Carly's Couch

Artist, filmmaker, and producer Kunyalala Ndlovu joins me for a rich conversation about his journey into fatherhood and how it transformed his understanding of masculinity. Born in Zimbabwe and now based in London, Kunyalala shares his experience of being a full-time father for 18 months - something "completely unheard of" where he's from and "the least masculine thing you could do" according to t...

One of the most common struggles in my therapy practice: women who've been conditioned to believe they're responsible for managing everyone's emotions. Using real examples from relationships with new parents, I examine how societal conditioning creates automatic "yes" responses that ultimately harm both ourselves and our relationships. I share practical steps for recognizing burnout symptoms as bo...

Disclaimer: This episode contains personal opinions and perspectives on complex geopolitical issues. The views expressed by the host and guest do not represent an official position on the Israel-Palestine conflict and are shared as part of an exploration of psychological and emotional dimensions of identity, trauma, and human connection. This conversation is meant to provoke thought and empathy ra...

In this heartfelt solo episode, I explore what we've lost in modern motherhood - the village, the tribe, the collective female support that once surrounded new mothers. Patriarchal systems have stripped value from traditionally feminine roles, leaving mothers isolated in their achievements and struggles. From my therapy practice, I witness mothers performing daily acts of heroism that go unseen: h...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with artist, filmmaker and photographer Justice Mukheli, who I've followed for over 12 years. Known for his groundbreaking project "I See A Different You" which beautifully reshapes African narratives, Justice shares his transformative journey into fatherhood with his seven-month-old daughter. We explore how this experience has fundamentally changed him as a ma...

After a period of reflection and growth, On the Couch with Carly returns on MAY 14, 2025, with fresh perspectives on mental health, relationships, and the messy parts of being human. On the Couch returns with three powerful episodes exploring fatherhood with Justice Mukheli, my solo episode on the collective experience of motherhood, and complex conversations about identity with Joseph Dana. Heali...

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 hard and I caution against the messaging that this is something we can even do, especially in...

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 the more scary things that can go wrong. With the help of a doula you can be informed and empowered through this...

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 and strive for a more equitable system.

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 should bring to coaching.

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.

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 account everyone's needs.

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 why we are seeing such high rates of Postpartum Anxiety and what we should be doing about it.

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

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.

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 everyone in the family benefits? Or should we accept to be sleep deprived throughout the period of infancy?

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.

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 keep in your orbit.

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

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 job is hard momma, and you're doing your best!

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.

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 "plan". In this episode I unpack this desire for predictability and how the process of coming to terms wit...

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 go well it can feel like a personal failure and that is because of the way we are communicating about breastfeeding as a society. In...

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.

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.