Our Psychology Services
We're here for you....
We are here to assist you in treating a wide range of psychological issues.
Our goal is to help you to deal effectively with cognitive, emotional, neurological, and/or behavioural difficulties, through whatever combination of acceptance, adjustment, or challenging and overcoming of obstacles is best suited to your individual circumstances.
We understand that dealing with psychological issues can be overwhelming, which is why we are here to provide you with compassionate care and and guidance for you to live a more fulfilled life.
Our psychologists use evidence-based techniques to help you cope with issues such as:
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Adjustment disorders
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Chronic pain
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Grief and Loss
Anxiety
Fear is our body’s way of keeping us safe from danger on a daily basis, and of motivating us to achieve challenges. But sometimes our fears become disproportionate to the reality of the situation, or they compound over time to develop into an Anxiety Disorder.
Anxiety can affect our ability to cope with normal challenges and to do the things we want or need to do. It can also lead to physical problems which have no obvious cause including headaches; stomach problems; muscle tension; sleep difficulties and many other individual symptoms. Some examples of Anxiety Disorders include Generalised Anxiety Disorder; Social Anxiety Disorder (social phobia); Specific Phobias; Agoraphobia; and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Anxiety Disorders often build gradually over time, and episodes of panic can appear to come out of nowhere and for no reason when you are just going about your daily life. This can make you feel powerless. However, the panic reaction at this time is your body’s natural way of preparing for danger perceived by your brain.
Due to their gradual build-up (sometimes over years) Anxiety Disorders do not usually resolve themselves. Anxiety may result in withdrawal from the people and activities that make your life unique and fulfilling. Anxiety may also lead to further conditions such as Depression and sleep disturbance.
Therefore, it can be beneficial to seek professional support, and to engage in evidence-based treatments tailored to you as an individual. Treatment is designed to help you to return to living your life.
Beyond Blue provides detailed information on Anxiety Disorders and evidence-based treatments, as well as an online mental health check-in.
Depression
Sadness is a normal emotion that we all feel when something sad happens. At these times we might cry, or sleep more, or temporarily withdraw from people and enjoyable activity.
However, if our feelings of sadness persist, they may be an indication that we are experiencing depression. Depression can affect how we think and feel, and as a result how we behave.
Negative thoughts about yourself are common in depression and can become entrenched. These thoughts can lead to low self-worth, feelings of hopelessness, and even a sense that life is not worth living.
Symptoms of depression may include low energy and motivation; reduced concentration; increased irritability; or even a general numbness to everything. Depression can lead to sleep disruption; appetite changes; other physical symptoms such as fatigue; headaches; and stomach problems; and reduced enjoyment in the activities that normally bring joy.
We may then resort to unhelpful coping mechanisms such as emotional eating; social withdrawal; or increased alcohol use, which only serve to increase our patterns of negative thinking and maintain the resulting problems.
Depression can feel lonely and isolating, so understanding that you are not alone and that there are effective medical and psychological treatments available to you is important.
For further information on depression please click on Beyond Blue, where you can also complete an online mental health check-in.
Trauma
Trauma can result from exposure to a one-off or ongoing situation which is emotionally disturbing or life-threatening and may have a lasting impact on an individual’s mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.
Trauma can lead to heightened emotions including anger and shame and can cause people to feel numb and isolated. It can result in symptoms including sleep disruption; nightmares; an increased startle reflex; and memory and concentration difficulties. Trauma is also commonly associated with depression and anxiety.
Trauma can occur at any age. However, it is particularly harmful to children’s developing brains and can have long-lasting effects. Trauma can increase the potential for engagement in risky behaviours or maladaptive coping mechanisms and can create greater susceptibility to chronic health conditions.
Protective factors such as supportive relationships with family and friends; acknowledgement of trauma; and identification of individual strengths can help people to build resilience.
Engagement in evidence-based therapy with a psychologist can provide the tools to identify sources of trauma and its ongoing triggers; to process the trauma in a safe environment; to develop positive coping mechanisms; and to increase confidence in facing challenges and achieving goals.
Sleep
Sleep is critical to physical and psychological wellbeing, being involved in growth; energy restoration; recovery from illness and injury; mood, concentration, and memory; work functioning; and social interaction.
Individuals vary in the quantity of sleep they need, with the average for an adult ranging from 6-8 hours per night. However, poor quantity or quality of sleep can cause reduced attention; irritability; impaired judgement and reaction time; relationship difficulties; and decreased processing speed and physical coordination.
A wide range of factors can cause disrupted sleep, but sometimes it can be as simple as having unrealistic expectations of what sleep should feel like. Sleep anxiety can increase sleep disruption and create a vicious cycle, leading to associated problems.
If you are having sleep difficulties, working with a psychologist can help to develop a better understanding of the natural sleep cycle, and any underlying causes of sleep problems. This can improve your ability to tune into your natural sleep urge, increasing your quality and quantity of sleep.
Anger Management
Do you often feel angry, irritated, or tense?
Does it sometimes feel like your level of anger is out of proportion to the situation?
Is your anger leading to difficulties in your work or home life?
Anger is a normal emotion that serves a purpose in motivating us to communicate our needs and to make change when necessary. But if expressed in an uncontrolled (aggressive) manner, anger can cause problems with family, friends, colleagues, or even the law.
Aggression can be displayed through yelling; swearing; silent withdrawal; or physical violence toward objects or people. Aggression can also result in physical and mental health difficulties such as high blood pressure; muscle tension; anxiety; depression; and varied dysfunctional coping mechanisms.
Anger is often related to poor communication, resulting in misunderstandings or feelings of powerlessness. Working with a psychologist can help you to develop an understanding of the particular triggers of your anger, as well as early warning signs. Psychological strategies can help you to identify and manage the thoughts, and emotional and physiological feelings that can lead to aggression, so that anger can be expressed more constructively.
