The Difference Between a Psychologist and a Counsellor
You’re struggling with an issue and want someone objective to talk to about it. Should you see a psychologist or a counsellor? While a psychologist and counsellor might seem similar in many regards, there are some fundamental differences between the two professions. If you’re seeking to improve your mental health, it will help you to become familiar with these differences to assess which professional may be able to help you best. Time spent studying/ training Counsellors typically study for a lot shorter period than psychologists and can have done anywhere from a 3-day course to a master’s level degree. However,…
5 Ways Anxiety Can Affect Your Relationship
Everyone experiences some form of anxiety, but those that suffer from generalised anxiety disorder (or any other anxiety-related mental illness) are prone to having their relationships affected by their disorder. Here are some of the ways it impacts your interactions with your partner. Overly dependent It’s always a good thing when you spend time with your partner, and they make you feel safe and at ease. If you have an anxiety disorder, you might find that these feelings disappear when you aren’t with your partner. This can be a sign that your anxiety is causing you to fret when they…
How A Mental Health Plan Can Help You Access Psychology Sessions
Reclaiming your mental well-being is now much easier with a mental health plan that allows you to access and get rebates on selected psychology sessions. Whether it’s depressive thoughts, mood disorders or anxiety, the fear of being judged and the cost can drive those battling to cope with a mental illness away from psychologists and counsellors. But, accessing a mental health plan through your GP is showing a turn-around, with glowing testimonials from patients. In fact, more than 1.2 million Australians used mental health treatment plans in the 2016-2017 financial year. What exactly is a mental health plan? Anyone with…
Image-Based Abuse Explained
Imagine having your face photo-shopped onto someone else's naked body and it appearing in a pornographic film. Or an ex-partner sharing personal photos of you on the internet without your consent. These are real stories of image-based abuse which is prevalent in Australia. According to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, about one in five Australians aged between 16-49 have experienced some form of image-based abuse, but it is more likely to happen to women aged between 18-24. Image-based abuse is the sharing of images without obtaining the consent of the person pictured and it is also referred to as…
How To Build A Healthy Co-parenting Relationship
If you have found yourself separated or divorced from your partner, the most important thing you can do is keep your relationship amicable for your child’s wellbeing. Co-parenting takes some careful work – it’s a relationship that takes time and effort to build, even if it means drawing up a plan and setting some ground rules. Ultimately, it is about creating a healthy and happy environment where your child can flourish with the love of both parents – and that should be non-negotiable. Here are eight simple steps to achieving the perfect co-parenting environment: Have a schedule – From school…
How To Tell If Low Self Esteem Is Affecting Your Relationship
Low self-esteem can erode personal relationships through feelings of insecurity that give rise to needless arguments. Do you feel less than worthy? Are you afraid to ask for help from others, worried that you may be inconveniencing them? Or, you would rather sacrifice your needs in favour of someone else’s? Low self-esteem is not an uncommon occurrence, but it is important to find help to redress negative self-worth or else it will hurt your relationships. Can you identify with any of these low self-esteem issues that may be causing problems in your relationships? You feel you don’t deserve better, so…
How To Tell If Your “Casual” Drinking Is Actually Alcohol Addiction
Are you worried that you are drinking more than you should be? Is alcohol dictating your life? It is easy to blur the lines between casual drinking and an actual alcohol addiction especially when drinking is a large part of Australian social culture. Being alcohol dependent is a physical or psychological impulse to consume alcohol. Here are a few common signs that may indicate that your drinking has become a problem and it is time to seek professional help. 5 mental signs of alcohol addiction: Your first thought upon waking up in the morning is about drinking alcohol. You need…
5 Questions You Should Ask Your Psychologist Before Your First Session
Careful consideration in choosing the right psychologist is key to you attaining the best results for your mental health. This is because there are many different approaches and styles to psychotherapy and you need to find the match that best fits in with your needs. To help you in your search for the right fit, first determine the reason you are seeking the help of a psychologist. Is it to seek help with anger management issues, social anxiety, overcoming addictive behaviours or relationship problems? Once you’ve clarified the nature of the problem, you can then look for a psychologist who…
How To Tell If Your Anger Is Affecting Your Children
Every parent feels overwhelmed from time to time, and those feelings can lead to anger; you’re only human, after all. But there’s a big difference between occasional frustration and constant anger. The latter can have a severe impact on your children’s development – both emotionally and intellectually. Are you an angry parent? Do you lose your temper often – perhaps even every day? Do you lose control or engage in destructive behavior when you get mad? Is your anger affecting your loved ones’ behavior? Types of anger: When a parent has anger-control issues, the atmosphere of the home is pervaded…
Why You Should See A Couple’s Counsellor If You’re Separated
Some view a trial separation as the next step on the path to an inevitable divorce. But separation gives many couples space and distance to work through personal issues, gain clarity and de-escalate the conflict. Just because a marriage is in a bad state, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. If separated couples use this time to seek counseling, they will gain valuable insights into whether or not divorce is the answer. When you’ve decided to separate, both you and your spouse are likely to be extremely emotional, experiencing feelings of anger, frustration, sadness, and loss. Turning to friends and family…
What To Do If You Think You Have PTSD
When you’ve been through a traumatic and frightening event, it’s normal to feel shocked and anxious for a couple of weeks afterwards. You may even have trouble sleeping and be more irritable than usual. But if time passes and several months later, you still can’t shake the depression, anxiety and insomnia, are having flashbacks to the event, and are unable to live a normal life, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The only way to find out if you have PTSD is to talk to a qualified mental health professional. Of course, you can also talk to a trusted…
How Anxiety Can Heighten Your Phobias
What’s the difference between being fearful and having a phobia – and aren’t they the same thing? No, they’re not. If your heart beats a little faster at the thought of entering your unlit bedroom at night, you are afraid of the dark. You’ll probably rush over to the light switch and then carry on as usual. Someone who has Nyctophobia – an extreme fear of the dark or the night – will be paralysed with fear and break out in a sweat, their heart rate will increase dramatically. They won’t be able to move. What starts out as anxiety…