In this episode Cath is joined by Yvonne Smyth. Yvonne is a Conscious Parent Coach and a Child Advocate. She's a single mum who co-parents her boys of 12 and 13 and she lives in Northern Ireland.

Yvonne shares about how and why she shifted her parenting style and how that has been so beneficial for her family. Yvonne is passionate about supporting parents to connect deeply with their children and to move away from using coercion and control within the parent/child relationship. Yvonne discusses the challenges of parenting in the teenage years. She shares how she is approaching this time, how she maintains connection and continues to work on the parent/child relationship, despite messaging in society that says this is a time we 'lose our kids'.

Many of Yvonne's clients come to her with lots of "knowledge" about Conscious/Gentle Parenting but struggle to put it into practice. Yvonne is warm, honest and compassionate. One of the words people who work with her most often use to describe her is "relatable". She shares many stories and anecdotes from what she calls her own "living laboratory" of her relationship with her boys which brings her work to life in a way that tends to resonate deeply with other parents.

Yvonne offers sessions on zoom to parents, couples and even friends who want to be supported together. She also runs workshops on various themes related to Conscious Parenting. Yvonne has a series of workshops aimed specifically at parents of teens. She has also just launched a community/membership called The Heart of Parenting - What Really Matters.

You can find Yvonne here:

Instagram: @thisparentingadventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thisparentingadventure

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-smyth-009645a/

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.

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Instagram: @cathcounihan

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Cath was joined by Flora Cruft for this episode. Flora Cruft is a poet, a picture book writer, an existential psychotherapist and a creativity coach. She runs her own online therapy and coaching practice, South West Therapy. Her debut poetry book I am a Spider Mother was published by The Mum Poem Press in 2022. Flora won the Books that Help 2023 picture book mentorship with Little Tiger Press, and she loves to write, sing, bake and enjoy loud kitchen discos with her twin daughters.

Flora has an instagram account @poet.therapist.baker where she explores the intersections between therapy, creativity, writing, authentic living, baking and mental health. She lives with her partner and family in East Devon.

Flora and Cath talked about Flora's path to motherhood, her fertility journey, what she learnt about creativity growing up, how she lost and regained connection to her creativity. We talked about creativity, the inner critic and motherhood and Flora shared how baking nourished her on her motherhood journey and much more! This rich episode will encourage you to access your own creativity!

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

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Cath was joined by Kendra Wilde this week. They talked all about how to keep our sanity intact in parenting when our children are struggling in some way. Kendra shared about the 'why' behind (Wild Peace for Parents) and how she was pushed to a place of burnout on her parenting journey. This conversation is loaded with self compassion and wisdom from someone who has kids in their twenties, we hope you enjoy it.

Kendra Wilde is a parent wellbeing advocate who uses illustration, podcasting, writing, and workshops to share resilience resources with parents. As a mom of three who met burnout up close, she realized the best way to help children thrive is to care for the caregivers.

Kendra created (Wild Peace for Parents) to help parents feel less alone and more empowered as they navigate the challenges and growth pains of parenting, especially when raising children who struggle somehow.

She recently launched "A Little Easier", a 12-episode podcast series that brings together leading experts and real parents who share insights, personal stories, and practical tools to give parents a lift through challenging times. The series takes listeners on a 12-part journey, exploring everything from the complex emotions parents experience when their kids struggle, to the nervous system’s impact on parenting, and what can help us fend off burnout, find a sense of balance, and embrace what “is” with more compassion and joy. You can find (A Little Easier) on most podcast platforms. Visit alittleeasier.org for show notes, a free downloadable discussion guide, a printable poster of key takeaways from the show, and more.

Find Kendra on Instagram & FB @wildpeaceforparents and at wildpeace.org

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

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In this solo episode Cath uses her concept 'The Good Girl Grid' to explain how women are held down in society and how this complicates our ability to own our own internal and motherhood experience. She talks about the idea of 'being on our own sides' and what that means and how that might look in practise (using anecdotes from her own life).

Parenting is a huge growth opportunity, please be gentle 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

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Facebook: Cath Counihan

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Cath was joined by psychotherapist and coach Kate Merrick this week. 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:

@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

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Facebook: Cath Counihan

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In this episode Cath speaks to how much our own inner child may be triggered in parenting and makes some suggestions about what to hold in mind to support yourself.

She speaks to the important psychological role of the mother/primary caregiver and how much this is to hold, learn and practise. She answers a listener question about criticism and comments from our kids. And weaves in psychological theory to support your role in your family, using personal anecdotes to explain some points.

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

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In this deeply personal episode Cath reflects on what often trips us up when we spend long periods of time with our kids, particularly when we have childhood trauma. She highlights some of the key issues we deal with when we have experienced trauma and gives some tips and suggestions for how you can make the most of time spent with your kids (while holding onto your sanity).

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.

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In episode 120 of Grow Yourself Up Cath was joined by Clint Davis. Cath and Clint talked about culture and patriarchy, how Clint parents differently to how he was patented and how he continues to grow himself up in fatherhood. Cath and Clint talked about Clint’s book and how the conversations you have with your kids when they are young provide an important basis for later communication and much more.

Clint Davis is an Army veteran, ordained minister, and licensed professional counselor trained in trauma and addiction. Clint is a speaker and hosts the 'Asking Why' podcast. He is also the author of 'Building Better Bridges', a guidebook to having difficult conversations that can save our children.

Clint has a large team of mental health professionals that work together to make a difference in their communities.

Resources for Clint Davis Counseling

TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/k5bxxen5cAo

Instagram: @clintdaviscounseling

Facebook: @clintdaviscounseling

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com

Website: www.clintdaviscounseling.com

Email: Clintdaviscounseling@gmail.com

BBB: www.buildingbetterbridgesbook.com

Amazon: (Building Better Bridges) https://a.co/d/bbkF1FL

Asking Why Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/asking-why/id1527892108

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

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