Parental Psychology

Parental Psychology Specialist evidence based parental mental health support

Happy New Year! As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to say thank you to all the parents, families, an...
31/12/2025

Happy New Year!

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to say thank you to all the parents, families, and professionals we’ve supported this year. 💛

We look forward to supporting you in the year ahead. You never have to navigate parenthood alone.

You wouldn’t believe how often I hear this.One of my clients recently told me they’d been so nervous before their first ...
29/12/2025

You wouldn’t believe how often I hear this.
One of my clients recently told me they’d been so nervous before their first session - they’d never spoken to a therapist before and weren’t sure what it would feel like to open up to someone new.

But as they shared later, they needn’t have worried.

They told me that from the moment we began, they felt safe, comfortable, and able to be vulnerable. They described our sessions as flowing naturally, with seamless segues and gentle guidance — something that meant a lot to them as they settled into the process.

Their words stayed with me:

“I was nervous at first, but April is so warm and approachable. Thank you, April.”

If you’re feeling hesitant about starting therapy, please know this: it’s completely okay to feel that way. Many people do. And my job is to create a space where you can feel held, understood, and supported at your own pace.

You don’t have to do this alone. ❤️

The holiday season is magical… but let’s be real, it can also be emotionally exhausting. 🎄✨ Between sugar highs, late ni...
26/12/2025

The holiday season is magical… but let’s be real, it can also be emotionally exhausting. 🎄✨ Between sugar highs, late nights, and constant togetherness, meltdowns are bound to happen - and honestly, who doesn’t have an emotional reaction to them? We’re biologically wired to respond (it’s called attachment) so we keep our kids safe. Amazing… but also exhausting.

Here are 4 ways to cope when your patience is running thin after the holiday chaos:

🔹 Notice your triggers - what situations set you off most?
🔹 Track your reactivity - is there a time of day you always snap?
🔹 Plan ahead - snacks, routines, tiny tweaks can make life easier.
🔹 Pause - remind yourself: this isn’t an emergency. Shake it off, breathe, hum… then respond calmly.

It’s not about perfection - it’s about pausing, practicing, and remembering: your child is doing their best, and they need your help. 💛

Merry Christmas!Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, however this day looks like for you 🌲
25/12/2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, however this day looks like for you 🌲

You’re definitely not alone - parenting can bring out every emotion under the sun (sometimes all before breakfast ☀️).Th...
22/12/2025

You’re definitely not alone - parenting can bring out every emotion under the sun (sometimes all before breakfast ☀️).

That’s why I created my free Survival Guide for Parents - a simple, practical resource to help you pause, reset, and respond with more calm and compassion.

✨ Because you deserve support too.
Download your free guide today - link in bio. 🌿

Reminder: you deserve to enjoy Christmas too.Slow down, savor the little moments, and let yourself feel the joy of the s...
19/12/2025

Reminder: you deserve to enjoy Christmas too.

Slow down, savor the little moments, and let yourself feel the joy of the season.

✨ The little inside happy dance I do when I meet a cycle breaker… ✨I know I don’t always see the world in the most conve...
18/12/2025

✨ The little inside happy dance I do when I meet a cycle breaker… ✨

I know I don’t always see the world in the most conventional way, and not everyone feels like I do, but this is the core of everything for me.

I’m not here to criticise the generations before us - in fact, I often have huge respect for them. Yes, there were behaviours that were never okay, and they need to be acknowledged. I try to remember: they didn’t know, and they did the best they could with what they had.
I have this vivid memory from infant school: being made to stand facing a wall at playtime as a punishment. I have no idea why. I was a well-behaved child, so it must’ve been something age-appropriate. I remember the detail of the wall, where I stood, and the sinking feeling of shame.
I can see why they did it, they thought they were teaching me a lesson…
but I didn’t learn what I did wrong or what I should be doing.

I just learnt that adults could make me feel bad for being me.

And that’s why I’m not just talking about parents. I’m talking about anyone in a position of influence over children — teachers, doctors, midwives, sports coaches, policy makers, the list goes on. We all shape the next generation.
And it makes me wonder:

What will my children’s generation do differently to me?
What don’t I know now that they’ll know in the future?

It’s a scary thought, having to face what I might have done “wrong.” But maybe that’s not the point. Maybe it’s about staying curious, not defensive. Learning from each generation, not blaming or shaming.

Easier said than done… but I’m here for it.

The holiday season can be magical - but it can also be stressful. 🎄 Between gift lists, family commitments, and end-of-y...
17/12/2025

The holiday season can be magical - but it can also be stressful. 🎄 Between gift lists, family commitments, and end-of-year pressures, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This is your reminder that it's okay to pause, breathe and prioritise yout mental health. By taking care of ourselves, we not only survive the season - we enjoy it, and model healthy coping for our children. 💛

Some simple ways to manage the stress:
✨ Set realistic expectations
✨ Take quiet moments for yourself
✨ Ask for help when you need it
✨ Focus on connection over perfection

Let’s make this season joyful, not just busy. 🌟

Why fathers mental health matters tooAs a society, we often focus on the mental health of mothers, and for good reason. ...
15/12/2025

Why fathers mental health matters too

As a society, we often focus on the mental health of mothers, and for good reason. Being a parent is a demanding and challenging task, and mothers are often the primary caregivers for their children. However, it’s important to remember that fathers’ mental health matters too.

Fathers play a crucial role in the development and well-being of their children, and their mental health can have a significant impact on their ability to be present and engaged in their children’s lives. In fact, studies have shown that fathers’ mental health is a strong predictor of their children’s mental health and well-being.

So, what can fathers do to take care of their mental health? Swipe to find out...

Parenting can be challenging, and it’s easy to put our own needs last. But looking after our mental health isn’t just ab...
12/12/2025

Parenting can be challenging, and it’s easy to put our own needs last. But looking after our mental health isn’t just about us - it’s about teaching our children that it’s okay to care for themselves too. 🌱

By normalising seeking support and practising self-care, we show our kids how to build resilience, handle stress, and value their own well-being. The habits we model today shape the minds and hearts of tomorrow. 💛

Get in touch to see how we can help.

We can help with:Anxiety or worry during pregnancyPost-natal depression or anxietyBonding with your baby Recovering from...
11/12/2025

We can help with:

Anxiety or worry during pregnancy
Post-natal depression or anxiety
Bonding with your baby
Recovering from a difficult or traumatic birth
Your child’s behaviour
Being a calmer parent
Parenting a child who has a diagnosis (or suspected) of autism or ADHD
Neurodivergent Parenting

You don’t have to face any of this alone. Support is here, and you deserve it. 💛

Some of my favourite invalidating comments said to parents (sense the sarcasm):“Mine just slept.”“Mine just did as they ...
09/12/2025

Some of my favourite invalidating comments said to parents (sense the sarcasm):

“Mine just slept.”
“Mine just did as they were told.”
“Why don’t you just… (insert impossibly obvious solution you’ve definitely already tried).”

The angry part of me hears these comments and feels criticised, unseen, unheard. Then I pause, talk to the people who actually get it, and remind myself:
They probably didn’t mean it that way.
They’ve probably forgotten how hard this stage truly is (brains are helpful like that).
They might even feel helpless and unsure how to support me.

What I wish parents could hear instead:
“I remember that stage being so challenging.”
“I’m genuinely impressed by how nurturing you are, even on the hard days.”
“You’re doing so well. How can I help?”

I say it often because it’s true:
It’s hard because it’s hard, not because you’re failing.

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