Carly's Couch

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 media hiatus and how it has affected my mental health.

Support is the golden thread that runs through much of what we discuss in Oh Baby, WTF! If you missed our in-person workshop on the 10th you will soon be able to download the course online through my website, along with the couples coaching course Ready, Steady, Baby! Support is something we need to think about and include in our birth plan but most importantly in our postpartum plan. In this epis...

In this episode I share my knowledge on doulas and doula support. I wrote my masters thesis on doula support so I have read countless studies that provide strong evidence for the use of doulas during birth. If you are thinking of getting a doula or not sure what that even is, this episode will hopefully help you understand why these women are so beneficial and should be part of every birth story!

I am about to go on maternity leave and have decided to challenge myself to go off social media to try and manage my addiction to my smartphone. In this episode I speak about how social media has been a lifeline at times, especially since becoming a parent. I acknowledge the benefits of finding community and connection online but am realising that I use these tools in ways that aren't so helpful a...

*Upcoming event* In this episode I discuss the reasons I'm offering this once-off antenatal workshop at Atlantic Children's Practice in the V&A Waterfront on 10 December 2022. Oh baby, WTF! is a workshop that all expecting first time parents should attend. Unlike traditional antenatal courses, it REALLY prepares you for what it's like to bring home a new baby. The focus is on the experience of bec...

Our first guest this season is the incredible Dr Jess Standbridge. A specialist psychiatrist and advocate for mental health, Jess has recently become a mother. This experience informs the many insights she shares around maternal mental health and the transformative experience of becoming a mother. In this episode we hear about her own pregnancy and how she learned the most important lesson of all....

In this episode I start to unpack the various options available to us when we start to think about what kind of birth we want. We need to reckon with the medicalization of birth. There are choices available to us but sometimes we don't get the birth we want. Empowered is always best so I always encourage a sense of agency as well as trust in care providers.

Pregnancy is a time of adjustment. Like all adjustments, it's a process that involves resistance and surrender. In this episode I talk about how I surrendered to a part of the process this week that taught me again how to take care of my needs via communication of a boundary. I hope it inspires you to do the same.

Around 15% of pregnancies result in miscarriage. Loss is unfortunately a part of many people's fertility journey. In this episode I discuss the loss that occurs via abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death. What can we expect from the grieving process and what can we do to process these kinds of losses?

People get way too up in your business when you're pregnant. Here are a few things you should NEVER ask a pregnant person. I offer suggestions of things to ask / ways to ask that are not invasive and offer support and compassion instead. Also if you're pregnant, I offer some advice around how to navigate boundaries with perfect strangers asking invasive questions.

I talk about the journey of the first trimester, the ups and downs, and all the emotions in between. In these first three months of pregnancy you can expect to feel anything and everything including hope, fear, loss, guilt and relief.

The start of season 3 and it sounds...well...different. I'm no longer in studio but I hope that even though this sounds less profesh, at least I will now be able to deliver weekly episodes! I have a big announcement for you...but you have to listen to find out what it is.

Zakeeya Patel is a well-known South African actress. She has been educating herself on the topic of body shaming and body positivity/neutrality and is here to talk about all that she has learned.

The Circle of Security Parenting Intervention is a phenomenal tool to help parents of small children. Myself and Bev are both licensed facilitators. We sat down to chat about this amazing intervention, so you can understand a little bit more about it.

Boitumelo Dibakoane is a registered birth doula. Her harrowing experience as a young, scared, first time mother inspired her to help others. This story comes with a trigger warning for obstetric abuse and birth trauma. Unfortunately this is a common theme for many who give birth in South Africa. Find out how Boitumelo is fighting for the rights of black women in particular.

Riffing off the themes picked up in the Netflix show "Sex/Life" I discuss the concept of a mid-life crisis and how these moments point us in a direction towards a part of ourselves that need to be alive again. What can you do in your life right now to feel more alive?

Zach Watson is a "TikTok dad influencer" who is challenging the status quo when it comes to modern day fatherhood. In this episode we discuss what he has learned from three months of paternity leave, how he thinks dads need to change their behaviour from the minute their partner falls pregnant, and how we all need to shift patterns that enable dads to be let off the hook from parenting duties.

Attachment theory gives us so many insights into our humanity, how we relate to one another and who we choose to love. Everyone always wants to know, why do we choose certain partners over others? In this episode I unpack the different adult attachment styles and discuss how we might choose certain partners based on your attachment style.

Based on a previous blog post, this episode aims to provide answers for anyone who wants to become a psychologist, specifically students of psychology who are wondering about the masters application process in South Africa.

I'm joined by the incredible creator and actor, Julia Anastasopoulos, and although I can't pronounce her last name I think this conversation cemented in my mind just how thoughtful, kind, generous and honest she is. I adore her as a public figure and human being. Join me as we discuss all things motherhood, body image, the hilarious Tali's baby diary, inclusivity and more.

I chat to Mayuri about her work as activist and educator in the antiracism space. We define antiracism, explain the difference between equity and equality, and offer insight for white people who are keen to do antiracist work. We also discuss self care and how BIPOC are feeling exhausted and need a break.

What is antiraism? Where am I at with my antiracism journey? And how can you be antiracist too? 2020 was a huge year for The Black Lives Matter movement. After covid, it was the biggest news story and cultural phenomenon. In this episode I unpack the concept of antiracism and speak to my own journey, ending with a call to action.

In this episode I unpack some of the common experiences of living through this pandemic. It's been over a year of masks, lockdowns and weirdness. How has that affected our minds and our lives? I also share some tips for managing during this difficult time.

Talking about taboo subjects is a really important part of therapeutic work. Therapy should be a safe space to discuss any topic and the great thing about this is that you can open up about parts of yourself that you would not share with others.

Being a therapist is a hard job but you might be surprised by what challenges me the most in this work.