Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) is an evidence-based, 8-week program designed to strengthen the attachment bond between caregivers and children up to age 12. Caregivers:

• Learn new concepts about attachment through videos, handouts, and group discussions.

• Adopt new language to better understand and navigate their relationships.

• Develop skills for building secure attachments with their children.

COSP uses a visual map to help caregivers understand a child’s emotional needs—specifically supporting exploration (top of circle) and providing a safe haven (bottom of circle) to foster security, empathy, and emotional regulation.

You can find out more at the Circle of Security International website.

Attachment theory, pioneered by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, describes a biological safety system designed to keep children close for protection while encouraging confident exploration. It is currently the dominant scientific approach to understanding early social development.

Key Insights from the Research:

• A Lasting Impact: Decades of research prove that consistent, responsive care from attuned caregivers builds a child’s self-esteem, resilience, and ability to form fulfilling relationships throughout their life.

• The Nervous System Connection: When a caregiver is comfortable providing both comfort (closeness) and support for exploration (distance), a child feels neurologically safe.

• The Feedback Loop: If a caregiver struggles with these emotional shifts, a child perceives that discomfort, which can lead to their own feelings of unease or insecurity.

By focusing on this bond, we aren't just managing behaviour; we are supporting the "biological safety system" that allows a child to flourish.

Yes. Every program and framework offered here is grounded in rigorous, evidence-based science that connects relational parenting and teaching with child development.

Our work is underpinned by three core pillars:

Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP): This framework is grounded in over 50 years of Attachment Theory—the dominant scientific framework for understanding early social and emotional development. Circle of Security translates this extensive longitudinal research into practical relational tools, helping parents build the secure foundations children need for long-term emotional resilience. You can explore the clinical evidence and research papers supporting this global framework at the Circle of Security International research page.

Tuning in to Kids: Developed at the University of Melbourne, this program is backed by numerous randomised controlled trials. These studies demonstrate that focusing on "emotion coaching" significantly improves a child’s emotional intelligence and social skills while reducing behavioral challenges and the psychological distress that can arise out of the adult-child relationship. For a comprehensive overview of the trials and outcomes associated with this program, please visit the Tuning in to Kids research page.

Neurobiology & Epigenetics: Our approach is further underpinned by the synergy between intergenerational neurobiology and the field of epigenetics. In The Nurture Revolution (2023), neuroscientist Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum highlights how responsive, "high-nurture" parenting during the first three years and beyond is a biological necessity that physically shapes a child’s brain architecture. The emerging field of epigenetics shows that while genes provide the blueprint, early experiences determine how those genes are expressed. As the Harvard University Center on the Developing Child illustrates, nurturing relationships act as a vital buffer against stress, influencing lifelong health and mental wellbeing.

A common misconception is that a focus on nurture equates to a lack of boundaries; however, from a neurobiological perspective, true nurture is not about indulgence, but about providing the safety a developing nervous system requires. Rather than simply giving children everything they ask for, this approach involves looking beneath behaviors like hitting, shouting, or whinging to identify and address the innate physiological or emotional needs driving them. While this doesn't prevent tantrums or tears entirely, it ensures the adult-child relationship remains intact during these high-stress moments.

By acting as a "bigger, stronger, wiser, and kind" presence—a core tenet of the Circle of Security—the adult provides the essential co-regulation a child needs to experience big emotions without being overwhelmed. This "taking charge" in a kind way allows the child to process their feelings fully within the safety of the relationship, rather than being pushed toward a "happier" exterior for the adult's comfort. The ‘shoes off the bed’ or ‘it’s time to leave the party’ don’t change but the way we help our child navigate the feelings that ensue - changes everything.

Yes. Both Martha McNess and Miriam Hynes are fully accredited Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP) facilitators. You can verify our official international credentials on the Circle of Security International Facilitator Registry.

In addition to our specific program accreditations—including Martha’s qualification as a Tuning in to Kids facilitator—we bring extensive backgrounds in professional education, social work research, leadership, and child wellbeing initiative delivery. This combination of official registry status and decades of practical experience ensures your family or organisation is supported by highly qualified, evidence-based practitioners.

You will work with one dedicated, accredited facilitator throughout the entire eight-week program. We deeply value consistency, as it helps create a safe, trusting, and predictable environment for reflection.

In rare instances—such as facilitator illness or unexpected circumstances—another fully accredited member of our team may step in to facilitate a session. This ensures your program continues seamlessly without disruption to your scheduling or support.

No. To allow you the space to deeply focus, reflect, and engage in conversations—and because we will be directly discussing your relationships with your children—our sessions are an adults-only environment.

We do not provide childcare, so you will need to arrange care for your children during these times.

Depending on how you are participating in the program, our guidelines are as follows:

Group Programs: Children are not able to attend the sessions so that all participants have a quiet, dedicated space to focus.

In-Person 1:1 Sessions: Children are not able to be present in the room during our sessions.

Online 1:1 Sessions: Children are not able to be present in the room or on camera during our live video sessions.

Need flexibility? We understand that every family is different. If you have a unique situation or an infant and require flexibility in order to participate in a 1:1 program, please contact us prior to your session so we can discuss potential options together.

We offer three delivery options for our eight-week program (consisting of one session per week) to suit different schedules, budgets, and learning preferences:

Group Program:$480 total ($60 per session)

Online 1:1 Program: $720 total ($90 per session)

In-Person 1:1 Program: $800 total ($100 per session)

Potentially. We highly recommend checking with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC), NDIS Planner, or Plan Manager before registering to confirm if our programs are covered.

We understand the convenience of having a facilitator come to your home to work through the program with you and are happy to provide this service whenever possible. To ensure we can dedicate the full session time to our work together, we ask that you arrange reliable and accessible parking nearby. This allows our facilitators to arrive promptly and focus entirely on our session without logistical delays.

For more detailed information regarding home visits and parking requirements, please review our In-person 1:1 Logistics, Safety and Policies page.

Yes. Court-ordered parents and carers are very welcome to participate in our Circle of Security Parenting programs. We understand that navigating court requirements can be incredibly stressful, and we are here to support you through the process without judgement.

Because everyone's circumstances and comfort levels are different, we offer both group and one-on-one options. If you prefer a private, highly personalised space to explore the program—or if you feel more comfortable working outside a group environment—our one-on-one sessions are an excellent path forward.

To support your documentation needs, we provide the following at no additional cost:

Certificate of Completion: Issued upon full attendance of all eight sessions (including any pre-arranged make-up sessions).

Attendance Letters: If requested, we are happy to provide an official letter verifying your attendance and participation throughout the program.

Yes, absolutely. In fact, simply having the awareness that you want to do things differently is the powerful first step toward change.

Our programs include a focus on exploring our own "parenting history." Together, we look at how the way we were raised impacts how we respond to our children today—especially during moments of stress or big emotions. By understanding your own experiences, you can consciously choose which traditions to keep and which patterns to gently leave behind.

You don't have to parent the way you were parented. We provide the practical, evidence-based tools and the supportive space you need to build a new foundation of connection and security for your family.