Amy Madden

12/06/2026

Family law and the family court is a devastatingly common topic bought to therapy. The experience of abuse being one thing, followed by the experience of having the legal system weaponised. The cost of court, particularly for women, who we already know on average, earn less, have less super, gain less value in property settlement, and are more likely to carry the lions share of domestic responsibility, have casual or transient jobs, and subject to the difficulties associated with sick leave for kids … make the cost of court processes even more prohibitive.

There is mediation, to avert court, however I hear just as many stories of weaponisation of this process, capitalising primarily on the same things, and critically using code known only to the victim to continue coercion.

For the record, I have never had a single client of mine say things like “I’ll see them in court!” or appear to drag out proceedings for the purpose of weaponisation. They 100% tremble at correspondence, they lose sleep over it.

Some of my clients are deciding between the cost of living and the cost of legal advice. As a therapist I cannot and will not give legal advice, but when faced with a client asking how they might go in court if they gave up their home and grocery money to use the rent to pay legal fees… it is very difficult to align with good practice guidelines that encourage a therapist to refer to specialised advice to specialised issues, ie that they obtain legal advice. It feels much more authentic to discourage choices leading to very real, growing vulnerability .
Yes there’s free advice- but have you tried to book it lately? Yes there’s are computers at the library, have you tried to write an affidavit about the scariest things that have ever happened to you? Yes people can just show up and self represent- but there is a reason this is a profession requiring years of tertiary training.

I don’t know the answer so this is less criticism and more observation and feedback. I don’t know what system we need, but I know it’s not this system.
This one causes harm.

https://apple.news/AnMRIb2K6Q4mz4A7hzR5vKQ

20/05/2026

This morning I had the utter pleasure of being invited to the official charity launch of Miracle Mums Movement.

Lou, the founder of this movement, is of herself an inspiration, but to build on her presence she also made space this morning for the stories of three incredible women to share their experiences.

Here is what I know, stories matter.
Womens stories matter.
The way that women tell their stories matter.
The way we listen to those stories, matters.

Making room for women to tell their stories, to hold space and to reaffirm their truth, matters.
It matters because women deserve to feel safe, validated, seen and have room to grow.

It ALSO matters becuase when women do better, when women can grow into who they're becoming, when they can reach for their life goals and flourish... we all benefit. Our children benefit, our families, our workpalaces, our friends and our communities.

And it all starts with the simple act, that Lou has made room for, of creating a safe space and room for women and their stories.

I couldnt have been more honuored to be in the room.

If you'd like to know more about this movement, you can find them on all the socials and also at www.miraclemumsmovement.org.au
They hold DGR status and any donation over $2 Im sure is gratefully recieved, and will go right where one would expect a donation to an organsiation of this calibre to go.

Thank you for having me x

Miracle Mums Movement Inc.

04/05/2026

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