Circle of Security Parenting (COSP)

Guiding Parents with Love and Emotional Intelligence

COSP gold coast
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“The Circle of Security is circling the globe as an intervention to help parents raise their children with love, warmth and emotional intelligence.” - Dr. Dan Siegel, Neuropsychiatrist and co-author of ‘The Whole Brain Child’.

Welcome to Circle of Security Parenting, a transformative program designed to nurture stronger connections between parents and children. Backed by over 60 years of research and endorsed by experts worldwide, this program empowers parents to provide love, warmth, and emotional intelligence in their parenting journey.

Why Choose Circle of Security?

  • Trauma-Informed Approach: The program is rooted in a deep understanding of attachment theory and is crafted to facilitate healing and growth.
  • Enhanced Parent-Child Relationship: From the very first session, you'll gain insights that boost your confidence as a parent, helping you foster a stronger bond with your child.
  • Click Here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
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Who Can Join?

Circle of Security is for all parents and caregivers of children aged 0-8 years old. Whether you're a single parent, a couple, or a caregiver, this program welcomes you with open arms. No judgments, just open discussions about enhancing interactions with your children.
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Program Highlights

  • Secure Attachment: Learn to develop a positive and secure relationship with your child that sets the foundation for their emotional wellbeing.
  • Understanding Emotions: Discover how to read your child's needs and understand their emotional world, leading to healthier communication.
  • Emotional Management: Explore strategies to help your child manage their emotions successfully, fostering resilience and growth.
  • Self-Esteem Enhancement: Gain insights into boosting your child's self-esteem, nurturing their confidence and self-worth.

What's Included?

  • Access to real-life examples through video recordings.
  • A comprehensive workbook with engaging activities and visual handouts.
  • Dive into the official COSP Circle model, a proven framework for effective parenting.
  • Certificate of Participation upon completion, delivered conveniently via email or post.

Program Details:

  • Private 1:1 Abbreviated Sessions: Tailored 2-hour sessions, perfect for personalised attention and flexible scheduling.
  • Group Sessions: A minimum of 4 registrations ensures that group sessions proceed as planned. Full attendance guarantees the Certificate of Participation.
  • Online Convenience: Sessions are streamed live via Zoom, ensuring privacy and convenience.
  • Click Here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
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crystal hardstaff the gentle counsellor

Crystal Hardstaff is a registered counsellor and Circle of Security® Parenting™ Facilitator based in Queensland, Australia. Through her practice, The Gentle Counsellor, Crystal supports parents to build stronger, more secure relationships with their children using attachment-based, evidence-informed approaches.

She offers both group and individual Circle of Security® Parenting™ programs in a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental space—empowering parents to better understand their child’s needs and their own parenting journey.

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Participant Testimonials:

"I would tell all parents who would have the opportunity to experience this training to take this, embrace this, practice it, live by it, and not only your children will benefit but you will come away feeling empowered as a parent." - Circle of Security Parenting Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

Confidentiality is a requirement of all participants. You agree to this upon joining. Stories that are shared are not to be told outside the sessions. Please consider if private 1:1 is a more suitable option for you. Ensure your environment, internet and technology are adequate for privacy, visual, sound, and microphone capabilities.
The content is exactly the same, the difference is the option for time. Circle of Security includes 8 Chapters and officially recommends this run as an 8-week program. I offer sessions with two chapters at a time making it 4 weeks, and I have to use the word 'abbreviated'.
Circle of Security Parenting is traditionally delivered as an 8-week program. However, as a registered facilitator, I am permitted to offer a 4-session version using the exact same content and materials, just in a shorter timeframe, and when doing so I have to use the word 'abbreviated'. If you are completing COSP for court, you will need to check with your lawyer or legal representative to ensure that an abbreviated format is acceptable in your situation. I provide a certificate of participation upon completion with the word 'abbreviated'.
No. The Circle of Security Parenting program is designed to be facilitated in a group and discussion setting.
Yes. This is available upon request and must be paid in full before the first session
Maybe. I have had clients use their NDIS funding for group and private 1:1 sessions. Please check if this service is part of your current plan to be able to claim for it, and if it is not in your plan then you may ask if you can add this at your next review. Please seek confirmation first.
The event page and terms and conditions you agree to during the registration process state that there are no refunds for this particular event. These policies are in place to ensure the smooth and seamless planning and execution of the event for all participants involved.
Yes. I do not charge additional for partners, so you just need the one registration and both your names will be included on the one certificate.
No. Sessions are not recorded due to the nature of privacy and confidentiality with participants, the delivery method of the program, and Copyright of the Circle of Security materials. Sessions are streamed live via Zoom. Please ensure your environment, internet and technology are adequate for privacy, visual, sound, and microphone capabilities.
A minimum of 4 registrations is required for group sessions to go ahead. If 4 is not reached your ticket will be refunded or transferred to another session. Please consider if private 1:1 is a more suitable option for you. You may email me to ask, however I do my best to update the event page with a confirmation message.
Full attendance is required to complete the program and receive the Certificate of Participation. If you miss a session then a makeup session will be offered for an additional $160, or the ticket will be transferred to a future session (if available), or you will be given the option to pay the difference for a private 1:1 session. No refunds.
No, I don’t share any information about who has or hasn’t participated in my programs in accordance with my Terms and Conditions. I take confidentiality seriously and will only share details if I have written permission from the client. If you’re seeking verification, please ask the client to contact me directly with their consent.
All advertised dates and times are in Brisbane, QLD, Australia, AEST (UTC+10:00). You can check with your timezone using this online converter https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html?iso=20210202T100000&p1=1490
Yes. You can review the research here https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/circle-of-security-model/research/

Upcoming Courses

Please see below Individual and Group options:

Private 1:1 abbreviated

1.5 hour sessions with 4 sessions in total booked at a time that suits you. See below for details on booking your dates and times.

Once payment is made please click here to view my calendar availability and book your 4 sessions under 'Circle of Security Private 1:1 Booking'. You will do this booking process for 4 sessions.

If you have any questions please email me at hello@thegentlecounsellor.com

$880 AUD

Buy Private 1:1

November 2025 [Online Group]

*4-weeks abbreviated program* Mondays

3rd November 10am - 12pm
10th November 10am - 12pm
17th November 10am - 12pm
24th November 10am - 12pm

Australia Daylight Savings Times
NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS 11am
SA 10.30am
NT 9.30am
WA 8am

$320 AUD

Please note timezone is Brisbane, AEST. Payment Plan option also available. Click Buy Tickets.

December 2025 [Online Group]

*6-nights abbreviated program* Mondays + Tuesdays

1st December 7pm - 8pm
2nd December 7pm - 8pm
8th December 7pm - 8pm
9th December 7pm - 8pm
15th December 7pm - 8pm
16th December 7pm - 8pm

Australia Daylight Savings Times
QLD 7pm
NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS 8pm
NT 6.30pm
SA 7.30pm
WA 5pm

$320 AUD

Please note timezone is Brisbane, AEST. Payment Plan option also available. Click Buy Tickets.

Future Dates TBC

Coming soon...

The Circle of Security Parenting Program is designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children.

About the Circle of Security™

The founders of Circle of Security International developed the early intervention program after years of clinical experience in family therapy and systems theory. They have dedicated several decades to research, confirming the many ways that children benefit when they are secure, from enhanced school readiness to improved relationships for life.

Circle of SecurityTM helps parents and caregivers improve their own awareness of their children’s needs, giving parents the tools to strengthen parent-child relationships and raise secure children.

Due to confidentiality, all reviews will display your first name as an initial (for example, Crystal will be displayed as C.), or you can type Anonymous for A. to be displayed. Entering your email is optional.

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Thank you and Outstanding!

August 5, 2025

Crystal was warm and genuine and took me through the course in an incredibly professional, empathetic and knowledgeable manner allowing the lessons of the Circle of Security to be insightful and profound, as they should be! I highly recommend Crystal and the Circle of Security course to all parents, grandparents and child carers out there. Thank you for ensuring that the course was engaging, fully understood and thought-provoking about not just the COS course subject matter but also other incidental aspects of parenting and human nature outside the course’s core messages. I am immensely grateful for you helping me maximise all the benefits that COS has to offer.

G.

Never forget the shark music

July 28, 2025

As a neurodivergent family, Circle of Security completely reshaped how we understand connection. It gave us a clear, visual framework to support our kids through emotional ups and downs, especially when things feel chaotic or intense.

The idea of being a safe base and secure haven helped us navigate meltdowns and separation moments with more confidence and calm. Learning about shark music—those hidden triggers from our own pasts—was a breakthrough. It helped us pause, reflect, and respond more thoughtfully instead of reacting from fear or frustration.

This program is trauma-informed, neuro-affirming, and incredibly grounding. It gave us tools not just to parent better, but to connect more deeply. Highly recommended for any ND family looking to build trust, safety, and emotional resilience.

T.

Outstanding!

July 28, 2025

Crystal shows such warmth, care and respect for her clients. Crystal provides a safe environment for sharing and shows great compassion and warmth in all aspects. Highly recommend!

B.

Very helpful

July 28, 2025

Crystal was very professional throughout the Circle of Security program sessions and I learned a lot about how to help my child and be a better parent for them.

A.