Contigo Child and Family

10/06/2026

Parent and infant mental health cannot be separated.

Yet many parents describe feeling that their own needs have been minimised, dismissed, or become invisible during early parenthood, at precisely the time they most need support.

Supporting infant mental health means holding both baby and parent in mind. It means recognising that parents bring their own histories, strengths, vulnerabilities, and emotional needs into the transition to parenthood.

When parents feel seen, understood, and supported, it not only matters for their own wellbeing, it also strengthens the relationships in which infants grow and develop.

10/06/2026

Parent and infant mental health cannot be separated.

Yet many parents describe feeling that their own needs have been minimised, dismissed, or become invisible during early parenthood, at precisely the time they most need support.

Supporting infant mental health means holding both baby and parent in mind. It means recognising that parents bring their own histories, strengths, vulnerabilities, and emotional needs into the transition to parenthood.

When parents feel seen, understood, and supported, it not only matters for their own wellbeing, it also strengthens the relationships in which infants grow and develop.

As we recognise Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, perhaps we can ask ourselves:

How can we better hold the mental health of both parent and infant in mind within our health systems and within society?

09/06/2026

Parenthood is one of many journeys.

The Perinatal Journeys Reflection Cards are a collection of over 100 thoughtfully illustrated image cards designed to support reflection, conversation, storytelling, and meaning-making throughout the perinatal period.

Each card features a carefully crafted image without words, inviting parents, caregivers, and professionals to bring their own interpretations, experiences, emotions, and meaning.

These reflection cards are now available at https://payhip.com/b/NrXcp

29/05/2026

I'm creating a series of therapy cards about the realities of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood.
When you think of the perinatal journey, what image comes to mind?

28/04/2026

I recently published an ebook for children to help them understand the emotional changes of a parent or caregiver 🤍

My Mummy’s Inside Weather uses the metaphor of “inside weather” to give children a simple, gentle way to make sense of the ups and downs they might notice, without needing to understand the reasons behind them.

Especially helpful for families where a parent is living with mental illness, while also being a book that can benefit all families.

It’s designed to support reassurance, understanding, and connection even when things feel a bit stormy.

If you would like to purchase your own e-book here is the link https://payhip.com/b/1TBAi

27/04/2026

Sometimes the storm spills out.
And sometimes, it lands on the people we love most.
Rupture happens in relationships. It is part of being human, especially when emotions feel big or hard to hold.

But what matters is what comes next.
Acknowledging the storm, naming what happened, and coming back together can be a powerful step towards repair.

My Mummy’s Inside Weather helps families gently make sense of these moments, using the language of inside weather, rhythms, and seasons.
Because even after the storm, connection can be rebuilt.

Details about the book are in the bio.

25/04/2026

If your mood changes and you’ve ever worried what your child might be thinking…

They might be wondering “Is this because of me?”

They might be trying to make sense of something that feels confusing.

Sometimes what they need most is simple:
“It’s not your fault I’m just having a stormy inside day
and I still love you”.

Interested in knowing more about my new children's book My Mummy’s Inside Weather check out my bio

08/04/2026

I’ll be speaking this Monday with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network as part of the Online PMDD Network.

REGISTER HERE https://mhpn.org.au/members/ #/Meeting/27237

📅 Monday, 13 April 2026
🕕 6:00 PM AEST (90 minutes)
💻 Free online event

This will be the first opportunity to see me present Mummy’s Inside Weather, along with the parent resources developed to support families where a parent is living with a mental illness.
Planning for the Storm: Attachment-Focused Support for Parents with PMDD

In this session, I’ll introduce a children’s picture book and practical resources designed to help parents talk with their children about cyclical mood changes in a way that feels safe and understandable.
Using simple metaphors — sunny days, stormy days, seasons, and rhythms — Mummy’s Inside Weather supports families to build a shared language for emotional experiences.

We’ll also explore attachment-informed ways to:

• plan ahead for harder days
• increase predictability and felt safety
• strengthen co-regulation
• navigate rupture and repair

While the focus is on PMDD, these ideas are relevant for clinicians supporting families where a parent is living with a mental illness.

If you work alongside parents living with a mental illness, or support children and families in your practice, you’re very welcome to join this free event.

29/03/2026

https://youtu.be/vPGPY1Hy26M?si=YzqyvRknnYKU1w27

This video introduces the New Beginnings Integrated Core Needs Framework. This framework was created by Symon Oliveri, Founder of Contigo Child and Family. The Integrated Core Needs approach is an attachment-informed approach for supporting mental health and wellbeing in the perinatal period.

The New Beginnings framework integrates key concepts from:

Circle of Security
Schema Therapy
Attachment Theory

with a shared focus on understanding and responding to core emotional needs.

Using a composite case example, this presentation demonstrates how the framework can be used as a standalone 10 session intervention for perinatal depression.

For more information visit
contigochildandfamily.com.au

Or to book into training https://events.humanitix.com/integrated-core-needs-approach-in-the-perinatal-period

This video introduces the New Beginnings Integrated Core Needs Framework. This framework was created by Symon Oliveri, Founder of Contigo Child and Family. T...