Our Approach
BREATHE is the only coaching model that integrates an understanding of trauma informed practice into its process, which is vital to the wellbeing and safety of the mother. Addressing the issues at-risk and justice -involved mothers face directly, BREATHE offers additional supporting structures within a person centred and therapeutic narrative coaching framework. It does this by considering the unique and complex challenges and emotions these mothers are navigating such as stigma, grief, shame, powerlessness, oppression and invisibility.
Designed as a client-led, forward-looking, matricentric 7-step coaching service, BREATHE also allows mothers an opportunity to change the narrative, re-framing and better understanding their story, recognising that each woman’s experience is individual and unique to them and addresses this without ignoring their reality. It also acknowledges that as part of engaging in the model, there can still be growth in the mother’s worth and identity, in challenging the shame and stigma that is associated with the label of ‘bad mother’, and this can result in better mental health, self-worth, esteem and confidence.
The concept of ‘matricentric feminism’ was developed by O’Reilly in 2019 as ‘empowered mothering’ and to recognise the central role of mothering in a woman’s life and her sense of self-identity and esteem. The word breathe also underlines the fact that overwhelmed and anxious mothers battle with crowded thoughts, complex maternal emotions and a lack of time and space to process these, their maternal identity and their personal goals in order to find clarity, a sense of purpose, meaning and peace for the future no matter their current reality, toward a better understanding of themselves, their children, family and others.
BREATHE
B - Believe
That as a mother you still have influence, choice and agency over your own life and can find purpose and meaning.
R - Reflect
On the mother’s identity and motivation for change, critical connection to her story and narrative.
E - Express
Yourself as a mother, expectations, past choices, challenges, barriers, feelings and thoughts.
A - Acknowledge
Name, analyse and challenge the personal, societal, legal and practical obstacles, challenges and barriers.
T - Take
Ownership of their maternal identity or choice, consider what steps and resources the mother has within the scope of her control, encourage maternal activism.
H - Hold
The safe space for deeper maternal insights, emotions, self-learning, a-ha moments, ideas and creativity.
E - Evaluate
Evaluate, validate, celebrate & review.
Achieving empowered mothering requires critical consciousness/ reflection of a woman’s authentic self and her maternal identity, the seven steps and sessions of BREATHE’s coaching service offers the safe, compassionate space to do this, or learn to do this, leading to more effective mothers, healthier women who are more productive, confident, connected to themselves and others, which also benefits families and society at large.
BREATHE’s INTENTION is hope and healing for at-risk and justice involved mothers. It’s PURPOSE is to facilitate a woman’s self-exploration and learning through a matricentric and trauma informed framework and support them in recognising and utilising their maternal identity as a motivation for growth and better self understanding and compassion. With an intended OUTCOME that it will encourage mothers in making better choices for themselves toward a more positive future for themselves and for their families.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Andi Russell through her BREATHE coaching programme with the justice-experienced mums we support at Junction 42. Andi demonstrated a high level of expertise and a thoughtful, trauma-informed approach. She created a safe and nurturing environment where the women felt heard, respected, and empowered. Andi’s professionalism, authenticity, and ability to connect meaningfully with individuals facing significant challenges were evident throughout her sessions. She is an asset to any organisation she partners with.”
Bex Roberts, Head of Women’s Services, Junction 42
INTERWEAVING THEORY, EVIDENCE AND PRACTICE FOR GREATER IMPACT
Feminist thinking believes that the coaching industry was born out of a one-dimensional, flat and patriarchal analysis and understanding of people’s backgrounds and lived experiences.
BREATHE addresses this as it offers additional supporting structures to these pillars by solely concentrating and incorporating knowledge of one particular identity and the unique and complex challenges that at-risk mothers or justice-involved mothers are navigating such as complex emotions including maternal grief, powerlessness, oppression and invisibility.
KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS revealed that mothers at risk or in the justice system seek increased collaboration, choice, connection & autonomy and that motherhood offers them both strength and motivation for transformation. Lacking in the justice system however, are the safe, compassionate, authentic, reflective spaces to explore their maternal identity and decision-making guided by their nurturing role.