Being a Mother
Workshop

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Being a Mother Workshop

 

Dates      Fees     About Betty      Aims      Features  Testimonials    Information     Weblinks
 

Dates

18th April 2010 (9:30 - 5:30)

15th May 2010 (9:30 - 5:30)

Visit our stand at The Baby Show, 
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, March 5-7, 2010


To register your interest, please click here.

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The Being a Mother workshop shows you the key to managing strong emotions and being happier every single day.

    The Being a Mother workshop is tailored for mums - you feel happier, more confident, and more deeply satisfied.  It helps you to get  the most out of Being a Mother.

As seen in The Melbourne Weekly

The Being a Mother workshop is based on the following ideas:

The clue to calming ourselves down and feeling better is to change our thinking and self talk. Albert Ellis, Psychologist and Founder of REBT

Parents who learn different ways of thinking about themselves and their children have lower levels of anger and guilt. Marie Joyce, Psychologist

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed unless it is faced. James Baldwin

The Being a Mother workshop is for those who want to enjoy more of the day-to-day experiences with children, family and others, and better manage those challenging life events!

"I never thought it would be like this!"

 Have you ever wondered "This is so hard - is this just me or is it really like this?" or "Why do I wake up promising a better day and end up having a miserable day?"

This workshop focuses on the experiences of being a mother. The numerous and complex issues that mothers face in their day to day life are discussed in dynamic, interactive, process orientated and practical sessions. This program has received widespread support and enthusiasm.

Listen to this radio interview about the Being a Mother Workshop

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Fees

Contact Betty for more details. Private psychology appointments are also available via email.

Transfers and Refunds: Whilst refunds are generally not permissible (except under reasonable conditions and mutual consent), transfers are permitted.

 

About Betty

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Betty Chetcuti founded the Being a Mother Workshop in May 2001. Betty qualified from a Masters program as a psychologist and has a private practice specialising in the experiences of mothers. Mother of three children, Betty is dedicated to mothers enjoying more of their experiences.

The lack of recognition of mothers work in today's society prompted Betty to develop this innovative approach to reinforce individual mother's sense of self-acceptance, and make a difference to their lives, and that of their children, family and community.



 

  • Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Honours), La Trobe University, 1984 - 1987

  • Master of Educational Psychology, University of Melbourne, 
    1988 - 1991

  • Member of the Australian Psychological Society

  • Registered with the Psychologist's Registration Board of Victoria

Aims

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The Being a Mother workshop was developed during the early months of 2001 by Betty. She identified the lack of any program like this, and researched past and current literature, plus using her own experience as a mother to develop the framework.

The Being a Mother workshop was pilot tested with a small group of mothers, and is constantly being evaluated to maintain it's high standard.

The first Melbourne  workshop was held in August 2001. Being a Mother workshops are also available interstate, with the first held in Sydney in June 2002.

The workshop comprises the following main components:

  1. To discuss and examine mother's experiences

  2. To discuss the contributing factors to the experience of being a mother

  3. To demonstrate a model for change to manage the negative feelings associated with being a mother, and increase satisfaction and joy within the lives of mothers.

  4. To create ongoing success and "a sense of community for mothers" through participation in follow-up sessions.

The workshop's main focus is to acknowledge and transform the experiences of mothers. However, additionally, the workshop has been designed with a long term vision of making a huge impact on how mothering is perceived and supported.

Features

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The Being a Mother workshop has a range of unique features and benefits. It is not offered anywhere else, and there is no other program like it.

Everyday mother

  • The facilitator is a real life example of how to derive greater pleasure and satisfaction from life with your children. Betty is a mother of three young children, and so, is totally able to relate to the experiences of mums.

  • One of the key reasons for developing this workshop now, versus 'later when there was more time', was that Betty was very clear about the importance of being able to accurately talk from personal experience, and not regard other people's experiences from an academic or theoretical perspective only. Betty shares many of her experiences and successes based on the change model.

Trained psychologist

  • Psychologists' expertise is about human behaviour and experiences. Betty is a trained psychologist at the Masters level with a range of experiences from facilitating personal development workshops for large corporations to working with clients in her private practice. All these life skills are constantly drawn upon to enhance the workshop experience.

  • Betty recognised her skills in her general psychological practice could be of great benefit to ordinary mothers, who are unrecognised as performing the most important job in the world - raising children.

Specialist training

Betty was trained in REBT or Rational Emotive Behaviour Theory by Dr. Michael Bernard (www.youcandoiteducation.com), who worked closely with Dr. Albert Ellis, the founder of REBT (www.rebt.org). Dr. Albert Ellis developed REBT (originally referred to as RET) in 1955, with the main premise that 'it is our thinking about an event, and not the event  per se, that gets us upset'. The change model used in the Being a Mother workshop is based on REBT.

As a psychologist, Betty updates her professional psychological skills and knowledge via regular professional development. 

Practical

  • The main model used in the Being a Mother workshop is very simple to understand and it works! Betty has used this model to transform relationships within her own life, and to develop the Being a Mother workshop. These cases are further discussed during the workshops.

This workshop focuses on imparting vital knowledge and action oriented strategies so participants can deal with the intense emotions of motherhood. This significantly impacts our effectiveness as parents.

Is cohesive, non-linear, and openly discusses the multi-aspects of mother's experiences. It is more than just a discussion of feelings. It cuts across to the core of how we can transform our experiences in a process-oriented and  practical way.

Research based

  • This workshop is more than Betty's ideas on what constitutes an excellent workshop. The ideas and structure of the Being a Mother Workshop are supported by research currently being conducted in the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, and RMIT. Betty constantly seeks professional alliances with experts to promote the importance of work in this area. Betty is also committed to undertaking research into the Being a Mother workshop and is active in seeking collaborative research projects with researchers from local tertiary institutions.

All mothering experiences

The Being a Mother workshop focuses on all aspects of being a mother, not only post natal depression. This workshop deals with all of the three main unpleasant emotional states: angry, anxious/guilty and depressed.

It also focuses on the experience of being a mother which is not acknowledged. This is not another parenting program. The Being a Mother workshop strikes at a more fundamental level, and covers issues such as our expectations and actual experiences of being a mother.

The workshop encourages the sense of community and sharing that was experienced by mothers of generations ago.

Long term support

  • Betty is committed to participants maintaining the benefits realised from the workshop. The follow-up sessions are also designed to be proactive regarding our experiences as mothers and to developing a community of mothers who strive to make a difference in their mothering experiences. 

Additional benefits of the Being a Mother workshop are: 

Sharing of experiences

Hearing other mother's experiences, in addition to voicing their own, has been immensely helpful to participants in the Being a Mother workshop. Validation of the individual's experiences has been a significant outcome, as mothers do not often share the private (and usually benign) concerns they have about every day events with their friends or other support networks.

Time out

  • How often do we, as mothers, get time to sit and think about our most important and challenging role and the numerous issues that confront us in this role? We are even followed to the bathroom…

  • In the paid work arena, we have meetings when issues arise. Yet in the world of being a mother, this idea is not even conceptualized. Only a few minutes of focused attention can generate simple and effective solutions to avoid daily problems recurring. During the Being a Mother workshop this benefit is amplified, as mothers have time out, plus the benefit of hearing their own situations raised by other mothers.

  • In this workshop, you actually get time to think about and ask the questions that have been blocking your experiences as a mother.

Change your stress response

  • Using the change model, participants of the Being a Mother workshop can alter their behaviours by changing their thinking. Participants receive maximum benefit when they are highly motivated and persist in changing their automatic reactions. See Tips and Techniques.

Effective role-modelling for others

"Children are the benefactors of the work we do on ourselves!" Harriet Lerner, The Mother Dance. Most mothers want to be good role models for their children and are worried about the impact of their frustration on their children. As mothers learn how to change their thinking and behaviours, this will be learned by their children.

Strengthening relationships with your children

  • The result of extraordinary role modelling is stronger relationships with our child/ren, and more enjoyment and satisfaction within the family experience. This is achieved when we really attend to our children even when we are busy, when we calm ourselves down from anger, and when we do things with purpose especially when we don't feel like it, eg, getting up to resettle a child at 4 in the morning without being furious about it!

  • These children and parents are better equipped to deal with life's negative events. They are also much more likely to succeed in key areas of their life.

Testimonials

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At follow-up, mothers frequently report being calmer and more accepting of the previously upsetting situations, especially in relation to the original problem they wanted to resolve. This can only be achieved by sheer effort at breaking the habit cycle and identifying the unhealthy attitudes that drive all of us into fits of rage, anxiety, and depression. The achievements listed here are a real testament to these extraordinary women, and I feel extremely proud and am honoured to know such marvellous mothers.

Below is a list of women's experiences...real women telling real stories.

(For participants of the Being a Mother workshop who would like to update their experiences here, email me at Betty

Transformation......Hello Betty, I did not get the chance to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the workshop you ran.  It was truly amazing the transformation between Ruby and myself.  (Juliet, August 2007)

Calm and in control......I can honestly say that things have never been better between {child} and myself. I have really concentrated on keeping myself calm and in control when dealing with her. Whilst she is a difficult child to parent at times it just goes to show that the softer and more level headed I am the better she behaves. {Husband} has been away a lot these past few weeks and we have had a fantastic time together. {Husband} has noticed the difference in her behavior and mine!!!!!!! It does really work on all levels.....Anyway, thank you again for a wonderful workshop. (Sharon March 2007)

Extremely useful......I would rate the overall course as extremely highly useful, so relevant, so important, so meaningful, no matter what your stage or issue re parenting (Andi, Jan 2003)

Comfortable environment.....Betty was an excellent communicator and effectively led/guided the discussion creating a comfortable environment and good flow to the day (Andrea, Jan 2003)

Practical......Extremely practical (Dar, Feb 2003)

Astounded.....I am astounded that so many other mothers feel the same way about things (Christina, Jan 2003)

Real life scenarios.....The real life scenarios brought the theory alive (Kate, November 2002)

Remarkable......Overall usefulness of the course: Very good, when one considers how much material was covered in the one day. Betty was quite remarkable in how much she brought out - lots of energy was put into the session. (Sarah, Nov, 2002) 

Thoroughly enjoyed workshop......I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and am consciously applying the model at home and in other relationships. (Andrea, Nov 2002)

Huge difference......It's amazing. I'm not so stressed after the workshop. It's made a huge difference. What's been really good is that I know I've changed. Thank you for running the course (Irene, May 2002)

Fantastic......Great and fantastic. I feel totally euphoric. (Clare, Dec 2001)

About changing me......I am so glad that it's about changing me versus my son. I feel more love for my son already! (Uma, Oct 2001)

Gained so much......I have gained so much from doing the workshop. I am enjoying being a mother a lot more, and am able to cope a lot better with the demands of my husband and children. (Jo, Feb 2002)

Lifted the fog......You have lifted the fog (Tanya, March 2002)

Feeling quite normal again......I am feeling quite normal again, and am able to cope a lot better with the dramas. (Jo, Feb 2002)

Transformed......I feel transformed! (Felicity, Dec 2001)

Enjoying motherhood......I'm enjoying motherhood a lot more now and my hubby and I are communicating far more effectively. Thanks very much - I'm really glad that I attended the workshop. (Jennie, June 2002)

Truly enjoy motherhood......Extract from letter written to a Radio Program about the Being a Mother Workshop: "Before Christmas I attended a workshop run by a local Psychologist which has changed my life. This program was ' Being a Mother' run by Betty Chetcuti, Hawthorn, Melbourne. I was drawn to Betty's program because it offered a 'model for change' to address the anger, guilt, anxiety and depression that I felt. My journey to mothering twins has been an emotional one and I was struck by my feelings of anger, ambivalence and dissatisfaction. Whilst feeling intense pride in and love for my girls I found the adjustment to motherhood a surprisingly stressful experience combining grief for the loss of my own life and the unrealised expectation of domestic-baby-bliss. I hated myself for being angry with my girls, my husband, myself, other mothers...!The skills I learned through Betty's Being a Mother Workshop have helped me reduce and calm my anger and begin to truly enjoy motherhood...." (Katrina, Dec 2001)

a GREAT holiday break....."Some mums were saying at school what a HORRIBLE holiday they had and the fighting and tears etc. I just remained silent and smiled.... I didn't have a horrible holiday because I was prepared.. I had done the refresher session and it helped me have a GREAT holiday break with my kids.. Cinema B.. Thanks Betty" (Clare, Dec 2001)

Changed my life......"I thought being a mother would be fairly easy after the breastfeeding issue was resolved. Lovely baby that slept all day.. time off work.. mucking around with friends.. possibly a shop and lunch in the city.. How wrong I was!! 6 years and 3 kids later, I knew I wasn't where I wanted to be. I was relatively happy but mega frustrated by stupid everyday things.. not putting shoes on when asked, not listening to me.. not listening to me again and again.. and not understanding why feeding the dog his glasses was not a good idea for the third time. I was coping and felt like a bombshell about to explode. Then I met Betty by accident and she changed my life. I am happy where I am. I accept that all three will not listen all the time. I accept that things are the way they are and I have stopped demanding so much of myself, and therefore of my kids. I am not perfect by any means, but I am a lot closer to where I want to be than where I was before." (Clare, Dec 2001)

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Do you want more information about the Being a Mother workshop? Here is a range of information for mums and professionals in the health and media industry.

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Weblinks

These links point to organizations and programs based on Rational Emotive Behavioural Theory: the philosophical model used in the Being A Mother workshop.

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0407 819 519

Contact Betty

 

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