Viewing posts in category: Attachment
Attachment Theory and the Instagram Problem
Why Your “Attachment Style” Quiz Might Be Telling You the Wrong Story If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, chances are you’ve encountered a quiz, a reel, or a thread promising to reveal your “attachment style.” Anxious. Avoidant. Secure. Disorganised. These labels have become part of everyday language — the way people explain … read more
Therapeutic Touch in Sydney: Co-Regulation, Somatic Psychotherapy and Trauma Therapy in Australia
Co-regulating touch: when the body learns safety in relationship Touch has always sat at the edges of psychotherapy — powerful, intimate, and often misunderstood. Yet when we look closely at how human nervous systems develop and regulate, it becomes clear that touch is not an “extra”. It is one of our earliest languages of safety. … read more
When Your Body Feels Like a Stranger: Introducing Rest and Restore Protocol
If you’ve lived through trauma or neglect, you might recognise this feeling: your body doesn’t quite feel like home anymore. Or it may never felt like that. Perhaps your gut is constantly unsettled, sleep feels like something that happens to other people, or you’ve noticed that you’re somehow… disconnected. Like your brain and body … read more
When Our Past Shapes How We Respond to an Outcry
When Our Past Shapes How We Respond to a Crying Baby I recently came across an interesting study that provides compelling evidence for something I’ve observed in my work for years – how our attachment history literally shapes our brain’s response to infant distress. The research, published in the Journal of Attachment & Human Development, … read more
Adult Attachment Interview Classifications: Key Findings and Clinical Implications
After obsessively reviewing the extensive research paper by Bakermans-Kranenburg, Dagan, Cárcamo, and Van IJzendoorn (2024) on more than 26,000 Adult Attachment Interviews (AAIs), I was excited to share some fascinating insights about attachment patterns and their clinical significance. I tried to keep it short and accessible, but if you are interested in this topic as … read more
Is it really better help?
Why Online Therapy Platforms Like BetterHelp Miss the Mark: A Psychodynamic Perspective As a psychotherapist specialising in trauma and attachment, I’ve been watching the rise of online therapy platforms like BetterHelp with growing concern. While increasing access to mental health support is crucial, these platforms often overlook the fundamental aspects of what makes therapy transformative. … read more
World Mental Health Day 2024
Mental Health Day: A Time for Reflection and Action As we mark another Mental Health Day, we must pause and consider the state of our collective well-being. Recent years have presented unprecedented challenges for Australians and humanity in general. Natural disasters are continuing, and the global pandemic’s leftover disruption still affects us. The horror of … read more
The Revealing Power of the Adult Attachment Interview
The Revealing Power of the Adult Attachment Interview As a therapist, I continue to be amazed by the insights that surface when we embark on our self-exploration journeys alongside clients. One experience that proved transformative for me was completing the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) training and becoming a certified coder of the instrument. … read more
Celebrating Mother’s Day with a Different Perspective
Celebrating Mother’s Day with a Different Perspective Mother’s Day is a time for celebration and gratitude, but for many, it can also bring complex emotions to the surface. Not everyone has a positive relationship with their mother, and others may be dealing with the pain of loss. If you find yourself in one of these … read more
The Safe and Sound Protocol: Navigating the Path to Balance
In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace is more crucial than ever. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) offers a unique approach to achieving balance and well-being. In this blog, we’ll explore the history and practical benefits of SSP, a therapeutic auditory intervention developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges. The Genesis of Safe and … read more
5 signs you could have disordered eating
Orthorexia rates are on the rise. Wellness habits are meant to result in a healthy overall lifestyle, but for some, it sends them along a dark and dangerous road of disordered eating, as psychotherapist Andrea Szasz explains.
Body&Soul 10 subtle signs you may have unresolved childhood trauma
https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/wellness/mental-health/10-subtle-signs-you-may-have-unresolved-childhood-trauma/news-story/dbdc8b8c53f8270200ea062eed49422d
Survivors of childhood trauma often grow up believing they are unworthy…The Guardian
I am very passionate about childhood and developmental trauma, so I was honoured to be asked to contribute., With love Andi https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/30/survivors-of-childhood-trauma-often-grow-up-believing-they-are-unworthy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Othe
BODY + SOUL / Is it ADHD or nervous system dysregulation?
There’s no doubt that there is increasing awareness of ADHD online, but the symptoms may be mistaken for other illnesses. This is how you can tell which is which. There has been increasingly more awareness about adults being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) over the past few years. However, sometimes in therapy, patients … read more
My Favorite Podcasts
The pandemic sent me on long walks alone. However, I did discover the area I live in more detail and found some hidden gems. I also found some fantastic walking partners in some podcasts. Here are the ones I absolutely love: Soul Sessions with Jodie Gale Podcast An excellent resource for women, and not just … read more