Medication can be effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and can certainly provide some relief.  Medication, however, is not for everyone and for some they are likely to be disappointed for a number of reasons.  People react to medications differently and for some, medication may only give partial relief, for others they may give unwanted side effects and often people need to try more than one to try and find that magic cur...

As a Gottman trained therapist I have learnt that there are four predictors to ruining a relationship and are the contributors of 99% of marriages breaking down!  After studying this evidence-based therapy it was incredible to see just how accurate this was and how many times these predictors would present themselves to me in couples during therapy sessions.   Often couples don’t even realise the damaging effect these factors...

Self-compassion is not something you’ll find we do very often for ourselves.  Compassion for others, yes, not so difficult to achieve but when we need to extend it towards ourselves it’s as though we feel we’re being a little selfish or indulging ourselves and that seems unacceptable.  But, its not!  There is absolutely nothing further from the truth and developing a sense of self-compassion can help you in many areas of your...

The coaching industry has taken off and the Millennials sure seem to be the new therapy generation!  More and more people are faced with issues in the world today and so it’s not surprising that they are turning to therapy for support but who to turn to? 

A coach or a counsellor and is there a difference?  Let me see if I can shed some light on it for you…

I see so many coaches explaining the difference referring to counsel...

The mental health treatment in Australia is dominated by the medical model via the Medicare Mental Health Plan system. 

I see it time and time again across different social platforms, in the community and amongst friends.  Someone raises the subject of mental health and there is always the response of ……. "‘get a GP referral and get onto the mental health care plan"’. 

It’s almost like people have been brainwashed into bel...

There are many different forms of anxiety that affect society today and one of the top five is social anxiety or social phobia.  If you find it difficult to present in front of people or attend a social gathering or even just to try something new such as a sport.  Whatever the social situation is that makes you anxious, it can be really difficult to manage and oftentimes people will tend to stop doing the things that make them...

Psychotherapy is an often necessary and valuable tool that helps people to learn how to be vulnerable with others, which can help to reduce feelings of shame.  The dictionary defines shame as ‘the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another’.  Oftentimes we find that combined with the feelings of shame, come feelings of guilt.  While shame ref...

Surely all therapists are the same?  Why is choosing your own therapist so important? 

When you make the decision to share your innermost thoughts, fears and concerns, you want to make sure that the person you are sharing this with is someone you like, trust and feel safe with.  The advantage of seeing a Counsellor is that you have the freedom of choice to decide who you want to see as against a referral by your GP.  You...

I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.  My father had been admitted to hospital for severe stomach pain that was thought to be diverticulitis.  Two days later at work, my phone rang.  “You need to come now”.  My heart dropped and I felt sick inside.  I raced to the hospital and I could see on everyone’s faces, it wasn’t good news.  He had pancreatic cancer and about six months to live.  I had thousands of emotions r...

Wikipedia describes the meaning of ‘imposter’ as a person who pretends to be somebody else, often through means of disguise. 

Usually when we think of the word ‘disguise’ we envisage a costume party where we get to dress up as someone different, put on a mask and have a good time.  Now that sounds like great fun but there is another type of disguise that people use daily in front of others..….a different type of mask.

So why do...