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, inner child, polyvagal applications, therapy, workshops

IFS Healing Circle for Women (new dates added Brisbane, Australia; Oct-Nov, 2023)

aleksandrastaneva

My next offering is a big one! I have secretly been cooking it since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet, I feel as ready as I can, to birth it, so here it is: Please join me for one of a kind 7-week Healing Circle for Women grounded in these deeply nourishing therapeutic modalities: ~ IFS (Internal… Continue reading IFS Healing Circle for Women (new dates added Brisbane, Australia; Oct-Nov, 2023)

good mother myth, IFS, inner child, lived experiences, Mothering, polyvagal applications, research, Self-care, therapy

‘No Trauma Mama’ Perinatal Wellness

aleksandrastaneva

NO TRAUMA MAMA is a Perinatal Wellness Support Bundle I wished I had back when I was embarking on my Motherhood journey! A safe space to share, discuss, brainstorm, feel, sense, cry, process in preparation for your MAMAhood. No Trauma Mama Bundle This is a package of therapy sessions and support for expecting mothers! It's… Continue reading ‘No Trauma Mama’ Perinatal Wellness

polyvagal applications, Self-care, workshops

Loneliness & Moments of connection

aleksandrastaneva

Studies, prior to the pandemic and its peak of loneliness and isolation, have warned us about the detrimental effects of loneliness on our mind and our bodies. Social isolation and loneliness increase our risk of heart attack, stroke, disrupted sleep, altered immune system, higher inflammation and greatly increased stress hormones. When it comes to our… Continue reading Loneliness & Moments of connection

fairy tales, good mother myth, IFS, inner child, lived experiences, Mothering, Self-care, workshops

Online ‘Inner Child’ Masterclass

aleksandrastaneva

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood” Gabor MatéThis is a 3-hour Workshop that explores our Inner World, attachment wounds, and offers a compassionate insight into our past. •Inner Child•Neglect and Abandonment•Selfcare and healing Join me in exploring a beautiful Inuit fairytale through therapeutic storytelling, authentic connection, and safe sharing. --ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR--… Continue reading Online ‘Inner Child’ Masterclass

good mother myth, IFS, lived experiences, Mothering, therapy

On •Self• in Motherhood

aleksandrastaneva

Within the IFS (Internal Family System) framework of therapy (and doing life for me, really) the idea of the Self (with capital S) takes a central stage. It’s our seat of consciousness, our Inner Golden Buddha nature, our endless well of light, our wisest, highest, and truest “I”. 🌀Self is beyond words and definitions however… Continue reading On •Self• in Motherhood

good mother myth, lived experiences, Mothering, research, Self-care, workshops

B!tch hour for mothers!

aleksandrastaneva

Ever felt like there is so much of your Motherhood experience that you wanted to share about yet you never felt safe to do so?!! Always censoring yourself? Always bookending your experience with … “oh but I love it so much” There are tons of reasons why we dread going there in the thick of… Continue reading B!tch hour for mothers!

fairy tales, good mother myth, IFS, inner child, Mothering, Self-care

Inner Child circle

aleksandrastaneva

It’s no secret that the ways in which we were mothered (and parented) affects us for life. We can choose to remain unconscious about it and allow this to continue to impact on our🌻 intimate relationships through attachment wounds🌻 parenting and thus perpetuating the same wounding onto our children and their children too🌻the way we… Continue reading Inner Child circle