Articles
-
What is the WISC-IV?
Often when a child is being assessed for academic difficulties or giftedness, the WISC-IV will be administered amongst a collection of psychological tests with similarly ambiguous acronyms. The aim of this article is to provide some clarity about the content and purpose of this commonly used assessment. The goal is to demystify part of the…
-
What is the WIAT-II?
Often when a child is being assessed for academic difficulties or giftedness, the WIAT-II will be administered amidst a range of psychological tests with similarly ambiguous acronyms. The aim of this article is to provide some clarity about the content and purpose of this commonly used assessment. The goal is to demystify part of the…
-
What is the WAIS-IV?
Often when a person is being assessed for academic or occupational difficulties, the WAIS-IV will be administered amidst a range of psychological tests with similarly ambiguous acronyms. The aim of this article is to provide some clarity about the content and purpose of this commonly used assessment. The goal is to demystify part of the…
-
Mental Health Canberra
Public Service is a Sacrifice: Mental Health Problems in the Workplace When joining the workforce in Canberra, there is usually one major decision, public service or private sector? There are many pros to working in public service. Knowing that you are helping serve your community, country, and neighbours can build a sense of personal satisfaction.…
-
Impact of Vicarious Exposure to Traumatic Events on Mental Health
The problem of vicarious trauma: limit your exposure to traumatic events in the news. Have you ever stopped and thought about how often you expose yourself to traumatic images and stories? Most of us don’t even think about the exposure because it is so entrenched into our daily lives. The murder mysteries, violent action films…
-
Common Traits of Adult ADHD
Do I have Adult ADHD? It is no secret that Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has become a common discussion point amongst school aged children. The rate of diagnosis has been increasing in recent years. So what is the deal with this increase and ADHD phenomenon? Well, there are multiple theories as to why there…
-
Positive Psychology 101
Positive Psychology is a branch of psychology is often summarised by the phrase ‘Oh, you think happy thoughts!’… While that description isn’t necessarily wrong, it oversimplifies a powerful form of psychology that can be a powerful tool in improving your overall happiness. Let’s unpack what positive psychology has to offer and how we can begin…
-
What exactly is Borderline Personality Disorder?
There are so many misconceptions about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It is often used in everyday conversation in reference to individuals who appear to have split personalities or intense mood swings. Sadly, it is typically used as a joke or in passing, but this casual jargon can be incredibly confusing for anyone questioning whether or…
-
When ‘Thinking Positive’ is Not Enough
We have all heard the advice of ‘Hey, just think positive!’ or seen those cheesy little posters that say ‘If you dream it, you can do it!’. Positive psychology is rooted in the fact that thinking optimistically can be used as a tool to improve your wellbeing. There are tons of anecdotes that explain the…
-
Can the Media Interfere with our Expectations and Skills in Relationships?
Relationship expectations are the values and ideals people hold about relationships, as well as the behaviours people expect their partners to exhibit. Relationships are complex, and so it is natural for people (particularly those with limited relationship experience) to look to examples of how to behave. Given the prevalence of the media in modern life,…
-
Five Tips for Getting Through a Relationship Breakup
The breakup of a romantic relationship is one of the most emotionally difficult experiences a person will go through. It is associated with very high levels of emotional distress and, from a biological perspective, is followed by the overflow of stress chemicals released by the brain. These chemical changes are so strong that they often…
-
Caring for Someone with Borderline Personality Disorder
Does your partner struggle to trust you? Do you feel as though your loved one is constantly testing your relationship? Does your relationship feel like a rollercoaster? These are common struggles within relationships, but they may be an indication of a personality disorder called Borderline Personality Disorder. What exactly is Borderline Personality Disorder? Borderline Personality…
-
Guidelines for setting effective rules
Do you find that your children are constantly pushing the boundaries? Do you find yourself exhausted after trying to get your child to cooperate? While it is normal for children to test the boundaries set by parents and other authority figures, it is important for children to learn that boundaries are set for a reason.…
-
Stress: How to Manage (or even Benefit from) It
To find out more about what stress actually is and how it can affect our body, check-out our previous blog post ‘What is Stress and how does it Affect our Body?’. Some of our body’s reaction to stress (i.e. faster heart rate and breathing, and higher blood oxygen and sugar levels), is often referred to…
-
What is stress and how can it affect our body?
‘I’m feeling stressed out’ or ‘I’m a bit stressed at the moment with …’ are phrases we often hear. Though what actually is stress and how does it affect us? It is important to acknowledge that stress is a normal and natural part of living a full and meaningful life. We all encounter some level…
-
Going from Good to Great in Your Relationship
Having a good relationship can help you feel anchored, secure and focused. But having a great relationship can be truly inspirational. For those wanting to achieve a greater depth of connection, vision and expression, couples counselling can offer the support you need to get there. Identifying the strengths in your relationship and finding ways to…
-
Top Reasons for Divorce – How to Prevent it From Happening to You
We all want to know the top reasons for divorce. Lack of intimacy, poor communication, disagreements on issues such as money, politics, religion and raising children. These are all factors that, if not addressed, may lead to marriage breakdown. Seeking marriage counselling for help before these issues get out of hand could not only save…
-
The Little Things Happy Couples Do Every Day
Once you have established a committed relationship, there are certain things you can do to support growth, happiness and longevity. Do not be concerned if these things don’t spring instantly to mind. It is perfectly natural for relationship maintenance to take some thought and a little effort. It can be easy to forget or overlook…
-
Is It Meant To Be? 5 Things to Look for When Considering a Long Term Relationship
Nobody can look solely to another person to meet all of his or her needs. To be truly present in another’s life, we must first learn to fulfil ourselves. However, once a union has been formed, there are certain dynamics that can make for a happier, longer-lasting relationship. Knowing what to look for and seeking…
-
Qualities of a Soul Mate
While the world around us has altered enormously, one thing that has not changed is the quest for happiness through romantic love. The modern age, with its many distractions and choices, presents us with the challenge of cultivating awareness if we are to find a life partner whom we can call a soul mate. So…
-
Making the Most of Couples Counselling
For many of us, the idea of seeking help in the form of relationship counselling may be met with resistance. This is natural. As humans, the feeling of not being in control makes us uncomfortable. Society generally teaches us to keep our feelings to ourselves and solve our own problems. But times have changed, and…