Viewing posts in category: mindfulness

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

Braving the Holiday Season 2024
How to BRAVE the Holiday Season The holiday season arrives this year amid global uncertainties and economic pressures that many Australians are feeling deeply. While the festive season traditionally brings joy, it can also amplify our challenges. We’re navigating not just family expectations and complicated histories, but also conversations about rising living costs, climate concerns, … read more
Losing a Loved One to Addiction
Losing someone to addiction carves a unique kind of hole into our hearts. We don’t just lose them once – addiction steals them from us again and again. We watch as they choose substances over family gatherings, as they vanish for days to drink with friends. Watch them disappear behind lies, drift toward people who … 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 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.

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

It’s never been easier to slip into gambling addiction. Finding your self-worth is key Ashwini Padhi and Andrea Szasz
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/14/its-never-been-easier-to-slip-into-gambling-addiction-finding-your-self-worth-is-key

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

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

Celebrating Mother’s Day, from the Rebel Fairy
Guest post from the Rebel Fairy In celebration of Mother’s Day and all the love and generosity our mothers may give us, let’s send some acknowledgment to the Mother of all Mothers, Earth! There isn’t anyone as patient, forgiving and generous as Mother Earth. It’s quite incredible to think about how literally everything we need … read more
Somatic Practice with Anita Whelen at Brave Therapy™
I am very excited to introduce Anita Whelen Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who joined my practice in January. While we practice in different ways, our work highly compliments each-other. Anita’s background is in body work, while I am a psychodynamic and somatic psychotherapist. Here is a conversation I had with Anita about her work. As a … read more

How to BRAVE the Holiday Season in 2020
How to BRAVE the Holiday Season The holiday season is the time of the year when there might be some extra relational demands of us. While the festive season is generally a happy time, the reflections and celebrations can also be challenging. There are expectations; from family members with whom we may share some … read more