Viewing posts in post_tag: self-care
The quiet nature of renewal
Easter often speaks of renewal, of new life, of beginning again. But in lived experience, renewal rarely arrives in dramatic or visible ways. More often, it is subtle.A shift in how we relate to ourselves.A moment of softening where there was once tension.A capacity to stay a little longer with something that once felt too … read more
Unexpected Ways of Getting Out of Shutdown: Why Pickle Juice Might Be Your New Best Friend
Here’s something you probably weren’t expecting to read in a trauma therapy blog: pickle juice might be one of the most effective tools for managing dissociative shutdown states. I know, I know. It sounds completely bizarre. But stick with me here, because the clinical evidence – and the lived experience of people I work with … 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
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
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
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 Nuanced Divide: Unpacking Psychotherapy vs. Counseling
The Nuanced Divide: Unpacking Psychotherapy vs. Counseling As a practising therapist and supervisor, I’m frequently asked to clarify the distinction between psychotherapy and counselling. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are distinct differences in each approach’s training, theoretical foundations, and overarching aims. At their core, counselling and psychotherapy both involve a trained professional … 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
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
We need to do better!
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research was recently discussed in articles published by the Guardian and the SMH. The report, which will be released today, will include the views of 34 survivors discussing the justice system in NSW. RMIT questioned victims of sexual assault about what they realised after or during discussing the incident … 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