We have all had moments where we have felt overwhelmed and dysregulated. Swamped by big feelings and emotions, it can feel like they have control of our body, rather than the other way round. For children, this can be a particularly scary experience, and they can struggle to calm down. Teaching children about how their […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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, […]
Image source: https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/post/understanding-neurodiversity What Is Neurodiversity? In recent years, the neurodiversity movement has become increasingly prominent. Coined in the 1990s by Australian sociologist Judy Singer, the concept of neurodiversity acknowledges and embraces neurological differences i.e., variations in the way in which individuals interpret, process, and learn information. Neurodiversity can be broken down into […]
Photo by Aditya Romansa on Unsplash Parenthood tends to be talked about in glowingly positive terms. It is described as a beautiful, natural part of life that is all sweetness and light. In this glowing description of parenthood, it is important to remember that having a baby is a big change in life and […]
Do you identify with any of the following? Feel overly responsible for the emotional needs of others Insecure about depending on others Guilty in the face of attempting to prioritise your own needs Struggle with drawing boundaries Often feel like you are not doing enough for others If you endorsed any of the above, could […]
As parents, it’s our desire to want to give our kids the best. We expect a lot from ourselves to be the best parent for them and hope that we are able to raise them healthy and well. The way we parent our children is very much affected by how we were raised as a […]
Regardless of your child’s age group, the transition back to school for the start of a new year can be anxiety provoking. This year, in addition to all the usual stress experienced at the start of the year, kids are facing new and unique challenges. Whilst older children are usually better able to rationalise the […]
For some families, having a diagnosis that explains their child’s speech, behavioural and emotional issues is a relief. However, for others, it may be a complete shock and a rather challenging issue to come to terms with. From a psychologist’s point of view (for me at least), a diagnosis is actually a positive turning point […]