Adolescence is the peak age of onset for many mental health conditions, with half of all mental disorders usually starting by mid-teens. Despite the increased awareness of mental health issues through a number of initiatives, almost a quarter of Australian teenagers exhibit symptoms of mental illness. How Adolescents Can Deal with Stress and Improve Mental […]
Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by episodes of depression and mania. You may know this condition by its former title, “manic-depression”. Like any physical health condition, sharing a diagnosis of a mental health condition with family and friends is of paramount importance. Given the nature of bipolar disorder, where depressive episodes may contribute […]
Procrastination is the term used to define the act of avoiding or putting something off. We can all relate to holding off on doing something. Putting a task off occasionally is not so much a problem, as when we begin to do this on a regular basis. For example, putting off your washing for a […]
I have so many parents asking me about screen time these days and what is and isn’t okay, so I figured I’d share my thoughts with you based on a)research and b)feedback and comments from clients I’ve worked with. Screen time relates to the time spent on a screen – this could be the television, […]
Most of us experience stress at some point in our life and some experience other mental health issues during their lifetime. So when do you know you might need to find some help for a mental health issue? Stigma has long been a barrier, but now more and more people readily access therapy and discuss […]
Individuals on the Autism Spectrum often experience differences in the way they process sensory experiences. They typically experience sensory input more intensely than others. There can be a need for extra sensory input, or a need to reduce the sensory input that is being experienced intensely. This is for all types of senses. The pattern of sensory needs varies […]
Having worked with children with a range of varying needs, one thing I have noticed is that parents often forget to take care of themselves as they prioritise their children’s needs over theirs. It’s important that parents care for themselves – first, for their own well-being, but also because any effort they put into […]
When seeing a psychologist, you may wonder what information remains confidential. Psychologists are bound by ethical guidelines, the APS Code of Ethics, and this includes protecting a client’s privacy by not disclosing the content of therapy. There are some limits to confidentiality, which means that the psychologist will need to breach your privacy in situations […]
MINDFULNESS – WHAT IS IT, AND HOW CAN I DO IT? You’ve probably heard the words “mindful” or “mindfulness”, but perhaps you aren’t quite sure what this means, or how to engage in mindful behaviours. What Is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is simply the awareness that arises when we deliberately pay attention, non-judgmentally, to what is happening […]
Anxiety is a normal part of children’s development, but children and teenagers with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can experience anxiety more intensely and more often than other children. Anxiety or autism spectrum disorder? Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) feel many of the same worries and fears as other children. But […]