mother of two. She has been qualified for 15 years and spent much of the time working with children, young people and families in the NHS and private practice, including in specialist eating disorder services. Alongside her clinical work, Chloe is @the.running.psychologist on Instagram where she talks about running, mental health, motherhood and the pressures we place on ourselves. Through her account, she brings psychological insight to the messier realities of everyday life, with an emphasis on curiosity and compassion rather than getting everything right. Chloe is running the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 11th October and would love you to sponsor her. Details listed below. Sponsor Chloe: https://pandasfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/chloe-bedford If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram. Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode after the summer holidays, Cath speaks to the complexities of recovering from chronic stress, how we need to approach it (and ourselves) in a different way, how our own shame may exacerbate stress and how ADHD can make things harder. She touches on biochemistry and physiological processes which are impacted by trauma and how the strategies we employ in childhood can become locked into our systems, using some of her own story as an example. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram. Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath talks about her concept 'Giving Up on Being Good' and the 'Good Girl Grid'. The experience of emotional neglect produces a set of coping strategies based on our stress responses and unwinding these as we grow and develop as adults is really important so that we can live our own TRUE lives. This work happens on multiple levels - cognitive, emotional, somatic, spiritual and we have to tolerate the discomfort of practising new ways of being in order that we live for ourselves, not to demonstrate goodness (for an imaginary audience!!) Cath shares ways she is 'not good' based on what society might expect and how she frees herself to live within the context of her life, so that you can figure out how you can 'give up on being good' in your own life. This will be the last episode now as we take a short break for summer. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the episode this week, Cath is joined by Colleen Adrian. Colleen is an author and a connected parenting coach for parents of sensitive spirited children. She’s a Mom, a Stepmom, and a Grandma and lives on a small island on the west coast of Canada. Cath and Colleen talked about how Colleen has grown herself up in motherhood, how discovering neuroscience and better understanding her nervous system. And, why that of her child's shifted everything for her and how she continues to surrender to her journey. Colleen shared how astrology has supported her and how she tends to anxiety when it comes up. Colleen helps parents of sensitive spirited children who struggle with intense emotions, including anxiety, aggression, perfectionism, tantrums and rebellion. Through parent coaching, somatic therapy and online courses, she helps parents learn skills for connection and emotional regulation, both for themselves and their children so they can leave behind authoritarian parenting methods. And, have a strong bond with their kids that they’re deeply longing for. She specialises in creating secure attachment and somatic healing. She’s passionate about nurturing authenticity, connected relationships, creativity, and supporting kids to grow into their unique selves. She believes the world needs more compassionate human beings who are living authentically from their hearts.  You can find more about Colleen below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@colleenadrian1590/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleen.parentwriter/Website: https://colleenadrian.com/ If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath answers two listener questions. The first question is a short question related to attachment and trauma in our younger years. Have a listen to episode 14 which gives a broad overview of trauma and helps provide context for the first question. Cath will be doing a more detailed view on this material (from episode 14) in an upcoming episode. The second question relates to feeling seen and heard in our adult love relationships and how this is impacted by various factors, how our inner children play a role and some suggestions for how this need can be met. Cath shares a deeply personal anecdote to illustrate how and why different partners have different levels of comfort with discussions around emotions and how emotional neglect plays a huge role in this. The book she references is 'Mating in Captivity' by Esther Perel. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath speaks about the expression of mixed feelings in motherhood and how we may move between two positions. With childhood trauma we may have more intense swings and not have much access to a ‘middle ground’. Cath looks at how we label ourselves and challenges the notion of linking our emotional states to stories of us as mothers. She shares some of her own experiences and an anecdote about changing after swimming. As always go gently with yourself. The book Cath references in the podcast is called 'Torn in Two' by Rozsika Parker. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath talks about our 8 sensory systems, about the importance of sensory integration, how trauma can impact this and shares some specific sensory systems and a couple of anecdotes from her own life to give you an idea about how impactful our sensory experience is. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Marchiano is an award-winning author, podcast host, and certified Jungian analyst. She is the author of three books published by Sounds True, Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself, The Vital Spark: Reclaim Your Outlaw Energies and Find Your Feminine Fire and Dream Wise: Unlocking the Meaning of Your Dreams. She is the cocreator and cohost of the popular depth psychology podcast This Jungian Life, and has a private practice in Philadelphia.  Cath and Lisa talked about Lisa’s motherhood journey, how she has grown herself up, the need for women to grow up and let go of innocence, self abandonment and pleasing others. This maturation process and claiming all parts of our feminine energy (not just that which is kind or sweet) is essential to be able to protect ourselves and our kids and live a full adult life.  You can connect with Lisa on the links listed below. Instagram: @lisamarchiano Other web links  LisaMarchiano.com spinningstraw.com thisjungianlife.com If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath speaks to over-functioning, how this traps many of us, breaking cycles, noticing and including ourselves in care and to stop operating like a hologram in our own lives. This is long term work with small shifts, Cath says please go gently with yourself. If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cath is joined by psychotherapist and coach Kate Merrick. Cath and Kate talked about Kate's path to motherhood, her lineage, how her ancestors turned up to support her journey, personal power in the postpartum time, advocating for our children, medical herbalism and much more. Kate is a mother, an embodied gestalt psychotherapist, transformational coach and a home herbalist and she is dedicated to guiding women on their journey's of healing and transformation. Kate specialises in the holistic treatment of childhood developmental trauma, ancestral trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth, empowering women to reclaim their inner authority, their innate wisdom, their cyclical rhythm and to deepen into loving compassionate relationships with themselves. As well as working in one to one practice, Kate also runs women’s circles that centre around psychological and spiritual growth work. In addition, she now runs Rushmead Farm, her “garden cauldron”, making organic therapeutic products from her Somerset herb garden; natural elixirs that support our minds, bodies and spirits. You can connect with Kate on Instagram below @the.embodiedwoman @rushmeadfarm Website: www.katemerrickpsychotherapy.co.uk If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cath was joined by productivity strategist and home educating Mum of 3 Amanda Appiagyei this week on the podcast. Cath and Amanda talked about Amanda's path to motherhood, mothering in a neurodivergent family, how Amanda tends to herself, her nervous system, her kids and her business, breaking cycles in a black mixed race family and the complexities of dealing with our own stuff as we parent.  Amanda is a sustainable productivity strategist for ambitious but overloaded women, and a home-educating mum of three. She shares equitable time management advice and practical systems for life and business that work with who you already are. Parent-friendly and ND-friendly. Her work supports women who want more than survival mode, eases the mental clutter, lightens the physical load, and frees up hours for what matters most, helping them streamline the boring to make space for the exciting.    Links and details to Amanda's website and socials are listed below. Stop the Spiral - A Gentle Productivity Tool  unmuddled.co/stop-the-spiral/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.appiagyei/ Website: unmuddled.co If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath was joined by Dr Emma Offord. Cath and Emma talked about Emma's path to motherhood, childhood trauma, how Emma tends to and advocates for herself and her children and sensory needs and how these are so important to understand, particularly in the context of families/food/parenting. We talked about autism, ADHD, neurodivergence and trauma, late diagnosis, OCD and how Emma experiences OCD and Emma talked about unmasking and how she advocates for herself in order to tend to her needs. Dr Emma Offord is a clinical psychologist and founder of Divergent Life, a neuroaffirming practice supporting neurodivergent children, parents, and adults. Divergent Life offers diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD, alongside therapy, coaching, and group programmes that centre the whole person rather than deficit-based models. Emma is passionate about challenging medicalised approaches to neurodivergence and naming the systemic harms that arise when difference is misunderstood. Her work helps people understand their nervous systems, developmental histories, and strengths in context, with a particular focus on breaking cycles of shame, survival, and self-blame in parenting and family life. She brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as a late-identified neurodivergent woman and parent, shaped by complex developmental trauma and a deep understanding of how these layers interact across generations. Emma hosts This Voice Is Mine: The Unquiet Podcast and offers group programmes including the Neurodivergent Identity Programme (NDIP), Nervous System Reset (NSR), and Empowered Parenting. Instagram: @divergentlives Website: divergentlife.co.uk If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Cath answers a listener's letter. The content of this episode deals with the question: ‘How can we tend to ourselves when we realise some of our parenting has come from our own pain and trauma?’ How do we deal with the guilt and shame arising from this? What helps this shift? If you're enjoying this podcast. Please leave a review and rate the podcast, this really helps others to find it. To sign up for the journal prompts and Nurture.Heal.Grow (on Substack) please head to www.cathcounihan.com or @cathcounihan on Instagram.  Follow Cath on social media here: Instagram: @cathcounihan Substack: Nurture.Heal.Grow Facebook: Cath Counihan  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.