Author: laura

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 […]

Couples conflict: Why do we keep hurting each other and fighting about the same thing?

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash   Conflict is a natural and unavoidable part of intimate relationships. Conflict often has a functional purpose and can actually provide opportunities for deeper connection and understanding.  All relationships, even the most successful ones, have conflict. Gottman & Gottman’s longitudinal research on couples found that approximately 31% of couple […]

Learning Assessments: What, When, Why and How?

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash   Has it been suggested that your child undergo a learning assessment? Are you unsure what a learning assessment involves or achieves? Your Mind Matters Psychology Services is here to help!   What are Learning Assessments? Learning assessments, also referred to as educational or psychoeducational assessments, are assessments that […]

What is Play Therapy? And how can it help your child?

  “Enter into children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” -Virginia Axline   What is Play Therapy? Play Therapy is an effective and appropriate way to help children aged 2-12 years work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioural difficulties. It can help address issues faced in the family, […]