East Brisbane
Circle of Security Parenting™ Programs

An 8-week evidence-based program designed to help you better understand your child's attachment needs and strengthen your relationship, at our psychology clinic in East Brisbane.

Do you ever feel like you're missing what your child really needs, even when you're trying your hardest?

Even the most loving parents can feel confused by their child's emotions and behaviours. Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP™) is an evidence-based 8-week parenting course that helps you understand what your child is really asking for and gives you practical tools to enhance your responses with confidence and compassion.

Based on decades of attachment research, COSP™ uses a simple visual roadmap, guided video examples, and reflective discussion to help you recognise and meet your child's attachment needs. The program runs for 90 minutes each week over 8 weeks and can be delivered individually, in couples, or in small groups of up to four people.

More information can be found at Circle of Security International.

The COS model helps parents:

  • Of all children from infancy up to and including 12 years of age

  • Who identify some kind of emotional or behavioural concern for their child

  • Who are concerned about the quality of their relationship with their child

  • Who just want to better understand their child and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

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Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP™)

  • Consists of 8x weekly 90-min sessions

  • Supports parents in understanding the road map and basics of attachment theory and how it can be applied within relationship

  • Incorporates official COS video materials, reflection and discussion based on the video of other caregivers

  • Can be run individually, in couples, or groups (maximum 4 people in a group)

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Circle of Security-Intensive (COS-I)

  • A comprehensive and personalised parenting program that helps parents gain a deeper understanding of how their child’s attachment needs are expressed (or sometimes hidden)

  • Personalised assessment of the parent-child relationship with tailored treatment planning

  • The process includes 15 sessions incorporating initial intake, two video recorded parent-child interactions, one semi-structured parent interview, and 12 x 1-hour weekly one-on-one parent only sessions

  • Can be run individually, or couples

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Meet your psychologist

Louise Allan is an accredited facilitator of the Circle of Security (COS) parenting programs: Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP™) and Circle of Security Intensive (COS-I). Louise is one of a few clinicians in Queensland accredited to deliver the COS-I intervention.

  • Louise is a warm and empathic psychologist who works from a therapeutic foundation based on providing support that is client-centred, developmentally appropriate, attachment based, trauma-informed, and culturally aware. Louise works from a systems approach taking into consideration the needs of the individual, whilst working closely with the individual to understand the system that they are a part of and the delicate intertwining of contextual information contributing to their lived experience.

    Additionally, Louise has a particular interest in psycho-educational assessment and works with individuals to better understand their strengths, areas of challenge, and the impact of difficulties experienced. Louise supports her clients in celebrating their unique footprint and aims to support development of an individuals overall wellbeing. Louise works in conjunction with the individual and family’s needs and directives, as well as the key stakeholders in a client’s life, including schools, and the key professionals such as paediatricians, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists.

    Louise enjoys working across the lifespan and has a particular interest in supporting women navigating personal and life difficulties, and life transitions. She also enjoys working with parents seeking to strengthen the connection with, and understanding of their children, and providing support and skill building for children and adolescents.

    Louise’s goal is to support individuals on their journey to understanding themselves and to be the best they can be, whilst celebrating their own unique being as it slowly unfolds within connection.

  • Louise is currently undertaking the registrar program working towards endorsement as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist following on from completion in her studies in the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) program. Louise works from the following evidence-based therapy frameworks:

    • accredited Circle of Security Intensive (COS-I) Provider,

    • Circle of Security Parenting™ (COSP™),

    • Mindfulness,

    • Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy,

    • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy,

    • EMDR basic training.

    Louise is trained in the following areas of assessment:

    • Autism

    • ADHD

    • Giftedness

    • Intellectual disability

    • Non-verbal learning

    • Memory

    • Specific Learning Disorders (reading, writing, spelling and mathematics)

Portrait of Louise Allan, psychologist

Louise Allan, Psychologist (Registrar)

Why families choose Louise

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Rare COS-I Accreditation

Louise is one of only a few clinicians in Queensland accredited to deliver both COS programs, giving you access to the full spectrum of evidence-based attachment support.

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Neurodevelopmental Expertise

With training in autism, ADHD, giftedness, and learning disorders, Louise understands how neurodevelopmental differences influence attachment and parent-child relationships.

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Trauma-Informed, Culturally Aware

Louise's approach integrates attachment theory with trauma-informed care and cultural awareness, creating a safe space that honours your family's unique context and experiences.

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Systems Approach

Louise collaborates with your support network (schools, paediatricians, and specialists) to ensure COSP insights translate into meaningful support across your child's life.

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Educational Psychology Training

As a registrar psychologist in educational and developmental psychology, Louise brings current research and best practices to child development within the attachment framework.

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Flexible Delivery Options

Whether you prefer individual sessions, couples work, or small groups (up to four people), Louise tailors program delivery to your family's needs and circumstances.

Common Questions

  • The COS model is based on decades of attachment research and helps parents better understand and meet their child's attachment needs.

    The model utilises a road map (the Circle of Security diagram) to help parents with understanding what it is that their child needs, and how these needs are expressed (or sometimes hidden). The model incorporates selected core concepts of attachment theory and science, to help promote secure attachment and provide a secure base for children.

    This model is designed for parents of children from infancy up to 12 years of age. Whether you’re noticing emotional or behavioural concerns, feeling unsure about the quality of your relationship with your child, or simply wanting to better understand your child and strengthen your connection, then the COS model can help.

  • You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit from COSP™ or COS-I. The programs are valuable for any parent who wants to deepen their understanding of the child’s emotional needs and build a stronger, more secure relationship.

  • Yes, COS can help with teenagers. A teens needs on the Circle are the same as younger children, they just look a little different in behaviour.

  • COS is grounded in decades of attachment research and provides an evidence-based framework for understanding and responding to your child’s emotional needs. It’s recognised internationally as an effective parenting intervention.

  • The program gives you a clear visual roadmap to understand what your child is communicating through their behaviour and practical tools to respond with confidence and compassion. You'll learn to recognise attachment needs and build secure connections.

  • Parents typically report feeling more confident in understanding their child's emotional cues, improved ability to respond supportively, and a stronger parent-child relationship. You'll gain insights that help reduce confusion and anxiety around challenging behaviours.

  • COSP™ can be delivered individually (just you), as couples (both parents together), or in small groups of up to four people. This flexibility allows you to choose what feels most comfortable and supportive for your family.

    COS-I is delivered individually (just you), or as couples (both parents together), however the timing will be slightly modified when delivered as couples. Louise will discuss this prior to commencing, if both parents are completing COS-I together.

  • Each COSP™ session runs for 90 minutes, once per week for eight weeks. This gives you time to engage deeply with the material, watch video examples, reflect, and discuss within a supportive environment.

    Each COS-I session runs for 1-hour, once per week for 12 weeks. Additionally, there will be an intake session, two video recorded parent-child interactions, and a parent only semi-structured interview.

  • Sessions are held at our child and adolescent psychology clinic, The Centred Home and Mind, in East Brisbane – a calm, comfortable, safe space.

  • Absolutely not. Louise creates a warm, non-judgemental space where all parents are welcomed. The program acknowledges that parenting is challenging and that we're all doing our best. You'll be supported, not criticised.

  • Yes, your privacy is important. If you choose the group format, we establish clear confidentiality agreements at the start, and Louise maintains professional standards of privacy throughout.

  • It's completely natural to have emotional responses when reflecting on your relationship with your child. Louise is a warm and empathic psychologist who creates a safe space for you to explore these feelings at your own pace.

  • Contact us to discuss current availability. We'll arrange a time that works for your schedule, and you can begin once a suitable program slot is available.

  • The COSP™ program runs for eight consecutive weeks with one 90-minute session each week. The COS-I intervention runs for 12 consecutive weeks with one 60-minute session each week. This consistent structure helps you integrate the learning and apply it between sessions to build secure attachment with your children.

  • Life happens, and we understand. However, consistent attendance helps you get the most from the program. If you need to miss a session, we can discuss options when you contact us.

  • Each session includes parent education through official Circle of Security video materials featuring other caregivers, guided reflection, and group or individual discussion. You'll learn to use the Circle of Security roadmap to understand your child's attachment needs.

  • No special preparation is required. Just bring yourself and an openness to learning. Louise will guide you through each session with clear structure and support.

  • COSP™ is the foundational 8-week program focusing on attachment theory basics and the roadmap.

    COS-I is a more personalised 12-session intensive program that includes video recordings of your parent-child interactions and tailored treatment planning.

    We can help you determine which is right for you.

  • Please contact us for current pricing information. We're happy to discuss costs and answer any questions during an obligation-free chat.

  • We can discuss potential rebate options through Medicare or private health insurance when you contact us. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the type of program.

Seeking clarity in your parenting journey?

Contact us for an obligation-free chat about the COS programs.

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