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Gentle Parenting and Boundaries | Insights from a Trauma Specialist
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Welcome to Episode 17 of Touched Out! A Mental Health and Parenting Podcast.
Today, we unravel the delicate balance of gentle parenting and setting boundaries with our special guest, Mark, a clinical psychotherapist and trauma specialist from Montreal, Canada.
Mark's Background and Career
Mark's upbringing and personal experiences have profoundly influenced his approach to parenting. Overcoming his own substance abuse struggles and being diagnosed with drug-induced paranoia, Mark began his career by aiding traumatized youth. These experiences have shaped his work as a psychotherapist and his parenting philosophy.
A Heartwarming Love Story
Discover the heartwarming story of how Mark met his wife, Kara. Together, they navigated the complexities of mental health during pregnancies and births, strengthening their bond and shaping their parenting journey.
Balancing Work and Family Life
Mark shares the challenges he faced upon returning to work as a therapist while balancing the innocence of his son and the harrowing experiences of his clients. He offers personal insights into the delicate balance of being both a parent and a professional.
Raising Kind and Assertive Children
Mark's main goal as a parent is to raise a child who embodies kindness, assertiveness, and engagement while understanding the significance of boundaries. He emphasizes the importance of these values in fostering a healthy and respectful relationship with children.
Debunking Misunderstandings About Gentle Parenting
In an enlightening discussion, Mark and I debunk societal misunderstandings surrounding gentle parenting. We shed light on effective parenting strategies that incorporate gentleness and boundary-setting.
Join the Conversation
Thank you for joining me and Mark on this episode. We hope you enjoyed the discussion and gained valuable insights into the delicate balance of gentle parenting and setting boundaries.
Thanks for listening to Touched Out: A Mental Health and Parenting Support Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a rating and review. Your support helps others discover their new favorite parenting and mental health podcast.
Connect with Us:
Drop a comment on Spotify if you have any questions or thoughts. You can also visit The Touched Out Website to leave a voice message or contact me via email. If you are interested in being a guest on Touched Out you can access the guest form HERE
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Theme music written and performed by Ben Drysdale ©2025: www.bendrysdalemusic.com
Chapters
1. Working with Traumatized Youth (00:00:00)
2. Guest's Personal Mental Health Journey (00:08:22)
3. Meeting the Wife and Starting a Family (00:14:32)
4. Challenges of Pregnancy and Birth (00:16:52)
5. Impact of Work on Mental Health (00:19:38)
6. Challenges of Parenthood and Self-Care (00:23:47)
7. Importance of Emotional Availability in Parenting (00:27:33)
8. Embracing Failure and Challenging Unrealistic Expectations (00:29:50)
9. The Influence of Personal Experiences on Supportive Parenting (00:31:26)
10. Gentle Parenting: Setting Boundaries and Teaching Emotional Intelligence (00:38:57)
11. The Importance of Flexibility, Self-Awareness, and Balance in Parenting (00:45:24)
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