The Psychology Sisters

We knew motherhood would change our lives. We knew there would be less sleep, more responsibility and a tiny human who suddenly needed us for… well, everything. But nobody really prepared us for how much we would change too. In episode two of Why Did Nobody Tell Me This?, we’re talking about what actually happens to us when we become mothers. To our brains, our bodies, our nervous systems, our identities, our values and the way we experience ourselves. We unpack the incredible changes happening in the maternal brain and why perhaps what we jokingly call “baby brain” is actually something far more sophisticated: a brain reorganising itself around the enormous task of keeping another human alive. Which might explain why you suddenly find yourself lying awake wondering… Is the baby breathing? What was that noise? Is the room too hot? Could they choke on that? We talk about hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts and that feeling of never really being able to switch off and explore how something designed to be incredibly adaptive can also become completely exhausting when our nervous system never gets the message that it’s safe enough to stand down. But the changes aren’t only neurological. We talk about birth, hormones, shifting values, the expectations we carry about the kind of mother we thought we’d be, and the strange experience of looking in the mirror and sometimes not quite recognising the woman looking back. Because motherhood doesn’t just change what you do. It can change what matters to you. What scares you. What you need. How you see the world. And how you see yourself. And maybe one of the hardest parts is that all of this can be happening internally while, from the outside, you look like you’re doing just fine. This episode is about putting language around that transformation. WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME THIS? | LIVE IN BONDI We’re taking the conversations from this series out of your headphones and into a room full of women. 💛 Join us on Friday 23 October at Bondi Beach for Why Did Nobody Tell Me This? LIVE a day of honest conversations, psychology, science, lived experience, incredible experts, connection, beautiful food and plenty of “oh my god, ME TOO” moments. This isn’t a day about how to be a better mum. It’s a day about you, the woman who became one. Part education. Part connection. Part exhale. GET YOUR TICKETS HERE 🎟️⁠ https://events.humanitix.com/why-did-nobody-tell-me-this?_gl=1*1nbtr3x*_gcl_au*MTIwMjU2MjU5MS4xNzg3MzYxNzU2*_ga*MTk3MDQ3ODEyMC4xNzg3MzYxNzU3*_ga_LHKW5FR9N6*czE3ODc2NDA4NDUkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODc2NDA4NTMkajUyJGwwJGgw You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

We’re back! And this time, we have a whole series dedicated to peeling back the curtain on motherhood. This isn’t a “how to raise children” series. It’s a series about what happens to the woman raising them. The things that change in our brains, our bodies, our relationships, our friendships, our identities and our sense of self. The things we weren’t prepared for. The things we thought were only happening to us. And the things that left us asking… Why did nobody tell me this? we’re starting with the question that inspired the whole thing: why are there so many parts of becoming a mother that nobody really prepares us for? We talk about matrescence: the enormous physical, psychological and identity shift that happens when we become mothers. We unpack some of the expectations we unknowingly carry about what a “good mother” should look like, and why so much of what we’ve normalised about motherhood might not actually be very normal at all. We talk about the gap between how motherhood can look from the outside and how it can feel on the inside. About being told you’re “brave” and “strong” while internally feeling anything but. About having all the support, knowledge and tools in the world and still finding motherhood hard . Kat shares a beautiful reflection on learning to respect Lilah’s pace and realising she needed to offer herself that same permission to stop expecting her own journey through motherhood to be linear and honour the season she was actually in. We also ask whether being “maternal” is something we instinctively become, or a skill we learn over time. And we talk about perhaps the strangest part of all: motherhood is full of contradictions. You can feel desperately lonely while never getting a moment alone. Need a break and miss them the second you get one. Want parts of your old life back while knowing you wouldn’t trade this one for anything. Plus, wet nappies, downloading sleep, hypothetical backflips and quite possibly the worst piece of breastfeeding advice we’ve ever heard. This is the beginning of a series about the things that happen to us when we become mothers. The things we wish someone had told us. 🎙️ Why Did Nobody Tell Me This? You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back psycho sista's and mista's!! It's our first episode of 2026 and our last episode for a little while. We’re pressing pause on a chapter that has meant more to us than words can capture. From vulnerable conversations and shared laughter, to deep reflections on healing, growth, and what it means to be human ....this podcast has been shaped by you. Our listeners, our community, and everyone who has walked alongside us on this journey. In this episode, we reflect on where it all began, what it’s taught us, and how it’s changed us both professionally and personally. We share our gratitude for every message, every story entrusted to us, and every moment of connection that reminded us why this work matters. This isn’t a goodbye forever. It’s a “see you later.” A pause. A breath between chapters. Thank you for holding space with us. Thank you for growing with us. Thank you for making The Psychology Sisters what it has been. With so much love and appreciation, Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Our last poddy of 2025. As the year draws to a close, we’re slowing things down and reflecting, not with pressure, resolutions, or tidy endings, but with honesty, tenderness, and care. In this episode, we talk about what 2025 has asked of us, what we’re proud of, and what we’re gently leaving behind as we step into a new year. We share what this year has taught us about ourselves, the moments that shaped us, and the quiet wins that no one else saw. We also speak directly to anyone feeling lost this Christmas, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to “begin again” when the world seems to expect celebration. This conversation is trauma-informed, nervous-system aware, and rooted in permission rather than performance. This episode is an invitation to reflect without self-judgement, to honour the year you’ve had and to celebrate the invisible wins. Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Are we genuinely getting better at setting boundaries… or are we using the language of boundaries to avoid discomfort, depth, and accountability? In this episode, we dive into the cultural shift happening inside modern friendships where self-protection is celebrated, but sometimes at the cost of connection. We explore why “inconvenience is the cost of community,” how our capacity to tolerate discomfort shapes intimacy, and the subtle ways avoidance can disguise itself as empowerment. From attachment patterns to conflict avoidance, burnout to hyper-individualism, we unpack the psychology behind why friendships feel harder to maintain than ever. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re honouring your needs or simply opting out of relational stretch… this conversation will meet you right in that tension. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Howdy psychology gang! Welcome back to a deep dive. Estrangement is one of the most painful and least understood experiences we can go through. It’s a loss without a funeral, a grief that doesn’t receive casseroles, community support, or cultural acknowledgement. In this deep dive, we unpack the complex psychology of estrangement through an attachment, trauma and psychodynamic lens. We explore: What ambiguous grief really feels like Parent–child estrangement The shame, silence and stigma that surround family cut-offs How projections, defences and unresolved trauma shape these ruptures The difference between protection, boundaries, and emotional avoidance The inner conflict of choosing to walk away or being the one left behind This episode is a compassionate look at the grief of loving someone you can no longer reach, and the courage it takes to choose safety, repair, or distance. Whether you’re navigating estrangement yourself or supporting someone who is, we hope this conversation helps you feel seen, grounded, and a little less alone. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to The Psychology Sisters! In our October unfiltered episode, Kat recaps her trip of a lifetime swimming with humpback whales in Tonga and a humbling pit! Aimee shares her half marathon run for DIPG raising money for children with rare cancer. Our loves and leaves are as follows: Love: Pistachio spread from Coles, Haigs chocolate pistachio balls and Fat bear week. Kat also recommends line dancing!! Leave: The summer I turned pretty and feeling cringe/ embarrassed. October is Mental Health Month and this year’s theme is “Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey.” It’s all about the small, meaningful ways we can move toward better mental health — not in a perfect way, but in a real, human way. And it’s also BPD Awareness Week from October 1st to 7th a really important time to remember that people living with Borderline Personality Disorder are not “too much,” “too complex,” or “too hard.” Recovery is absolutely possible with the right understanding and support and that message really ties into what we wanted to explore today. This episode’s a bit of an unfiltered check-in for all of us as we head into the last few months of the year. We’ll be chatting about two big things: 1.End-of-year burnout: why it sneaks up on us, and how we can start taking steps now to prevent it. 2.Trauma bonding: what it actually is, what it isn’t, and how to recognise it. So if you’re feeling a bit over it, tired, or emotionally stretched, this one’s for you. Think of it as a gentle reset and a reminder that small steps really do matter on your wellbeing journey. Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to The Psychology Mama’s Today, we’re diving into something that so many mothers quietly carry, the kind of exhaustion that sleep doesn’t fix. The kind that seeps into your bones and makes you feel like you’re disappearing inside the love you’re giving. We’re talking about burnout in motherhood what happens when the endless giving, caring, and emotional holding start to empty you out. And here’s the truth: it’s not because you’re not resilient enough, or grateful enough, or organised enough. It’s because you’re human, living in a world that doesn’t hold mothers the way mothers hold everyone else. We’ll explore what burnout actually is, how it’s different from postnatal depression and why it’s not something you can fix with more “self-care.” Because burnout isn’t just about stress, it’s about disconnection. Disconnection from support, from rest, and often, from your own sense of self. So if you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I love my child so much, why do I still feel so flat, so depleted, so alone?” This episode is for you. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to The Psychology Sisters unfiltered, where we chat all things being human, with a mix of clinical insight, real talk, and a few chaotic tangents. We share our loves and leaves, pits and peeks and everything in between for the week that has been! Aimz is loving a lot lately with: A journal called "Dad, I want to hear your story" I got this from big W!! It’s 300 thought-provoking questions and prompts designed to draw out your father's stories to encourage your dad to share and preserve his life story. And running shorts from lulu lemon - Translucent 2-in-1 High-Rise Short 3" Leave: I want to leave behind the narrative that my body must look a certain way to deserve certain clothes. The belief that certain body types qualify certain clothes. Kat is leaving behind winter! Kat is loving the podcast hosted by Georgia Love "Everyone has an Ex" which has prompted our first conversation for this episode!! In today’s episode, we’re exploring what our past relationships have taught us and how powerful reflecting on your ex’s can be! And finally, we unpack the tiktoker who shared her story of how she fell inlove with her psychiatrist!! You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Howdy friends! Welcome back for another deep dive. We will be discussing the lesser known attachment style today, around 5% of people have a disorganised attachment. A disorganised attachment is an adaptation that stems from childhood trauma, it’s like having a compass that points north and south at the same time. Every step toward love feels like danger, and every step away feels like loss. This attachment style begins in childhood, where love and fear are tangled together, when the caregiver we run to for safety is also the one we fear and at times even hurts us. As adults, this can leave us caught in a painful push–pull: craving closeness yet retreating when it arrives. In this episode, we’re exploring disorganised attachment tracing its roots in early relationships, understanding how it shows up in our adult lives, and sharing practical insights to begin orientating back to security. Because even when our compass feels broken, there is a path back to safety, trust, and connection. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to an unfiltered episode!! Research shows the absence of quality relationships kills us faster than obesity and lack of exercise and the single biggest predictor of teenage mental health is family breakdown...... Sooo we're coming in hot with our top 3 relationship teachings! BUT FIRST! Strap in for our pit and peeks, loves and leaves and an old school dog poo repartee. Apologies and you're welcome. Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to a Psychology Mama's episode!! – What is Secure Attachment? A securely attached child is free to explore the environment, confident that the caregiver will be available and responsive if needed. Secure attachment is not about being perfect; it’s about being present, attuned, and repairing when things go wrong Attachment is a basis for a child’s health. Nourishing close secure attachment with adults is a protective factor for our child’s health and well-being and a developmental basis for child development. A secure attachment allows our children to be their full expression of self and explore the world with confidence, because they have a safe enough base to return to. – The Core Ingredients Emotional attunement: reading and responding to your child’s cues. Consistency: being reliable without being perfect. Presence and quality Vs quantity Safe exploration: balancing independence and protection. Repair after rupture: modelling how to come back together after conflict. – Practical Tips what supports security? Simple rituals that build connection. Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Hello and welcome back to The Psychology Sisters Unfiltered!! Love and leaves Love – Carmen’s black truffle popcorn Leaves Dyson vacuums Aimee's peek: time with family and friends lately and pit: experiencing social awkwardness and anxiety, which is very new and uncharted waters to navigate. In a clunky stage of life at the moment!! Also, illness has plagued me! Kat's pit: slapped in the face with sneaky burn out that crept up. Struggling with motivation, exhaustion, struggling to show up for work and life and not prepared for the busyness of work. Doing a lot of inner work to let go of perfectionism and high expectations. Peek: giving myself permission to not please, to honour the parts of me that need aloneness and disconnection to fill my cup. It has been healing to let go and disconnect. In celebration of our 5 year business anniversary, we are sharing Our top business lessons! 1. Communication is key and own your mistakes. Accountability is leadership. Owning your mistakes doesn’t make you less professional, it makes you trustworthy. It signals to your clients, your team, and your community that you’re human, that you care, and that you’re willing to do better. The truth is, your clients, and your community feel safer around someone who can own their impact. Being direct, firm, assertive and honest in communication. Being able to trust and rely on other people to hand over control. Reliability is SO important. 2. People will judge you - do it anyway! The simple truth is that people will judge you, however, when we are led by fear of judgement we restrict our own growth and prevent ourselves from taking opportunities. The purpose is not to be universally liked, it's to take the opportunity whether you're liked or not. You take back your power when you stop trying to please everyone and connect to vulnerability. 3.Time is your greatest commodity and resource, protect it! Your time is sacred, audit your calendar like your life depends on it. Giving away your time without intention is like stealing from your own business. Boundaries are a practice of self-respect. If you want to go fast go alone - if you want to go far, go together The health of our business depends on the health of our friendship, it's hard to separate but leaning into our very different strengths and working to our strengths is helpful. Going into business together has been our smartest investment to date. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Love me, but from over there - The Avoidant attachment style I want to send out a hopeful message to everyone listening – you have secure attachment in your system biologically. It’s in your system and your system wants to be connected, that’s what it’s wired for. It’s that throughout development stuff get’s dumped on your system, which interrupts this. Wounds, attachment injuries, trauma disconnects us and our system wants us to return to security. People use different language for attachment style which can be confusing so, were going to refer to the avoidant attachment style today – can also be referred to as the dismissive avoidant, insecure, fearful avoidant etc. How it develops The avoidant attachment develops through absenteeism – it’s a message of “nobodies there”. Think of a vacant, dissociated parent – a child might be trying to find their parents eyes staring at them and there’s nobody home! Which is scary for infants who are 100% dependant on their parents! I also want to add that sometimes it’s not just the parenting of the child – sometimes it’s a medical procedure or an illness, maybe there was birth trauma or the parent is unwell – different factors can come in here. Any parents listening please take the burden to be perfect off your shoulders, we only need 30% attunement for secure attachment and it is a very forgiving system. Another way it can show up is when only left-brain activities are responded to – so whenever there is a learning of a skill, or an achievement in some way they were there, but whenever it was emotional or there was a need for comforting, they weren’t available enough. So, what this means is there sense of self is largely felt as isolated and they tend to regulate through dissociative mechanisms like zoning out to Netflix because they have a knee – jerk reaction to withdraw and a stress on connection. If you’re an avoidant you need time to surface to connection – it’s like you’ve been deep deep diving in the ocean and if you come up too quick you get the bends, so when I’m working with couples sometimes I’ll ask how much time they need to re-surface or what helps them come up slowly, because it’s hard to go from deep deep isolation to connection. Avoidance is a deep withdrawal that has helped them survive – it doesn’t mean they want to be alone. And often when an avoidant starts to connect to the longing of connection, it’s incredibly painful, that’s also our secure attachment surfacing! How to move towards security? Experiment with low-risk situations of connection because in order for avoidants to orientate towards security, you’re moving from isolation to shared experience and regulating through connection – which is stressful for an avoidant. The repair for the avoidant is to feel that connection is safe enough to have. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to The Psychology Mama’s — the podcast that holds space for your full emotional spectrum and cheers you on when you finally drink a coffee while it’s still hot. Today, we’re diving into one of the most universal yet wildly under-discussed parts of early parenthood: sleep deprivation — or more accurately, the full-blown nervous system crisis that comes from being woken up every 90 minutes by a tiny dictator in a Bonds onesie. We’re talking about how a lack of sleep messes with your brain, your emotions, your sense of self, and sometimes your sanity. We’ll also unpack the mental load of new parenthood — the identity shifts, the rage-crying, the pressure to enjoy every moment while hallucinating from exhaustion. And of course, we’ll wade into the murky, guilt-soaked waters of the sleep training industry — the conflicting research, the polarising opinions, and why it can feel like everyone’s an expert except the person actually doing the 3am rocking. This one’s for the parents, the therapists supporting them, and anyone wondering why “just sleep when the baby sleeps” might be the most unhelpful advice of all time. So, grab a snack, lie down if you can, and let’s get into it. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Welcome back to The Psychology Sisters unfiltered, where we chat all things being human, with a mix of clinical insight, real talk, and a few chaotic tangents. In today’s episode, we’re exploring something that feels especially needed right now: softness. What does it mean to go soft in a world that’s constantly asking us to toughen up, keep going, and stay informed, even when it all feels like a lot? We start with what it means to feel alive, not just functioning, but actually alive in your body, your joy, and your presence. Then we dive into the weirdness of the current world climate — from global conflict to digital burnout — and how to look after yourself without disconnecting entirely. And finally, we unpack the Soft Girl Era, not as an aesthetic, but as a nervous system rebellion. Resting, feeling, slowing down, and saying no? That’s the real power move. So, if you’ve been feeling flat, frantic, or just deeply tired — this one’s for you. Aimee + Kat You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

In today’s episode we are diving deep into the ambivalent attachment style, where it comes from, how it shows up in your relationships and how you can start rewiring it. If you often feel like you’re too much and not enough or constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop in relationships, this one is for you. Understanding Attachment: o Attachment is a biological system, its innate. o Attachment is developed within relationships o People with adverse childhood experiences, experience higher levels or incidences of insecure/anxious attachment. o Internal working models (blueprint)- patterns of relating are internalised = how we relate to others. We have a pro-social system – our system wants to return to secure attachment so it’s possible for everyone. Attachment styles are designed to; maximise available care provided by the caregiver and limit the level of distress. We dive into the following: The Ambivalant Attachment Style develops when there is inconsistency in the way the caregiver responds to the child. The Fear of Being Left •How it shows up in adult relationships •The loop: fear > control > guilt > shame Rewiring & Repair Nervous system!!! -Corrective experience of being present with love and connection -Secure attachment rituals – e.g. before bed connection and rituals because that can be a separation too. Greetings!! Our systems are delicate and responsive and that’s a strength too -Learn how to make requests in a positive way (no shame/blame) -The story I’m telling myself about being unloveable -Notice caring behaviours without deflection Let us know if you'd like more attachment episodes!! You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

hello psychology sistas and mistas!! Welcome back to another unfiltered episode! Kat's pit was forgetting to press record on the first episode we recorded!! Her Peek is taking herself out on dates and having treats with herself, savouring being in her own company and loving time with herself. Aimee's pit was also being a tech tragic! Aimee share's her LOVE for the week is Siren's on Netflix and organising her phone notifications so she is less interrupted and more focused. Is it OK to track my partner’s phone? Care vs. control When it might feel justifiable The emotional cost of surveillance Trust Tech, boundaries, and healthy communication Catch-up friends A reflection on how friendships today are often built on updates instead of shared moments — and how that shapes connection, loneliness, and meaning. Why is it easier to catch up than to connect? The role of effort and planning in adult friendships What would it look like to make “new memories” this week? We hope you love this episode!! Aimee + Kat x You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

hello lovely listeners!! Welcome back to another unhinged/ unfiltered episode! Loves and leaves: Kat's love this week is a fun, easy, watch on Netflix - Ransom Canyon. Aimee has been loving going back to comfort consumption in Grey's anatomy on Disney+. No leaves this week, just love!! Pit and Peak of the week: Aimee discusses being in the tension of trade offs of getting the things you choose. Being in a transition stage can be tricky because it requires re-prioritising things. The reality of this can feel like restriction or a loss of agency - even though you chose it. Aimee reflects on struggling with a loss of agency and choice in this new stage of life and sitting in the trade off of juggling it all. Aimee also discusses working on practicing asking for help and the relationships blossoming as a result. Kat has a toilet blunder with some unfortunate toilet events. In this episode we discuss: Red pill men - emotional intelligence is the new dating currency? Red Pill men are individuals who embrace a philosophy that emphasises self-reliance, emotional detachment, and a belief in gender dynamics shaped by evolutionary psychology, often focused on avoiding vulnerability and maximising personal power in relationships. •These men may struggle with deep emotional connection. •They protect their independence so fiercely that true intimacy feels unsafe or emasculating. Red Pill is a reaction to wounded Attachment The miserable parents Vs happy single narrative: •Societal Expectations: From childhood, many people are socially conditioned to view marriage and parenthood as the ultimate goal. •Narrative Shift: Media often portrays parents, especially mothers, as overwhelmed or struggling. This reinforces the idea that parenthood is exhausting and fulfilling only through sacrifice. •Social Media and Idealisation: Social media plays a huge role in perpetuating the miserable parent vs. happy single dichotomy. •The Grass is Greener Fallacy: Comparing your life to an idealised version of someone else’s is a form of social comparison. The Truth: It’s About Personal Fit: Both parents and singles can experience profound satisfaction and stress. The key is recognising that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to happiness. You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.

Hellooooooooooo and welcome back to a psychology mama's episode! If you grew up in the ’90s or early 2000s, you probably remember it well — low-rise jeans, calorie-counting, and the constant message that thinness equaled beauty, success, and self-worth. Many of us internalised those messages before we even understood them. We learned to shrink ourselves — literally and figuratively — to fit into a version of ‘enough’ that was never really about health or happiness. Now, as adults — and for some of us, as parents — we’re starting to unlearn it. We’re beginning to ask: What if our bodies were never the problem? What if we could break the cycle, not just for ourselves but for the next generation? Thinness was never the real goal — it was approval, love, and belonging. I don’t want my child to grow up believing that her body is a problem to be solved. In this episode, we’re diving into toxic body culture, the lingering effects of diet culture, the rise of the ‘almond mom,’ and what it really means to raise children — and ourselves — in a world that still hasn’t made peace with body diversity. I’m not just raising a child. I’m re-raising myself. This is personal, powerful, and deeply necessary. Let’s talk about it.” You can find more of us here: Our Online Psychology practice: Did you know we have online appointments available with our amazing therapists Lisa or Maddie. Learn more here https://thepsychcollaborative.com.au The Thriving Therapists: To connect with a safe and supportive community of like-minded therapists, head to our Thriving Therapists Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/224252457083630/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Or find us on our Instagram: https://instagram.com/thethrivingtherapists?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== The Psychology Sisters Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychologysisters/?hl=en The Psych Collaborative instagram https://www.instagram.com/thepsychcollaborative/?hl=en Please note: this episode is for informational purposes only and does not replace personalised psychological advice.