Becoming a mother transformed developmental psychologist and perinatal mental health professional Jessica Carroll’s understanding of the emotional realities of motherhood. Drawing on years of experience supporting mothers and their partners through infertility, pregnancy, postpartum and early parenting – as well as her own transition to motherhood – she saw a need for accessible support that sits outside intensive individual therapy. This inspired her to create Nurturing Haven, an online space offering programs, content and resources to help postpartum mums navigate the pressures of early motherhood, prioritise their own emotional wellbeing and find confidence in doing motherhood their own way. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about turning a long-held dream into reality, challenging outdated expectations of the ‘good mother’ and why mothers’ needs matter too.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
It’s been a niggling dream for a long time, to be honest. I’ve worked as a developmental psychologist for years, starting out in therapeutic work with children and families and later honing my practice niche to perinatal psychology, supporting the mental health of mothers and their partners during infertility, pregnancy, postpartum and early parenting.
I was loving that work (and still do), but then I became a mum myself. Oh wow. To say I was thrown by how deeply that transition impacted me is an understatement. Turns out, motherhood doesn’t care about your previous qualifications or knowledge. When it’s your own baby and you are living inside your postpartum bubble 24/7, it’s a whole new experience. I learnt so much about myself and about societal pressures around motherhood in my first postpartum.
After having a second baby in 2025, I returned to my therapeutic work, but something pulled me towards finally giving my big dream a real shot: to provide motherhood education in a supportive community. To really plug the gaping hole I had noticed in the maternal wellbeing space. The chasm between mothers trying to figure out their transition and emotional adjustment on their own and committing to intensive, expensive, individual therapy. That’s where Nurturing Haven was born. It’s not therapy. It’s online programs, content and resources designed for the everyday postpartum mum who wants to show up authentically in her motherhood. Trust me, I vividly remember how easily I got swallowed up by the expectation noise of early motherhood. I wholeheartedly believe that all mums deserve support to find confidence in their own unique motherhood, rather than neglecting themselves in pursuit of the unrealistic, outdated, mum-shaming template of the ‘good mother’ that we’ve been fed for far too long. Soapbox moment complete, I’ll step down now!
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I still have so much to learn and there is so much growth ahead in my business. I often feel like the smallest fish in the biggest ocean, which I understand now is a common feeling among start-up business owners! I have focused on building connections and community in my first launch phase. These things are so crucial in postpartum for the best outcomes for mums, and I have found the same for this early season of my business. Meeting lots of mums and other aligned professionals has been key to developing my first online program in a way that is organically informed by the mums I am making it for.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Somehow, between my part-time job, chasing after two young kids and my therapy caseload, I developed my signature program, Putting the Mother in Motherhood, and rolled it out with a pilot group of gorgeous local mums. I was blown away by the feedback. And by how lit up I was running it. This was proof to me that I need to keep moving forward in this business, despite all the discomfort that comes with such a steep learning curve! I figure: I grew two babies, birthed them and stayed home with them in postpartum; if I can do that, I can grow this business to what I believe it can be. Because I just cannot ignore the need around me anymore. The need to break away from the tired ideals that move us into extreme self-sacrifice and to empower mothers to respect the woman they are and show their children how to honour their own feelings and needs, leading by example first.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
That’s presuming that I do! It’s impossible to stay perfectly balanced all the time, even with a wonderful husband like mine who works with me as a team. Some days/weeks I am swept up in my work, and sometimes my family need more of me. And that’s OK, I think. I have stopped beating myself up for not having the balance just right all the time. I just focus on what is needed of me that week, in both business and family, and also what I need in order to keep meeting these needs as best I can. I don’t look too far ahead or lean into the black-and-white thinking about whether I have been a ‘good’ mum or business owner that day. Just trying to get the most important stuff right, at least most of the time. That can be enough. Out the door with perfection, I say.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I studied psychology. Not marketing. Not business. Not commerce. So I have had to go back to square one. Back to beginner. And my learner’s permit often feels plain to see when I am trying to navigate social media content and business planning. The imposter noise and self-doubt that have come with this process have been a lot to overcome mentally. But it is all worth it for the work I am doing. To be following my passion is the greatest gift, even when the overwhelm spiral pops up!
The other challenge has been that postpartum mums are (understandably) stretched, so empowering them to put time into their wellbeing is sometimes a hard sell. Doing an online program can initially feel like it would just be adding another thing to an already full plate. But I have been there myself, so I know how to create an offering that has the flexibility a mum in the trenches really needs. Once they carve out this space for themselves, what we do in the program genuinely helps postpartum mums feel less overwhelmed day to day, not more so. And I’ve learned to send more reminders than what feels necessary!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The number one pro, in bright flashing lights, is getting to honour my passion. It makes me a better mum, a better wife, a better psychologist and a better villager. Another pro is that I am progressing towards a more flexible working life so I can be present for my kids. I want to volunteer at their school. I want to catch their concerts and footy games. I want to spend quality time with them where I am all theirs. I truly believe growing this business will get me there.
As for cons, it’s a lot to juggle, especially when you are still learning and you are running the business as just one person. I find myself writing down thoughts or ideas that have popped into my head during the night while I attempt to go back to sleep after resettling my son. It can feel a little consuming. Finding somewhere aesthetically pleasing in my home to film my social media content is also a challenge! I love showing up online as my authentic self, wobbly bits and all, but I live in a bomb site most of the time (two little kids who build cubby houses everywhere), so getting a somewhat clean look for content is tough.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I am a sucker for having too many ideas! I want too many things. It’s something I continue to work on. After a successful pilot run, I am refining my signature program, Putting the Mother in Motherhood, for the next launch in October/November this year. I can’t wait to make it even better for the next group of mums. I am also working on a YouTube channel, which will launch very soon (updates to come on my social media), and I would love to run some events in my local area of Brisbane that support mums to have time away from being needed.
Let’s do motherhood our way, ladies. Because our needs matter too.
Visit the Nurturing Haven website to find out more, and connect with them on Instagram.
