Overview

Perinatal mental health professionals work within complex relational and systemic contexts. The broader cultural narratives shaping motherhood are deeply embedded in this landscape and can influence both client experiences and professional practice in ways that aren’t always immediately visible.

This presentation introduces a sociological framework for understanding the Perfect Mother Myth - the cultural ideal of intensive, self-sacrificial motherhood - and explores how it impacts not only mothers, but also the professionals who support them.

Drawing on the field of Motherhood Studies, Dr. Sophie Brock will:

• Introduce the social construction of patriarchal motherhood Explore the health and psychological consequences of internalising intensive mothering ideals.
• Examine how these ideals can “leak” into professional identity, amplifying burnout, self-judgement, and the pressure to model perfection.
• Consider the compounded impact for practitioners navigating race, class, and other structural inequities Offer a brief guided reflection tool to support professional reflexive practice.

Participants will leave with a contextualised lens for understanding mothers' experiences, and practical questions to integrate into supervision, self-reflection, and clinical work.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

• Describe the social construction of motherhood and the “Perfect Mother Myth”.
• Identify how internalised cultural expectations of motherhood may contribute to anxiety, shame, burnout, and professional strain.
• Recognise ways the Perfect Mother Myth can “leak” into professional identity and clinical practice.
• Apply a brief reflexive framework to examine their own internalised scripts and patterns.
• Integrate a contextual, systems-informed lens into perinatal mental health practice.

Presenter(s)

Dr. Sophie Brock

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Sophie Brock is a Motherhood Studies Sociologist and Mother who offers education and training on the sociology of motherhood and how society shapes mothers' experiences. Covering topics and concepts such as the perfect mother myth, the care/career conundrum, the anger-guilt trap and more, Sophie’s work aims to change the cultural construction of motherhood, to create a world where Mothers feel empowered, supported, and valued. Sophie hosts The Good Enough Mother podcast, provides mentoring to mother-supporting practitioners and business owners, and runs a professional development online training: The Motherhood Studies Certification.

Notes

Registration includes 50-minute live webinar presentation 10-minute facilitated Q&A. Brief guided reflection exercise for professional integration.

Target Audience

This event is aimed at Psychologists working in perinatal and maternal mental health, clinical and counselling psychologists supporting parents, mental health professionals working with mothers and families, and supervisors and practitioners seeking a systemic lens.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such asZoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event recording and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

Cancellations by Event Registrants

• Up to 28 days prior to the event you are registered to attend will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations 27-15 days prior will receive a 50% refund.
• Cancellations received 14 days or less prior to the event will not be refunded, other than for 'exceptional, unforeseeable circumstances', however, you may nominate someone to attend in your place.
• Registrations are not transferable between events.
• All cancellations must be provided in writing to the event organiser

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.