On the Couch with Carly

Pressures on modern parents

I'm noticing the amount of pressure our parenting generation is under. We are working harder as well as parenting harder than ever before. In addition, we are being expected to "end inter-generational trauma" by giving our children the kinds of emotional attunement many of us never got ourselves. This is…

22 Nov 18 min

Birth preparation: Knowing what can go wrong can be empowering

Birth trauma can occur after baby is born. Nothing is quite as frightening as experiencing your newborn baby going into NICU but knowing the thresholds and protocols around this event will help. In this episode I unpack how I believe we need to educate ourselves in pregnancy for some of…

24 Jun 28 min

Making the invisible visible: How mums do more

In this episode I speak to the pandemic facing most families: the unequal division of labour in the home! Moms are carrying the mental load of parenting in disproportionate amounts. I look at the various factors that contribute to this reality and give some suggestions for how to navigate this…

23 May 51 min

Coaching on the Couch with Carly

Today's episode is a departure from the pregnancy and postpartum theme as I have an exciting announcement. I have just qualified as an integral coach! In this episode I discuss why I have chosen to become a coach, how coaching is different from therapy and what kinds of questions/problems you…

18 Apr 20 min

Why Sleep Training Helped Me with Karlien Terblanche

Sleep training is not for everyone but for this sleep-deprived mom it was the key to surviving postpartum with her mental health intact. In this episode we talk about the need to center the mother's mental health as a necessary means to build secure attachment.

25 Mar 46 min

My take on infant sleep

This is a follow up episode to the sleep training episode. I am 6 months down the line and this is what I have figured out about sleep and I offer my take so that you can feel empowered to make choices for you and your family that take into…

12 Feb 22 min

How Anxiety Tells Us What We Need

What do you do when you feel anxious? In this episode I talk about how we need to not only manage the symptoms of anxiety, we need to understand what our anxiety is telling us and actually make structural changes to bring ease to our lives. In particular, I unpack…

12 Jan 24 min

Some thoughts on choosing to become a parent

Choosing to be a parent isn't for everyone. Today I unpack some of the things to consider when deciding whether to become a parent

1 Dec 2023 27 min

An intro into sibling rivalry

This is a short episode where I discuss my experience of dealing with sibling rivalry and some advice for helping your children manage their big feelings around their siblings.

20 Oct 2023 20 min

Meg Faure on Infant Sleep

To sleep train or not to sleep train, that is the question? Meg and I unpack the thorny topic of infant sleep. Can babies learn to self soothe? Does this impact attachment to the caregiver? What should you do as a parent to help your baby sleep better so that…

19 Sep 2023 30 min

Lessons from the Second

In this episode I reflect on what I have learnt through having a second baby that I wish I had known as a first time mom. I also share what others have offered as advice for first-time moms now that they have a second baby.

18 Aug 2023 32 min

Moms groups and advice givers

In this very short episode (that i've recorded as a video as well) I discuss socialising as a new mom. Extroverts or introverts, neurotypical or atypical - not everyone feels energized and comforted by mom groups. I unpack some of the reasons for this and how to choose who to…

26 Jul 2023 14 min

Exciting new offerings On the Couch with Carly

I have launched two new online products which are live on my website now! Listen to this episode to understand what motivated me to create these, who they're most suitable for and get a discount code to receive 10% off your first order. Happy shopping #onthecouchwithcarly

11 Jul 2023 21 min

Being seen and holding complexity

We are sold so many competing narratives about what makes a good mom. But really we just need to be seen. This role entails wading through much complexity and finding one's true north amidst a barrage of messages from the culture in a capitalist society can be near impossible. Your…

1 Jun 2023 24 min

Tools for Surviving Postpartum

I briefly go into some of the tools we have at our disposal when we have a baby. I unpack the difference between help and support. And I share my experience of being in weekly therapy.

16 May 2023 25 min

Seeking Order in the Newborn Chaos

For many new parents, the newborn phase can be challenging because of how unpredictable and chaotic life can feel when you are learning your new baby. If you're looking for things to be 100% predictable and controllable then you might feel like you're failing when things don't go according to…

2 May 2023 25 min

Why Breastfeeding is Hard

Breastfeeding (or chestfeeding) is hard AF. For most, it's a journey that does not come easy. We know it's good for our babies but it is a complex skill that needs to be learned, like learning a new dance, and there WILL be mis-steps along the way. When things don't…

17 Apr 2023 21 min

Back from Beyond

Beyond the bump. In my first episode since giving birth, I talk to the themes around birth and postpartum that seem most universal. In this episode I share quotes from Dee Marco who documented her first 40 days postpartum on Tiny Letter.

14 Mar 2023 36 min

The final stages of pregnancy

In this episode I speak to the psychological experience of being in the final stages of pregnancy. I also look at how people respond to you at this stage and how to navigate this.

8 Feb 2023 29 min

New Year, New Me (A life update)

I don't really believe in the whole "new year new me" concept but in this episode I do share how I have gained insights in two specific areas since being on maternity leave. I discuss the enormous benefits of slowing down and resting and provide an update on my social…

27 Jan 2023 30 min