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All Blog Posts


Change Is Inevitable -Disconnection Doesn’t Have to Be
Life will change - whether you’re in a relationship or walking your path alone. New jobs. Health challenges. Kids growing up. Losses....
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Why It’s Not the Time to Set the Record Straight: Listening First in Relationships
When someone we love tells us they’re hurt by something we did or said, our first instinct is often to explain, defend, or correct....
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


When Life Doesn’t Look the Way You Thought It Would
Sometimes we carry around a picture in our minds of how life should look - like a polished Instagram reel that plays on a loop. A perfect...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


"Trust and Commitment: The Real Glue of Lasting Love"
When we talk about lasting love - whether it’s marriage or a long-term partnership - we’re really talking about two key things: trust and...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


The Power of Connection: Bridging the Gap with Your Teen or Adult Child
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual - especially when it comes to navigating the changes that happen as your child grows into a teenager...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Unlocking Healing: Why Tailored Therapy Makes All the Difference
The Importance of Counselling and the Value of Different Therapeutic Approaches Seeking counselling can be a powerful step toward...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


Shaped by Nurture: How Our Past Influences Our Present
Have you ever found yourself reacting to a situation in a way that feels automatic - maybe snapping in frustration, withdrawing when...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Why Rejection Hurts Like a Broken Bone – The Science of Emotional Pain
Have you ever felt your stomach drop after reading a painful text or experienced an actual ache in your chest after a breakup? If so,...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Understanding Emotional Intelligence: A Key to Nurturing Relationships
Emotional intelligence (EI) is a term that’s been buzzing around in the realm of relationships, especially marriage. But what does it...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Trauma's Impact on Your Love Life—and How to Fix It
Healing Past Trauma: Why It’s Worth the Effort Let’s face it, life’s not always a walk in the park. In fact, sometimes it feels more like...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Reigniting the Thrill in Your Relationship: Rediscovering the Joy of Falling in Love Again
What do you miss the most about falling in love? Maybe it’s the butterflies you felt when they’d call, the excitement of the first kiss,...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


Do You Keep a Mental List of Your Partner’s Mistakes?
“He left the dishes in the sink again.” “She never remembers to pick up the dry cleaning.” “That’s the second time this week he’s been...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


Breaking the Cycle of Interruptions: A Path to Healthier Communication in Relationships
Interrupting your partner during conversations—whether consciously or not—is a common challenge in many relationships. It can be a...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


Embracing Your Unique Journey: Moving Beyond Comparison to Improve Your Life and Relationships
In our digitally connected world, it’s almost second nature to compare our lives with those around us. We see glimpses of people’s...
Anchoring Your Life
7 min read


The Hidden Impact of Non-Verbal Facial Expressions on Communication
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where, despite the words being said, you feel a wave of negativity? It might be because of...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


Judging Others: The Hidden Harm to Relationships and How to Overcome It
We all do it. We judge others, often without even realizing it. It's a habit that seems harmless, but in reality, judging others can have...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


The Secret to Happier Relationships: Embracing the 'We' Mindset
If you could sum up the secret to happier relationships in one word, it would be "we." The distinction between saying "we" versus "me" in...
Anchoring Your Life
6 min read


Healing from Betrayal: The Gottman Method Approach to Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy
Betrayal is a deep wound that can rupture even the strongest bonds between partners. Imagine discovering that your partner has been...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


Taking Ownership of Your Responses: Navigating Feelings and Behaviours
One of the most empowering concepts is taking ownership of our responses. It’s a notion that speaks volumes about personal responsibility...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


The Pitfalls of Excessive Positivity: How It Shapes Our Minds and Relationships
In a world that often preaches the benefits of positivity, it might seem counterintuitive to suggest that being excessively positive can...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


The Crucial Role of Emotional Regulation in Relationships: A Shared Responsibility
When it comes to relationships, emotions play a central and dynamic role. The ebb and flow of emotional experiences can either strengthen...
Anchoring Your Life
5 min read


The Transformative Power of Words: Navigating Emotional Landscapes
When it comes to the complexities of human emotions, words have the wonderful ability to build you up and the cutting ability to break...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Navigating the Path to Authentic Living: Creating the Life You Want
In our quest for authenticity, it's imperative to recognize that societal expectations are a pervasive force influencing various facets...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Seizing the Moment: The Power of Committing to Create Positivity in Your Life
Life is a series of moments strung together. Each moment is an opportunity, a chance to shape our lives, forge connections, and leave a...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Resentment Ripple: Unveiling the Layers of Unspoken Pain
Resentment, a powerful and pervasive emotion, can quietly seep into your life, corroding your mental well-being and poisoning your...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


The Silent Struggle: Navigating the Impact of Neutral Invalidation
When it comes to the complexities of human connections, emotional validation plays a pivotal role in fostering healthy relationships....
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Built To Last Love: The Bond-Strengthening Power of Mutual Admiration and Fondness
A crucial element of a successful relationship is the presence of fondness and admiration, as emphasized by Dr. John Gottman, a prominent...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Thriving Through Trauma: Widening Your Window of Tolerance
Life is a series of highs and lows, a constant ebb and flow of experiences and emotions. How we navigate this rollercoaster is heavily...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Acceptance: Navigating Life & Relationships
In the intricate tapestry of life, we often encounter circumstances beyond our control. These unforeseen events can challenge our...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


What's Your Communication Style?
Communication, the cornerstone of human interaction, influences the fabric of our relationships. In this article, we delve into four...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


The Hidden Impact of Meta-Emotions
In today's fast-paced society, the pressures and demands of daily life can take a toll on our emotional well-being. We often find...
Anchoring Your Life
2 min read


Unraveling the Power of Empathy: Why Understanding Others is the Key to a Better World
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, seems more important...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


The aftermath of trauma: Rebuilding perception and finding hope
Trauma can have a profound impact on how you perceive yourself and the world. It can change the way you think, feel, and behave, leaving...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


The need to feel heard runs deep!
As human beings, we all have a deep-seated need to feel heard and understood. Whether it’s in our personal relationships or professional...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


Do You Know What Your Attachment Style is?
Your attachment styles is just one of the topics that we may explore in couples counselling, to help you better understand yourself and...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


Have You Heard of the "Magic Ratio" of 5:1?
There is nothing better than having a stable relationship whether that is with your partner, your child, your parent, or that special...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Are You a 'Good Enough' Mother?
That really depends on your definition of what a good enough mother really is? Is it based on what you hear from your friends, your...
Anchoring Your Life
3 min read


How to Nurture Your Relationship in the Holidays
During the holidays, the expectation is that relationships will automatically be replenished, rejuvenated and reignited just by the pure...
Anchoring Your Life
4 min read


Do You Still Date Your Partner?
Not many would disagree that 2020 has got off to a strange start and caused a bit of havoc in our lives, for many, a lot of havoc! For...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


Is Anger Controlling You?
Anger is a normal human emotion that when managed properly does not pose a problem. Everyone gets angry and mild anger can be useful at...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
3 min read


Is Medication Enough to Treat Anxiety?
Medication can be effective in treating symptoms of anxiety and can certainly provide some relief. Medication, however, is not for...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


HOW TO RUIN A RELATIONSHIP!
As a Gottman trained therapist with a passion for couples counselling, I have learnt that there are four predictors to ruining a...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


4 Interesting Research Findings About Self-Compassion!
Self-compassion is not something you’ll find we do very often for ourselves. Compassion for others, yes, not so difficult to achieve but...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


What’s the difference between a Coach & a Counsellor anyway?
The coaching industry has taken off and the Millennials sure seem to be the new therapy generation! More and more people are faced with...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
3 min read


5 Important Things You May Not Know About Your Mental Health Treatment
The mental health treatment in Australia is dominated by the medical model via the Medicare Mental Health Plan system. I see it time and...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
3 min read


Managing Social Anxiety....
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...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


How Therapy Can Reduce Feelings of Shame….
Psychotherapy is an often necessary and valuable tool that helps people to learn how to be vulnerable with others, which can help to...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


How to choose the right Therapist for you.....
Surely all therapists are the same? Why is choosing your own therapist so important? When you make the decision to share your innermost...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


It’s not meant to happen to 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...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
2 min read


The Imposter...
Wikipedia describes the meaning of ‘imposter’ as a person who pretends to be somebody else, often through means of disguise. Usually when...
Debra Bragança - Accredited Counsellor
3 min read
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