Motherhood Beyond Birth: The Many Faces of Nurturing When we think about mothers, our minds often first conjure images of pregnancy, birth, and that initial cradling of new life. But motherhood, in its truest essence, transcends the biological process of giving birth. Being a mother is fundamentally about creating a safe, predictable and nurturing environment … read more

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

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

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 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

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   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 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 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

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

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

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. 

Working in the mental health field may be very fulfilling at times, but also quite taxing. It may be quite taxing on the mental and emotional health of mental health practitioners to give assistance to those at their most vulnerable. In the mental health field, burnout is frequent and may devastate the therapist and their … read more

https://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/wellness/mental-health/10-subtle-signs-you-may-have-unresolved-childhood-trauma/news-story/dbdc8b8c53f8270200ea062eed49422d

  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