GP referrals and Mental Health Care Plans are accepted by our Perth psychologists. What is a Mental Health Care Plan? A Mental Health Care Plan is part of the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative. This is a government initiative which aims to improve outcomes for people with clinically-diagnosed mental disorder through evidence based treatments. … Read more
Coping with the change It is a huge change becoming a parent for the first time and also after each newborn child. While your newborn brings much joy to the immediate and extended family, there will undoubtedly be times when the going gets tough. As time moves on, particularly during the first 12 months after … Read more
For many women and their families, having a baby is the most significant life-changing event they will ever experience. Pregnancy and early parenthood depression and anxiety can happen at any time – but we know women are more likely to experience these during pregnancy and the year following birth. Postnatal depression (PND) is a common … Read more
Support in bipolar disorder recovery is important. People with bipolar disorder do better when they have support from family members and friends. Those whose loved ones are involved and supportive tend to recover more quickly, experience fewer manic and depressive episodes, and have milder symptoms. Tips for coping with bipolar disorder in the family Accept … Read more
Exercise has been known to provide a vast variety of benefits, boosting both physical and psychological wellbeing. It has positive effects on mood, self-esteem, happiness, and wellbeing by increasing the feel-good chemicals in the brain called endorphins (dopamine and serotonin). This release has also been associated with the prevention of, management and treatment of depression. Exercise … Read more
A person may be experiencing symptoms of depression if, for more than two weeks, he or she has felt sad, down or miserable most of the time or has lost interest or pleasure in usual activities. Depression can affect thoughts, feelings, behaviour and physical health. It’s important to note that everyone experiences some of these … Read more
Depression impacts 1 in 5 Australians at some stage during their lifetime and it is often difficult to know how to help someone who needs treatment for depression. The depression may be a reaction to a negative life event, for example the loss of a job, however it may also be a more severe clinical depression. Whatever … Read more
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness. But not everyone feels happy at Christmas. Special Holidays like Christmas can make depression even harder to bear. These are all things that can make you feel worse and are likely to come to the forefront at Christmas time: Family tensions Loneliness Isolation Money … Read more
Retirement is a time, for most people, of looking forward to more freedom, more leisure time and maybe even time to enjoy all those hobbies you have always wanted to take up! Although retirement can be all of this and more, it can also be a time of loss. Loss of work/career Loss of work … Read more
When most of us think about addiction, we think about dependence on a substance, such as alcohol or drugs. Not many people associate addiction as an addiction to a behaviour. Types of Behavioural Addictions There are many behavioural addictions that are prevalent in society today (some more severe than others), such as: Sex addiction Internet … Read more
