CORE NEEDS FRAMEWORK

What is the Integrated Core Needs Approach

The New Beginnings Integrated Core Needs Approach is a framework for understanding perinatal mental health and wellbeing through the lens of core emotional needs. It is informed by Circle of Security, Schema Therapy, and Attachment Theory.

The approach combines a clinical framework for perinatal practitioners with accessible parent-facing resources that support reflection, psychoeducation, formulation, and intervention across face-to-face and telehealth settings.

Central to the approach are the Map of Wellbeing and the Cups of Wellbeing. Together, these visual frameworks help practitioners and parents explore how emotional needs, attachment experiences, coping patterns, and relationships influence current wellbeing, parenting, and the parent–child relationship.

As parents develop a deeper understanding of their own emotional world, they are better able to recognise and respond to their own needs while also supporting the attachment and emotional needs of their child.

In this way, the approach supports responsive perinatal mental health care, strengthens secure relationships, and creates opportunities for intergenerational healing.

Integrated Core Needs Framework

Introducing the Integrated Core Needs Framework

This video shares why the Integrated Core Needs approach was developed.

Map of Wellbeing

This video introduces the Map of Wellbeing, one of the two core visuals within the New Beginnings Core Needs Framework. The Map of Wellbeing provides a visual way of understanding how core emotional needs are met within relationships. These relational maps begin in childhood, within attachment relationships with caregivers. The ways needs are met or unmet, and the lessons children learn about themselves, relationships, and the world, shape how they move through future relationships and parenthood. Within perinatal and infant mental health, the Map of Wellbeing helps us understand what may be influencing a parent's emotional world by placing schemas and modes within a relational context.

The Cups of Wellbeing

The Cups of Wellbeing is one of two core visuals in the New Beginnings integrated core needs framework. The cups name ten core emotional needs that are closely associated with psychological wellbeing. Within the New Beginnings parent resources, these needs are introduced through the metaphor of the Cups of Wellbeing, providing a simple and accessible way for parents to reflect on their wellbeing and identify areas of depletion. The ten Cups were selected because they represent areas of overlap repeatedly reflected across attachment theory, Circle of Security, Schema Therapy, developmental neuroscience, and related approaches. The model intentionally translates these broader theoretical concepts into more observable and accessible areas of wellbeing that commonly emerge within perinatal practice.

New Beginning's Core Needs Framework & Parent Resources

Integrated Core Needs Framework

Introducing the Integrated Core Needs Framework

Map of Wellbeing

The Cups of Wellbeing

Practice Papers

New Beginning's Core Needs Framework & Parent Resources

Integrated Core Needs Framework

Introducing the Integrated Core Needs Framework

Map of Wellbeing

The Cups of Wellbeing

Practice Papers

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