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Hosted by Crystal Hardstaff, a counsellor and parenting educator, this podcast is here to support you through the emotional ups and downs of perinatal mental health, parenting, and self-identity. This space is for real, honest conversations about the challenges of early parenthood, raising children, and prioritising your mental wellbeing. Whether you’re navigating the newborn stage, toddlerhood, older years, or balancing the journey of motherhood with your personal identity, you’ll find meaningful insights, relatable personal stories, and practical tools to help you feel more empowered. Topics range from parenting education to mental health topics. Join me as we explore how to nurture your mental health, cultivate connection, and raise confident, resilient children, all while honouring the person you are beyond your role as a parent.
Episodes

Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
S2 Episode 9: The Lie of Aiming To Be The ’Perfect’ Parent
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
Wednesday Oct 12, 2022
The clash between what we thought parenting would be like vs. the reality. Societal pressures and expectations on parents especially mothers and the imbalance of expectations between mums and dads. How those following gentle parenting can feel the pressure to ‘get it right’ all the time.
To book a Counselling session with Crystal click here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Saturday May 07, 2022
S2 Episode 8: Psychology and Spirituality
Saturday May 07, 2022
Saturday May 07, 2022
I am hosting the annual Mums’ Mental Health Summit which is a 2-day event of Guest Speakers and Workshops with mums sharing all about mental health and motherhood. If you’ve been feeling the pull to do something for yourself, then this is the event for you. Its happening over October 8th-9th at the Mantra Legends Hotel in Surfers Paradise, in QLD. It’s the ultimate self-care for mums event. There are VIP and General admission options for you to check out, but be quick to grab your ticket and make plans as tickets are very limited. I cannot wait to meet you all!
Tickets for the Mums' Mental Health Summit https://thegentlecounsellor.com/mums-mental-health-summit/
In today's podcast episode, I wanted to share with you a bit about my thoughts and my personal and professional experience around psychology and spirituality. This is something that I have been on my own journey with. So of course, I've got my degrees that are very psychology based. But in my personal life, I've also felt this shift to explore my spirituality. I find this to be perhaps a more common thing that occurs for us as we get older, I really am curious about what it stems from for a lot of people, whether that's religious trauma, or just feeling the sense of there's something more, or you're trying to find ways to support yourself. Join me in this conversation, I would love to hear from you.
To book a Counselling session with Crystal click here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.
If you work with mothers and families you may be interested in my upcoming Gentle Motherhood Professionals Training. It consists of educational content and modules learning the Gentle Motherhood™ Framework alongside individual and group sessions over 8-weeks.
In this training, you will receive a combination of:
- The Gentle Motherhood™ Framework
- 6-weeks of education content and modules
- Business coaching and personal counselling
- 12-months Business plan and an offering
- A certificate upon completion
- A listing in my business directory network (only available for those who complete this training)
Gentle Motherhood™ Professionals Training https://thegentlecounsellor.teachable.com/p/gentle-motherhood-professionals-training

Saturday Apr 16, 2022
Saturday Apr 16, 2022
I am joined by De from Mama Nourished Co who is a Postpartum Doula passionate about mothers deserving postpartum support. In this episode De shares some of her practical tips for how we can receive and ask for support during this vulnerable and important time. After this chat, we decided to make a Facebook group for those who are looking to create their own or be a part of someone else's postpartum community. Search Practical Postpartum Village Australia or click here to join.
De @mamanourishedco
https://www.mamanourishedco.com/
The annual Mums' Mental Health Summit is coming to you October 8-9! Tickets are available now, click here. I can't wait to meet you!
To book a Counselling session with Crystal click here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
Wednesday Mar 16, 2022
I went Live on Instagram with Tiffany to talk about the duality of motherhood. Here is the replay on Instagram. We can love it and we can find it hard. We can enjoy playing with our children and dislike pretend play. We can wish for our children to sleep through the night and miss the cuddles when they do. We can be snappy some days and be working to be more gentle. There is so much we can be as Mothers, this journey isn’t linear. There is space for the positive and negative. So what can we do? Accepting this, being compassionate with ourselves will allow the space for the duality of motherhood.
Tiffany @inspire.learn.teach
The annual Mums' Mental Health Summit is coming to you October 8-9! Mark your calendars for ticket sales to become available in early April. I can't wait to meet you!
To book a Counselling session with Crystal click here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Monday Feb 21, 2022
S2 Episode 5: What it means to be a Cycle Breaker
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
In today's episode, we're going to be talking about what it means to be a cycle breaker, and what does this mean for our children. For many of us who are making a conscious decision to parent differently to the way that we were parented and raised, we can feel like we're going against the grain. If you were not modelled to parent in this gentle parenting way, you need a lot of information and support. It's really hard to parent in this way, it's definitely not the easy way out. And when we come to realize this and acknowledge our struggles, and what we find really hard, we realize it is because we are the first ones to do something differently.
To book a Counselling session with Crystal click here. To book Coaching click here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
S2 Episode 4: The way you were parented impacts you - the four attachment styles
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Tuesday Feb 08, 2022
Did you know that the way you were parented impacts you? In this episode, we are adding to this conversation by talking about the four attachment styles which is something I am really passionate about. Remember, it's never too late to form a secure attachment. If you would like to learn more about the attachment styles, I have a course on my website 'Understanding Your Attachment Style: explaining patterns in triggers, behaviours, and relationships' that you can access here.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Sunday Jan 16, 2022
S2 Episode 3: The way you were parented impacts you - parenting styles
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
Sunday Jan 16, 2022
If I were to ask you if you believe the way you were parented or raised has impacted you in a positive or negative way, what would you say? It is likely that every person I ask would give me a different answer. There may be some similarities in emotions felt, family dynamics, or cherished holidays. But each one will hold unique details that ultimately contribute to how you were shaped into who you are today. This is a big topic and today's episode will focus on how different parenting styles impacts you.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Friday Jan 07, 2022
S2 Episode 2: Energy states of women and how this impacts mothering
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Welcome to the More Than Mothering Podcast. I am your host Crystal Hardstaff from The Gentle Counsellor where I specialise in maternal mental health and gentle parenting. Let me ask you a question. Are you tired? If you are a mum listening to this, then your answer is probably YES. Ok, here’s another one. How is your energy level right now? A bit lacking, feel like the toddler is sucking it right out of you? Yep. Been there. Let’s talk about energy states for women, because I have some insights I would like to share with you that I often share with counselling clients in session, and they find this information really helpful.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.
Click here for the freebie on energy states. Remember to tag me @thegentlecounsellor

Friday Jan 07, 2022
Friday Jan 07, 2022
Welcome to the More Than Mothering Podcast. I am your host Crystal Hardstaff from The Gentle Counsellor where I specialise in maternal mental health and gentle parenting. You may have noticed that this podcast has a new name as it was formerly The Gentle Counsellor podcast. There are a few reasons I decided to rename it with the main points being that I want listeners to know what this podcast is about from the title, and I feel more than mothering does a good job at explaining this or at the very least sparks some intrigue on what it means. Let’s chat about the reason behind calling it more than mothering.
Click here to download the Transcription for this episode.

Sunday Oct 24, 2021
Sunday Oct 24, 2021
This is a replay from the Live Aussie Mums' Mental Health Virtual Event hosted by Crystal Hardstaff from The Gentle Counsellor.
Click here for more info on this event and to access other recordings including transcriptions www.thegentlecounsellor.com/freebies
Crystal Hardstaff: The Unnoticed Grief & Loss @thegentlecounsellor ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Crystal is a registered Counsellor with a background in Child Development, Education and Psychology. She is passionate about supporting mothers through their inner healing and parenting journeys.