How to BRAVE the Holiday Season   The holiday season is the time of the year when there might be some extra relational demands for 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 complicated history, … read more

Strange Situation, A mother’s journey into the science of attachment I love this book! As a researcher and a clinician with a special interest in trauma,  attachment and body-mind connections, I was excited to listen to the audible version of this book. Attachment theory become part of pop psychology and seems to be everywhere in … read more

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

Somehow just wishing Happy New Year does not fit today. Our country is burning. The Earth is in distress, I think she might be outraged. For many of us, loved ones; family  and animals are in danger of the fires. It is hard to celebrate. So to bring Joy to myself today,  I am choosing … read more

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

Psychotherapy helps us to develop a positive outlook for the future. Resolving past traumas, less then nurturing experiences and attachment disruptions is the main aim of therapy. Being heard, seen and supported in emotionally sensitive way can help to connect to our positive sense of self (Meares, 2000). Learning to relate via the safe containment … read more

We are not born with a developed self. As babies we do not know consciously what we need and what we want, not even what we feel. We  learn how to regulate our nervous system and our affect via our primary attachment relationship. Our brains get wired via emotional and sensory interactions with our primary … read more

Mental health issues are constantly in the news. We are suffering  from relational problems, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and so on. These ‘disorders’ or other mental health diagnoses are often stem from untreated traumas in our life. Our government and the media only seem to know about one way of treating these life challenging issues … read more

In my practice many clients walk through my door looking for support with their relational issues. As a trauma and attachment specialist I often imagine what their life was like at the start? Who was around, how did they learn how to relate, how did they learn who they are?   When we are born … read more

Since the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme began in 2006, there has been a great deal of confusion in the public about who can provide therapy and mental health services. Making an educated choice about who you would like to be your therapist has consequently become even more complex.  Being in therapy is … read more

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

(Warning: There are some spoilers in this blog. I wanted to make sure my clients are warned by some of the contents.) ‘In Pieces’ by Sally Field is one of most integrated autobiographies I have read or actually listened to. I always have been a fan of Sally, I could watch her movies again and … read more

On the Labour Day weekend just gone, I attended the 30th anniversary conference of ANZAP, the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy. While there was a strong sense of celebration at our collective achievements, and we were encouraged at the continuing success of the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, we were also keenly aware that our … read more

Some of you know that in May I was lucky enough to be part of Kristin Neff’s advanced self-compassion workshop that was held in Texas. The event itself was very exciting and inspiring as 200+ Daring Way™ Facilitators all over the world gathered to learn from Brené Brown, Kristin Neff and from each other. If … read more

Hello Dear Brave Friends, I wanted to tell you about a yearlong, online program that has been changing thousands of lives—The Foundations of Well-Being. In this guided, step-by-step program, Rick Hanson, Ph. D. shows you how to use the science of positive neuroplasticity to turn ordinary experiences into powerful inner strengths, including kindness toward yourself, insight into … read more