The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist’s Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self

by Vanessa Bennett

A depth psychotherapist helps you discover your lost Self in motherhood by reimagining this transition and your place in the collective.

All mothers experience a massive identity shift, but as a culture, we’ve lost touch with the myths, stories, and ancestral knowledge that once guided us through this ego explosion. As a depth psychotherapist and new mom, Vanessa Bennett has spent countless hours with female clients, couples, and herself experiencing the struggle and dissolution of Self that comes through the initiation into motherhood. By applying the principles of depth psychology, she’s found the key to disrupting the “getting through” mentality of motherhood.

Depth psychology explores the human psyche’s need to understand its place in the collective and create a differentiated sense of Self, and it’s through this lens that The Motherhood Myth helps us reclaim our sovereignty and find the larger purpose of parenting and partnership. “By reacquainting ourselves with myths and feminine forces like Demeter and Baba Yaga, those whose traits and stories empower and guide us to understand and reclaim aspects of ourselves that we have lost touch with, lay dormant, or have been purposely cut off by society, we can finally navigate and integrate this tumultuous transition,” says Bennett.

Throughout this guide, Bennett offers practical tools to help us discover and embody an unshakable sense of Self. She also provides skills and scripts to increase capacity for conflict, vulnerability, and discomfort.

Genres: Parenting, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Psychology

Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jessica Millard · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of fantasy and mythology, this book spoke to my heart in tying the stories of old into the beliefs that we have as a culture. It also brought out to light aspects that we can learn from these stories.

All I have to say is this book just enforces that the fantasy and the fiction that you read helps shape you as a person. It also can help shape your understanding of the world and understand what you enjoy and don’t.

As a mother of four married to her high school, sweetheart, this spoke so deeply to my soul, even if there were parts that made me very uncomfortable. It took the uncomfortable and allowed me to think through why that was uncomfortable.

I highly recommend this book for any mother who has lost herself with motherhood. For any mother who feels overworked in over, demanded by having to be a mom and a full-time employee.

Please go read this. Please listen to it. For your heart and for your soul so that you can be knowing yourself deeper

[Sally Groomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Myth of Motherhood by Vanessa Bennett is a powerful resource for exploring many of the nuances of motherhood. Several of the chapters specifically speak to the often unspoken challenges that mothers face including societal pressure and partnership dynamics. Bennett includes helpful examples from her professional experience as a licensed depth psychotherapist as well as incredibly incisive personal anecdotes to expand on various themes and fault lines. While mothers are discussed throughout the book, many of the later chapters have a wonderfully astute and exploration of codependency and the impact of that one both the individual and surrounding relationships. I would eagerly recommend this book widely for any woman—as we are all shaped and impacted by mothers (or lack thereof), even if mothering children is not a primary facet of our own lives. Thank you to NetGalley and Sounds True Audiobooks for the opportunity to read and review this new release!

[Elizabeth Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Motherhood Myth is a refreshing and honest dive into the realities behind the perfect-mom facade. This book unapologetically challenges the unrealistic expectations society places on mothers—and it’s exactly the kind of honest conversation we all need.

With a mix of humor, vulnerability, and sharp insight, Bennett dismantles the pressures of “doing it all” and reminds us that motherhood looks different for everyone. If you’re tired of the guilt and comparison trap, this book offers a liberating perspective and a much-needed dose of self-compassion.

A must-read for every parent (and anyone who knows one). As someone in the trenches with a toddler and a newborn this is exactly the kind of book I needed to read!

💬 “Perfection is a myth. Love is the truth.”

Thank you to NetGalley for the e arc in exchange for an honest review!

[Payal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Motherhood Myth is a must read for any family that is or has been in a postpartum period. While much of this was information that I as a postpartum woman knew deep down, hearing it felt so incredibly validating. The anecdotes felt raw and realistic, I often saw glimpses of myself in them. And there were many parts where I had a lightbulb moment realizing that I had given up my identity without even knowing it. Hearing the discourse around societal norms was extremely eye opening. I never considered that my partner was just as much a victim as I was.

Overall I highly recommend this book for any woman who identifies as a mother because even if you aren’t the birthing parent, so many of these concepts apply!

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Marinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Motherhood Myth is an enjoyable book focusing on women as they navigate the most drastic change - becoming a mother. Vanessa Bennett weaves personal tales, client examples, history, and mythology into scientific and clinical based applications to issues women face in marriage, motherhood, and just getting by in an overstimulating world. Bennett is a depth therapist, which I was unaware of prior to reading The Motherhood Myth. As a therapist myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the delivery of this book and it's message. I was worried it would lean too politically for my tastes, but I do felt it did a good job of staying more fact based and history focused versus pushing any one agenda.

The audiobook is narrated by the author, which is always a plus! I felt that Bennett did a great job keeping me engaged as a reader, both in topic and in voice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sounds True Audiobooks, and the author and narrator Vanessa Bennett for an ALC of The Motherhood Myth in exchange for an honest review!

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I felt so seen and validated. I think it’s great for the modern mother. I also think the narrator did a great job of adding positivity and emotion to the non-fiction genre so it didn’t feel boring (as well as having good writing).

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an eARC and eALC.

[Stellar Curie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Motherhood Myth" provides valuable tools and strategies for women to navigate the complexities of motherhood, improve communication in relationships, and embrace vulnerability. This insightful guide offers a compassionate and practical approach to support mothers in their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth, helping them build an unwavering sense of self-identity.

[Whitney Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn’t for me. While I really appreciated the real life applications this author gave for very real motherhood struggles, a lot of the reasoning behind our struggles is pulled from mythology and folklore. It was just a little to “woo” for me.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative, refreshing and practical resource that offers mothers a chance to be seen in a way that is often not present through parenting books.

As an avid reader, I greatly appreciate how Vanessa explores motherhood through mythology, archetypes, stories and ritual. I wish this were available when I first became a mother.

I was fortunate to access the audiobook, which is beautifully narrated by the author, which is always a huge bonus. I like how her voice and pacing kept me engaged throughout.

With thanks to Sound True Audiobooks and NetGalley for a listening copy, to honestly review.

4.5 stars (rounded up)

[emily *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely phenomenal 👏🏼
I have not given birth but I am helping to raise a small human and this was so insightful. Even aside from the motherhood topics it dived into other extremely insightful topics that I think everyone could benefit from.

[Joan Bates · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of this book was amazing. It is very well done. I really enjoyed it until it got somewhat political. I would have given it 5 stars until then.

[Jennifer Dengler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great dive into the historical context of the messages the women are subject to throughout life. Quick read that I really enjoyed.