TERM 4 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Circle of Security Parenting Group Melbourne
An 8-week online parenting program on how to make sense of your child's behaviour, build a secure parent-child relationship and navigate parenting with greater confidence.
For parents and carers of children aged 6 months - 12 years.
Parenting has a way of making even the most capable person doubt themselves.
There’s an endless stream of advice, opinions and, honestly, judgement about what “good parenting” is supposed to look like.
It’s no wonder so many parents find themselves overwhelmed, second-guessing their instincts and wondering whether they’re making mistakes that will somehow shape their child forever.
Circle of Security Parenting isn’t about becoming a “perfect” parent.
It’s about helping you slow down, understand what’s happening beneath your child’s behaviour and respond in a way that’s guided by what your child needs—not by fear of getting it wrong.
What is the Circle of Security Parenting Program?
The internationally recognised Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) program is a structured parenting program built around decades of research about secure parent-child relationships.
Across eight weekly 90-minute sessions, we’ll use the Circle of Security model to explore what children need from their caregivers, how they communicate those needs and what can get in the way of responding to your child in the way you’d like.
What the program covers
The program follows the internationally recognised Circle of Security Parenting curriculum. Over eight weeks, we’ll explore how to:
- recognise what your child’s behaviour might be communicating
- feel more confident picking up their cues
- understand when they need support to explore and when they need connection and comfort
- notice the situations that tend to trigger something in you
- regulate your own responses when parenting gets hard
- understand how your own experiences of being parented can show up in the way you parent
- navigate moments when connection goes off track and find your way back to each other
The details
8 weeks
One 90-minute session each week
Online via Zoom
Join from home
Closed group
You’ll move through all eight weeks with the same group of parents
For parents & carers
With children aged 6 months–12 years
Investment: $800
$400 secures your place + $400 due at Week 5
Medicare rebates may be available
If you’re eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan and have a referral for group sessions, you may be able to claim a rebate for each session you attend. Rebates are also dependent on group size, so I’ll confirm what applies before the group starts
Parenting is personal.
So why do this in a group?
In a world that tells you all the things you “should” do as a parent, it can feel confronting to admit you’re not always sure what your child needs.
While every family’s story is different, many parents carry very similar worries.
Learning alongside other parents allows you to hear different perspectives, learn from one another and be reminded that you’re not expected to have parenting all figured out.
Term 4 2026
Next Circle of Security Parenting Group:
Thursday 8th October 2026 – Thursday 26th November 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm (90-minute sessions)
Location: Online
Format: Closed group (max 8 people)
Investment: $800 ($400 up-front to secure your place, $400 at Week 5)
Your Circle of Security Facilitator
Hi, I'm Dr Jess Green
One of the reasons I love facilitating Circle of Security Parenting is seeing some of the pressure parents put on themselves start to ease.
As a Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator and Clinical Psychologist, my role isn’t to tell you whether you’re getting parenting “right” or “wrong.”
It’s to create a space where you can step back from the day-to-day overwhelm and make sense of what’s happening in your family.
I’ve spent more than 10 years working with children, adolescents and families as a psychologist, and before that worked as a nanny, foster carer and disability support worker.
Working with children and the adults who care for them is the work I’ve deliberately built my career around.
I know there can be a lot of apprehension about joining a parenting group, so creating a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space is incredibly important to me.
My hope is that you’ll leave the program feeling reassured that you don’t have to be perfect to be exactly the parent your child needs.
Why does secure attachment matter?
As much as we might want to, we can’t protect our children from disappointment, conflict or difficult emotions.
What we can do is help them develop the confidence that whatever happens, they have someone they feel safe to come back to.
That’s what psychologists call ‘secure attachment’.
One of the central ideas in Circle of Security Parenting is that children need two things from the adults who care for them:
A secure base that gives them the confidence to head out into the world to explore, play and learn.
A safe haven they can return to for comfort, reassurance and help making sense of big feelings.
When children experience both, they’re more likely to develop the secure attachment that supports emotional wellbeing, resilience and healthy relationships.
My Melbourne-based Circle of Security Parenting Group is built around a practical framework for recognising which role your child needs you to play in different moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions you might have about Circle of Security Parenting Group
Does my child attend the sessions?
No. The group is for parents and carers.
The program uses video examples of other parents and children to help you explore children’s cues, attachment needs and caregiver responses. You’ll then have opportunities to reflect on how those ideas relate to your own relationship with your child.
What ages is the program for?
The COSP group is for parents and carers of children aged 6 months to 12 years.
How do I know if Circle of Security Parenting is right for my family?
Circle of Security Parenting is designed for parents and carers of children aged 6 months–12 years. You don’t need to be experiencing major difficulties or have a child with a diagnosis to benefit from the program. Many parents join because they’d simply like to better understand their child and feel more confident navigating everyday parenting. If you’re still unsure, please reach out, and we can have a chat about it.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate for the Circle of Security Parenting group?
Yes, if you’re eligible and have the appropriate referral from your GP. Rebates also depend on group size, so I’ll confirm what applies before the group starts.
You are required to pay $400 up front to secure your place in the group and the remaining $400 at Week 5.
After each week that you attend, I will process your Medicare rebate for you. You will receive a receipt by email, which includes the Medicare claim receipt.
You cannot claim a rebate for any weeks you are absent.
What do I need to claim a Medicare rebate?
Group psychology sessions have their own Medicare allocation, separate from individual psychology sessions. This means you may be eligible for up to 10 group sessions per calendar year in addition to your individual psychology sessions.
If you already have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, your GP can provide a referral letter for group therapy in addition to your individual sessions. If you don’t have a plan, you can speak with your GP about whether you’re eligible and ask for a referral specifically for group sessions.
Can both parents attend?
Yes, both parents are welcome. The fee is per person, $800 each, so $1,600 for a couple.
Sometimes parents find it tricky for both to attend while also supporting their children at bedtime, so one parent will attend one term and the other parent will attend the following term. This way they can both learn the COS principles whilst managing bedtimes!
Do you see court-referred families?
Yes, I see court-referred families. I provide a certificate at the end of the course to show that you have completed it. Some courts require you to attend in person, so please check this first before registering.
What if I can’t make a session?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds for missed sessions, and as the material is copyrighted, it is not possible to share the videos with you outside of the session time. So, I recommend only registering for the course if you can make it to each of the eight weeks.
Is the group confidential?
Yes, all group sessions are confidential, and group guidelines are created to make sure all participants feel safe to share. You will sign a consent form which explains the exceptions to confidentiality (e.g. risk to safety or others, if a subpoena has been issued etc).
Is the program online or in person?
The group is run online via Zoom, so you can join from home or wherever you are most comfortable. A week before the first session, you’ll receive the Zoom link and program booklet.
You don't have to figure parenting out on your own
Whether you’re looking to better understand your child’s behaviour, strengthen your relationship or simply feel more confident in those everyday parenting moments, I’d love to welcome you into the next Circle of Security Parenting group.