Did you know that you can get better at something, simply by just IMAGINING yourself doing it? I’m not kidding you; it’s a process called ‘visualisation.’ It’s like having a rehearsal in your mind. So how does this work? The answer is neural plasticity. I know it might sound quite science-y and complex, but it's [...]
No one asks to be injured. One of the most difficult psychological factors is adjusting to what an injury means, in terms of limitations caused by the injury and what being injured stops you from doing. People often describe feeling frustrated and becoming a bit “stir crazy” when they’re unable to do the activities they [...]
We don’t always eat to just satiate our hunger. Sometimes we use food to meet emotional needs, or to relieve stress and boredom, or to cope with unpleasant emotions like sadness, anger, loneliness, frustration – the list can be long. Emotional eating provides a release from discomfort and gives a brief sense of relief or [...]
The usefulness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is such a mouthful that it is easy to understand why we shorten it to EMDR. What is EMDR and what is it used for? EMDR is a psychotherapy treatment developed in 1987 by American psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro that [...]
A few years ago I was on a week long cruise in the Kimberley with a number of other couples, and there were some minor misunderstandings between couples. We joked about how it would be so helpful if their other half could just read their mind. At the time apps were emerging as a relatively [...]
Recently, Lisa Irving, Clinical Psychologist was asked to be the speaker for an event for the Australian Rehab Providers Association on the topic of Motivational Interviewing. (She aimed to keep people interested and get a few laughs and has been joking since that she might become a comedian yet!) Lisa shared her experiences and knowledge [...]
Often we make the decision that we would like to make changes or undertake new resolutions only to have them fail not long after we try the changes. I recall a famous quote by Mark Twain; ‘Giving up smoking is the easiest thing I’ve ever done, I’ve done it hundreds of times’. So what can [...]
Ok, so I might be a little late on the train, but I’ve still made it. Recently (say the last 12 months or so) I have seen a rise in carbs copping some bad wrap when it comes to dieting. I thought this phase was over with the fall of the Atkins dieting craze back [...]
Remember Ross and Rachel from Friends? Remember the “we were on a break” fight that came up time and again for season upon season? Check it out if you want to reminisce or if the 1990s weren’t your heyday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEn9YvJ3Gfg. Let’s face it, everybody gets angry and everybody argues with their partner. When done [...]
The connection between Mind and Body has been clear for some time. Our mental health can affect all parts of our life - our relationships at home and work, our self esteem and our physical health. Just like keeping our physical health in good condition there are strategies we can easily add to our day [...]
