Author: aleksandrastaneva

I am a Mother, an academic, and a psychotherapist. My work centers around women's health and women's studies and mental health, particularly maternal perinatal mental health, pregnancy, birth, trauma and postnatal depression; I also work in youth wellbeing and cancer projects; I write books (for children and story-tales for grown ups) because I fully believe that stories carry an enormous transformative power! "Stories are medicine" (C P Estes). I explore human connection, maternal mental issues (ante- and post-natal depression), feminism for boys and girls, fatherhood, gender diverse families and alternative approaches to health and healing. I lead women's groups that explore various concepts around human connection, what it means to be a 21 century woman, and a mother through art, fairy-tales and archetypal work. Both my work and life are grounded in feminism and social activism to progress environmental, anti-stigma and awareness-raising causes. Welcome!
IFS, Mothering, therapy

On Parts Work (IFS, Internal Family Systems)

aleksandrastaneva

When we incorporate Parts Work into our everyday language we can begin to see and experience challenges differently. Instead of: 🖤 “I am such an angry mother” try♥️ “A part of me is feeling very angry towards…”(and listen to all that Angry Part has to show you about your unmet needs) Instead of: 🖤”I feel… Continue reading On Parts Work (IFS, Internal Family Systems)

IFS, therapy

On Soul work and the Feminine

aleksandrastaneva

I see a lot of women in my practice. Mothers on the verge.Transitioning into the unknown of motherhood, alone and unprepared. Or more so, unequipped and wrongly conditioned by a culture of intensive mothering, unattainable standards or push to ‘perform’ motherhood. Daughters filled with rage.Burning anger. Destructive anger.Creative anger. Boredom. Unhappiness. Trauma. Irritability. Disconnection. Loss… Continue reading On Soul work and the Feminine

IFS

Gratitude challenge. Day 22. The Wise Inner Self

aleksandrastaneva

Gratitude Challenge @horocounselling #horogratitude Day 22. The inner core. The Wise Inner Self. It is really hard to be grateful about anything today. Really really hard. My grandfather tested positive for Covid after 2 negative tests. He is now in hospital with complications. My grandma, the apple of his eye, is slowly declining with Alzheimer… Continue reading Gratitude challenge. Day 22. The Wise Inner Self

lived experiences, Mothering, therapy

Perinatal mental health week – what I wish I knew back then…

aleksandrastaneva

Today we wrap up Perinatal Mental Health week here in Australia, and the recognition of the critical care that new mothers and families need during pregnancy and early motherhood. I would argue that this care needs to be stretched from before conception to late/teenage motherhood (the one I find myself in right now). However, let’s… Continue reading Perinatal mental health week – what I wish I knew back then…