Psychology Practice

What Drives You? Understanding Motivation Types By Susan George

Motivation is the fuel that propels us forward, the driving force behind our actions and decisions. It's that inner spark that ignites our ambition, perseverance, and determination. But what exactly is motivation, and what are the different types that influence our behaviour? In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of motivation, consider various types, and shed light on...

ADHD and Executive Functioning: Navigating Daily Challenges By Susan George

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact a person's ability to regulate behaviour and attention. One of the core deficits associated with ADHD is impaired executive functioning. As we discussed in a previous post on neurodiversity and executive functioning, executive functions are cognitive processes that help us with planning, organisation, managing time,...

Navigating Gender Identity Exploration in the Early Adolescence By Susan George

Gender identity development is complex, personal, and unique to each individual. For some, it’s a smooth trajectory that aligns with their sex assigned at birth. For others, it’s a winding path of questioning, exploration, and discovery. As a parent, you may notice your pre-teen or early adolescent child expressing curiosity about gender. They may ask questions, explore different forms of...

What Psychological Factors Contribute to the Addictive Behaviours of Excessive Social Media Use? By Susan George

Introduction In the digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering connection, information, and entertainment. However, for some, these platforms can become a source of addictive behaviours, causing negative consequences in various aspects of life. To delve into the psychological factors that contribute to this addiction, we need to explore why people turn...

How Do Senior Adults Cope with Loneliness? By Susan George

In a world where unprecedented connectivity allows plans to be made, rearranged, or cancelled within minutes through texting alone, and the ability to converse with loved ones even continents away, occurs simply via “WhatsApp or Messenger”, the irony remains that a significant prevalence of social isolation and loneliness persists among elderly Australians over 65yrs. Is Being Alone the Same as...

How Do I Know That I Have Social Anxiety Or Am I Just Shy? By Susan George

Do you find yourself anxious about being judged by others? Are you frequently self-conscious in typical social scenarios? Does the thought of meeting new people make you fearful or uneasy? If these emotions have persisted for a minimum of 6 months and are interfering with your ability to perform everyday activities, like engaging with colleagues or classmates, you might...

What is Self-Compassion and How Can it Improve Our Mental-Wellbeing? By Susan George

We all have experiences in life that are difficult, painful, or challenging. Our internal voice can be harsh, judging us for our perceived shortcomings and mistakes. Instead of getting caught up in self-criticism or negative thinking patterns, self-compassion encourages us to approach ourselves with kindness and explore constructive ways to address our challenges. As Dr Kristin Neff (Educational Psychologist) states,...

Discover How Mindfulness Skills Can Transform Your Sleep Quality By Susan George

Are you struggling with falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you find that your mind is constantly racing, making it nearly impossible to get a good night's rest? You are not alone. Research shows that inadequate sleep is a common issue for four out of every ten Australians.  Sleep is incredibly important for our physical and mental health. Yet, sometimes...

How do you Foster a more Inclusive Society: To Combat Mental Health Stigmatisation? By Susan George

Mental health stigmatisation poses a significant obstacle for individuals grappling with various mental health conditions, such as PTSD, schizophrenia, severe depression, and many others. Stigma, fuelled by misconceptions, fear, and negative stereotypes, results in discrimination and social exclusion  - something we often hear from our clients. Overcoming this challenge and creating an inclusive society demands collaborative efforts from individuals,...

Masking in Autism and its Consequences By Jess & James

What is masking? Masking is the effort that is put in by people with autism to appear neurotypical – to “fit in”. While masking is very apparent in autism, it is important to note that many other neurodiverse conditions e.g. ADHD etc involve masking too. Some examples of masking include: Forcing or faking eye contact during conversations Imitating smiles and...