Ready to Rise Circles are small, supportive group sessions where mothers can pause, connect and talk honestly about the ups, downs and everything in between that comes with becoming a mum.
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Facilitated by a mental health clinician, each Circle offers a warm, welcoming space to slow down, feel supported and connect with other mothers — without judgement or pressure.
$40 90 minutes at mama midwifery Kensington
What are circles?
More than a mothers group
Motherhood comes with so many emotions — and not all of them are easy to talk about.
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You might be:
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Missing your old friendships
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Finding it harder to maintain relationships
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Feeling overwhelmed by the mental load
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Struggling to find time for yourself
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Wondering if everyone else is coping better than you
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Craving adult conversation
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Wanting somewhere to talk without being judged
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Looking for connection with women who get it
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If any of this sounds familiar, Circles were created with you in mind.
Who are Ready to Rise Circles for?
Ready to Rise Circles are for pregnant women and mothers with babies under one.
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Circles are a space to talk about the things we don't always feel safe saying out loud.
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You might be preparing for your first baby, welcoming another little one into your family, or finding your feet with a new baby while already parenting older children.
Every transition into motherhood is different.
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Circles are for mothers who are:
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Pregnant and preparing for the changes ahead
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Adjusting to life with a new baby
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Finding your feet after welcoming another child
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Feeling lonely or craving genuine connection
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Missing parts of your life or identity before motherhood
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Feeling overwhelmed by the mental load
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Experiencing emotions, you didn't expect
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Wanting somewhere to talk honestly without judgement
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Looking for practical ways to feel more emotionally resourced
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Simply wanting somewhere to connect with other women and feel a little less alone
Facilitated by a mental health occupational therapist
Why Circles?
I created Circles because supporting mothers isn't only about treating mental health difficulties when things become overwhelming. It's also about creating spaces where women can connect, reflect and feel supported through the enormous transition into motherhood.
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When my daughter was little, I remember craving a routine. Somewhere to go. A familiar place I could count on. A place that was designed for both babies and mothers.
There were plenty of baby-focused activities around, but I remember feeling like something was missing. I wanted somewhere I could go where I wasn't just a mum bringing her baby along.
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I've facilitated many therapy groups throughout my career, Ready to Rise Circles are not group therapy.
They're something different.
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They're a space to support women through the transition to motherhood — a place to pause, connect, reflect and talk about the parts of motherhood that don't always make it into everyday conversation.
01 - Arrive
When you arrive, your facilitator will be there to welcome you, help you settle in and show you into the space. Step into a naturally lit yoga studio and leave the busyness of the day at the door. You'll be welcomed by soft music, a gentle natural aroma, seasonal flowers and foliage, and a space filled with soft fabrics and comfortable cushions. Tea and coffee will be waiting for you. Take a moment to settle in, make yourself comfortable and simply be. You don't need to know anyone when you arrive. Gentle conversation starters and prompts will help you connect with the women around you, without the awkwardness of having to make conversation from scratch.
02 - Explore
Each Circle has a theme Every Circle explores a different part of motherhood — including the things we might think about often, but don't always feel comfortable talking about. The conversation is gently guided, with space to share your own experiences, hear from other women and explore practical ways to support your emotional wellbeing.
03 - Connect
Share, listen and reflect with other mothers. You don't have to talk. Sharing is always optional. You can participate as much or as little as feels comfortable.
04 - Take something
You might leave with something small. Perhaps a sprig of seasonal foliage from the Circle. An affirmation that you needed to hear. A new skill to help you through a difficult moment. A different perspective on something you've been carrying. A new friendship. Or simply the feeling of being understood and emotionally held. Each Circle will offer practical tools, gentle grounding exercises and space to reflect — but there is no prescribed outcome. Take what you need. Leave with what feels meaningful to you.
Each circle has a theme
Monthly Themes
September: The Mental Load
The list in your head that never seems to end.
October: Finding Your New Normal
Who am I now? Becoming a mother can change so much more than your daily routine. These Circles create space to talk about identity, change and the sometimes-messy process of finding your feet in this new chapter.
November: The Good Enough Mum
Letting go of the pressure to get it right. We'll explore perfectionism, comparison, guilt and the pressure to be a "good mum" — and consider what it might look like to give yourself a little more compassion.
December: Surviving the Festive Season
When the most wonderful time of the year feels like a lot.
We'll talk honestly about navigating the festive season as a mother, setting boundaries, managing expectations and finding ways to protect your own wellbeing along the way.
What therapy is for
I work with a wide range of presentations — from the very specific (postnatal depression, birth trauma) to the more general (anxiety, stress, identity shifts). Here's a broad picture of what I can help with:
Perinatal Mental Health
• Postnatal (postpartum) depression
• Perinatal anxiety and depression
• Birth trauma and PTSD
• Perinatal loss and grief
• Adjustment to parenthood
• Attachment and bonding difficulties
General Mental Health
• General anxiety and depression
• Intrusive thoughts
• Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
• Identity and relationship changes
• Psychosocial disability support (NDIS)
Everyday Life & Practical Support
• Daily routines and life skills with a newborn
• Sleep, feeding, and self-care strategies
• Sensory modulation for babies and parents
• Coping with parental overwhelm and stress
• Building structure, habits, and sustainable rhythms
How I work
My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and practically grounded. I draw on a range of evidence-based frameworks depending on what's most helpful for you, always with your real daily life in mind, not just the hour we're in together.
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• Trauma-informed care, understanding the impact of birth, history, and the perinatal period
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• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), interpersonal relationships therapy and motivational interviewing, whatever fits best for you
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• Therapeutic use of occupation, supporting mental health through meaningful daily activity
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• Person-centred and collaborative, therapy designed around your goals, your pace, your life
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