Viewing posts in category: Body-Mind Connection

The Body Speaks: How Our Physical Sensations Shape Our Emotional World
The Body Speaks: How Our Physical Sensations Shape Our Emotional World Have you ever noticed how your stomach seems to “drop” when you receive disappointing news, or how your chest feels tight when you’re anxious? These aren’t just figures of speech – they’re glimpses into one of the most fascinating aspects of human experience: the … 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

Riding the Waves of Persistence: Life Lessons from Surf Therapy
Learning to surf, like navigating academia, requires patience, guidance, and the courage to keep getting back up. Here’s what one session with Blue Dot’s Surf Therapy taught me about resilience and growth. The Beginning: Setting Intentions The morning began with a walk along Manly Beach to meet Chris and Gina, who had invited me to … 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

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

Six simple ways to regulate your nervous system
Here are six easy ways to keep your nervous system in check for better health. Getting started Our nervous system is very important to our health as a whole. It controls many functions and processes in our bodies, like how we react to stress, digest food, and how our immune system works. Keeping it in … 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

Orthorexia
Recently I had a conversation with Lucy E. Cousins from Marie-Claire about what happens when healthy eating becomes dangerous. I am called a Dr in the article, which is not yet true. I am in the process of doing my PhD but it is a long road 🙂 Orthorexia is a term used to describe … read more

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

Regulation skills for these difficult times
Dear Brave Therapy™ Friends and Clients, The floods devastating our country are unprecedented, the word I am growing tired of. But unfortunately, the horrors happening in Ukraine have precedent, and therefore hard to believe they are happening again. My heart breaks watching people, animals and the earth suffering. Watching the news and doom-scrolling can put … read more