BREATHE
BREATHE
Motherhood is complex and most busy, often overwhelmed mothers long for the space and time to stop, pause, think and “just breathe”.
A unique 7-step, 7-session, trauma-informed course, delivered in small groups or one-to-one. BREATHE provides the compassionate, forward-looking framework, which understands the lived experience of mothers at-risk or in the justice system and supports, encourages and empowers each individual woman as she works toward reclaiming her maternal story, face the present & envision her future.
BREATHE was designed by Alabaster Coaching to serve and support mothers from all walks of life, both in and outside of prison, in the community or on probation, as part of a Whole Systems Approach.
Being seen, valued and heard as a mother, no matter her parental status or past mistakes, learning how her strengths and struggles can co-exist with hope, purpose and meaning.
“BREATHE helped me realise that the way we all process emotions are very different because of our experiences and that changes the outcomes of our actions. It has meant that for a moment I decided to dedicate some time to myself to give myself the opportunity to clear my head and improve my mental health.”
Sunnie, mum of one.
Why BREATHE?
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.
Our approach
BREATHE is delivered over seven sessions allowing mothers the space to reflect on their maternal identity. Each participant has their own booklet to help them connect with their story.
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.
The benefits
Our framework is based on research, an evidence-led approach, Trauma Informed Practice, and the voiced needs of mothers.
We seek to evidence our coaching by partnering with the mother from start to finish, explaining how BREATHE works and its process and involving mothers in it by encouraging feedback and ideas, while also evaluating together the difference it has made to their overall wellbeing, thinking, emotions and choices.
Sessions are facilitated by trauma-informed, trained female coaches many of whom are mothers themselves. Independent of the justice, legal or social care system, the coach prioritises creating a safe, warm, non-judgemental and compassionate environment to build trust with the mother or mothers she is working with, in order for them to feel freely able and willing to express their thoughts, emotions and maternal identity, toward exploring and finding solutions from within themselves, which is also shown to result in better and more sustainable outcomes.
We also clarify from the outset whether a mother is ready, willing or able to take part in BREATHE, which again ensures better engagement, commitment and subsequently more effective, positive results.
With essential support and use of sensitive, strategic, tailored questions from the coach, the mother is encouraged to critically reflect, reclaim and reconnect to her maternal story, intuition, insight, voice, choice and autonomy, even when their circumstances may appear not to allow that. Therefore, even if the desired outcomes aren’t achievable, there can still be growth in their worth and identity, and in challenging the shame and stigma that is associated with the label of ‘bad mother’.
By engaging in the BREATHE sessions, at-risk and justice involved mothers can discover how to slow down and breathe again toward envisioning a future that holds potential, purpose and meaning as a mother. And in doing so encourage better mental health, self-worth, compassion and confidence in themselves, facilitating improved relationships.
“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
Become a BREATHE coach
We offer comprehensive in-person & online BREATHE training packages, resources and toolkits taking you and your team to the place where you are ready and able to implement and manage your own BREATHE coaching programme for mothers, whatever your context and wherever you are in the UK or worldwide.
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.