Author: laura

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): What is it? And how can we support individuals with a PDA profile?

Image source: https://sunshine-support.org/resources/#infographics   What is Pathological Demand Avoidance Pathological demand avoidance, or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA)*, is an anxiety-driven need for control and resistance to demands/expectations that threaten a sense of autonomy. Whilst everyone experiences demand avoidance at times (e.g., refusing to complete homework or household chores), for individuals with PDA, everyday demands […]

Understanding and Managing Children’s Challenging Behaviours – For parents

Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash   Have you ever experienced the challenge of navigating a teenager’s sudden outbursts or trying to calm a younger child’s meltdown in a crowded store? It’s a common scenario for many parents.   Understanding why the challenging behaviour occurs Psychologist Ross Greene’s Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach emphasises […]

Working through trauma from a schema therapy lens

Photo by Aditya Saxena on Unsplash   My previous blog aimed at providing a brief overview of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. Click here to read more: https://yourmindmatters.net.au/a-brief-overview-of-trauma-and-posttraumatic-stress-disorder/. This blog focuses on how therapy can aid in processing past traumatic or upsetting experiences.   There is an abundance of research on various modalities for working […]

Breaking the Cycle: Why Avoidance Behaviours Lead to More Avoidance

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash   Anxiety can be an uncomfortable and distressing feeling that we want to get rid of. This can lead to making choices that will alleviate our anxiety in the quickest way. Avoidance behaviours can encompass a wide range of physical and mental actions, from procrastination and refusing to think […]

Coping with the Stress of Year 12’s Final Semester with Strategies for Success

Photo by Windows on Unsplash   The final year of high school, Year 12, is a crucial period in a student’s academic journey. It’s a time filled with academic pressures, applications for further study for some, and the looming sense of transition into adulthood. Coping with the stress of the year 12’s final semester is […]

Understanding the function of an eating disorder (Infographic)

  Please note: the following infographic has been designed to help readers better understand eating disorders and why some are so difficult to manage. Each case is different, and requires tailored intervention. However, if you’ve ever wondered why someone may develop an eating disorder, and struggle to free themselves from it, this may provide some […]

The Craving Cycle: A CBT Concept for Managing Addiction

Photo by Külli Kittus on Unsplash   In psychological therapy, we’re almost always looking to make progress. This often comes back to behaviour change – i.e., how we’ll behave differently in the face of difficult situations and feelings. In therapy targeting addiction, our behavioural goal is basic but difficult – we want to cease the […]

Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Image source: helpguide.org   What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? Maybe you’ve heard someone refer to themselves as having “OCD” or being “OCD” about certain things like cleanliness or orderliness. In reality, OCD is a mental illness that can dramatically impact someone’s life. OCD is characterised by the presence of intrusive and unwanted thoughts, ideas or […]