The perinatal phase and figuring out your mental health as a parent with Lauren Champion
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor who is trained and specializes in perinatal mental health, Lauren Champion is sharing some VERY practical tools, resources and ideas around how to stay regulated as a parent.
Episode Summary
Here’s a funky little AI generated summary of the episode so you can listen back to sections that really resonated with you:
Motherhood, anxiety, and counseling. 7:50
Lauren shares her personal journey of becoming a mom while completing her Master's degree, struggling with anxiety and eventually finding a passion for supporting others through perinatal mental health counseling.
Lauren wishes she had received more support during her transition to motherhood, highlighting the need for education and resources in this area.
Lauren: Being a parent is the catalyst for my specialization in perinatal mental health.
Andrea: Relatability is key in counseling, especially for new parents, and personal experience matters.
Counseling career path and perinatal mental health. 13:50
Andrea Barr highlights the importance of seeking professional help from registered clinical counselors like Lauren, who have undergone rigorous training and are regulated by their respective provinces.
Lauren shares her experience as a counselor, explaining that it's a rewarding career that involves helping clients navigate their emotions and work through challenges, but also requires empathy, active listening, and cultural sensitivity.
Lauren describes her role as privileged and beautiful, with personal connections and vulnerable moments.
University experiences and motivation. 17:31
Andrea Barr shares her experience of going back to school for counseling, highlighting the difference in motivation and drive between undergrad and graduate studies.
Lauren discusses her own experience of switching from undergrad to master's, noting the increased focus and motivation in her graduate studies.
Maintaining boundaries as a therapist and avoiding burnout. 20:03
Lauren shares strategies for maintaining boundaries while working with clients' heavy emotions.
Lauren prioritizes self-care by setting boundaries and taking breaks to avoid burnout.
Mental health and transformation after childbirth. 23:16
Lauren discusses the concept of "trust ins" and how it relates to mental health in the perinatal space, particularly in terms of expectations and self-care.
Lauren shares personal experiences with feeling overwhelmed and struggling with expectations, highlighting the importance of recognizing and addressing these issues for mental health.
Lauren discusses how motherhood has transformed her, recognizing the positive and negative changes it has brought.
Andrea describes the nervous system as a "giant scanner, surveillance camera" that surveys the body for good and bad things, and how it can feel fried or overwhelmed after giving birth.
Anxiety and nervous system regulation. 29:13
Anxiety is a normal response, but dysregulation can lead to fight or flight responses and stress.
Anxiety can cause parents to become overly vigilant, leading to avoidance of activities and a smaller world.
Self-care and stress management for new moms. 32:30
Lauren emphasizes the importance of self-care and its unique definition for each individual.
Creative solutions for self-care are discussed, such as incorporating children into daily activities or taking small moments for oneself.
Lauren discusses the importance of filling up an emotional reservoir to regulate the nervous system, particularly during heightened moments with children.
Lauren also introduces breathwork as a quick tool to regulate the nervous system in moments of stress or overwhelm.
Lauren discusses breathwork and somatic self-regulation skills for managing anxiety and regulating the nervous system.
Lauren mentions using ice packs, cold cloths, and humming as quick skills to soothe the nervous system.
Breathwork, vagus nerve, and pregnancy. 39:38
Lauren discusses the importance of attending to the vagus nerve for regulating the nervous system, sharing personal experiences with cold water therapy during pregnancy to alleviate nausea and anxiety.
Lauren and Andrea Barr discuss the limitations of old studies on alcohol consumption and the need to prioritize nervous system regulation for overall health in 2023.
Mindfulness and gratitude in daily life. 42:38
Lauren discusses the concept of "glimmers," which are moments of joy or beauty in everyday life that can be noticed and savored.
Andrea shares her experience of intentionally creating moments of mindfulness and gratitude in their daily life, such as taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of a rainbow or a tree.
Finding balance in parenting and mental health. 45:25
Andrea reflects on the balance between capturing memories and enjoying the present moment, recognizing the importance of self-care and finding quiet moments to recharge.
Lauren agrees, highlighting the need to give ourselves permission to disconnect and find joy in the simple things, like movement and connection with others.
Andrea emphasizes the importance of accessibility and reaching out for support when struggling with mental health.
Andrea also acknowledges the potential benefits of support for non-moms, including dads, in their mental health journeys.
Work-life balance as a mom and business owner. 51:02
Lauren discusses the stigma of mental health in men and the importance of seeking help, while also acknowledging the challenges of balancing work and personal life as a mom and business owner.
More About Lauren Champion
Lauren is a caring and approachable counsellor, specializing in Maternal Mental Health. Lauren is passionate about supporting clients throughout their mental health journey. As a mom to two boys ages 3 and 5, Lauren has had her own experience with anxieties, intrusive thoughts, and feelings of being overwhelmed throughout her journey through Matrescence. She knows firsthand how challenging it can be as a mom; with constant expectations, feelings of guilt and being pulled in multiple directions. Lauren strives to create a space of acceptance and empowerment. Her hope is to validate her clients, celebrate their victories and provide concrete strategies to help during life’s difficult moments.
To connect with Lauren Champion click here.
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HOSTED BY ANDREA BARR
Andrea Barr is a certified career coach, strategist, and workshop facilitator. After establishing herself in the advertising sector early in her career, she made a shift to learning and development within the corporate world. As a new mother, she was struck by a lack of support for parents looking to find a balance between their career ambitions and family lives, and decided to fill that gap. Andrea offers support and solutions for parents who want to advance their careers without compromising what matters most: their families.
