Mediation is often considered the last stop for couples who are separating and need help disentangling their lives and working out how to divide their finances and formalise their co-parenting arrangements. However there is a lot more to mediation than meets the eye. In fact, a great many types of disputes between couples, work colleagues, neighbours and…
People with depression, one of the most common problems we see, are sometimes stuck and challenging to help change. Medications don’t help all depressed people and, even when it helps, it often comes with uncomfortable side effects and only works partially. Sometimes working with depressed people gets therapists depressed and discouraged. Bill O’Hanlon is an…
In our latest therapist success story, we interview Sydney couple therapist Melissa Ferrari to find out how she has created a successful private practice. Melissa has an interesting story because she has built her practice up from part-time work while volunteering and working in other jobs, to a thriving practice where she refers clients to…
Infidelity has a huge impact on relationships with the ripple effect affecting children, families and communities. When a couple is dealing with infidelity, the relationship is often threatened with the possibility of ending due to the deep pain and hurt that is often felt by the betrayed partner. Savannah Ellis is the founder of the…
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex disorder experienced by 2-6% of the population. BPD is often misunderstood by the public and many mental health professionals. People with Borderline have ongoing difficulty relating to other people and to the world around them. This can be very distressing for the person and for those who care for…
We live in a world today where many people feel entitled to money, fame, success and popularity. Studies are telling us that narcissism is at an all time high. But what exactly is narcissism and are we having a narcissism epidemic? What are the causes of narcissism and can anything be done to prevent a…
Many psychotherapists and counsellors I speak to in person as well as members of my counselling directory Australia Counselling, experience something I call ‘Medicare despair’. Medicare despair is a range of feelings including frustration, annoyance, hopelessness and sometimes depression. These feelings are related to the fact that counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia cannot access Medicare…
When it comes to adolescence, there’s no doubt it’s a time of enormous change and development. And for some teens and families, it’s also a time of interpersonal conflict, high emotions and challenging behaviours. Child psychiatrist Dr Dan Siegel specialises in working with teens and young people and he understands the unique challenges that adolescents have to…
Australia Counselling member Helen Larkey is a therapist who was struggling to build her private practice in an area of Australia that is saturated by therapists. She was about to go back to university to commence the long process of gaining a psychology degree, after already having completed full registration as a counsellor and psychotherapist. She…
