Tag - perthpsychology

What Do Most People Get Wrong About OCD? By Susan George

Picture this: Just as you're getting ready to head out for a crucial appointment, you can't seem to rid yourself of the nagging worry that you forgot to turn off the iron. You check once, twice, three times - each time knowing it's off, but unable to trust your own eyes. Your hands are clammy, your pulse is rapid, and you're...

Coping with the Loss of a Dream: How to Rebuild Your Life By Susan George

Understanding the Grief of Lost Dreams

Losing a dream often brings about an intense emotional response akin to grief. Just like grieving the loss of a loved one, grieving for a dream goes through phases of denial, anger, bargaining, despair, and finally acceptance. While frequently linked to other forms of mourning, these phases also apply when dealing with the loss of...

Empowering Change: Community-Driven Initiatives to Combat Gender-Based Violence By Susan George

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world today. It cuts across all socio-economic classes, ethnicities, religions and age groups. The statistics surrounding gender-based violence in Australia are staggering and remind us that no community is immune to this issue. Violence against women is preventable.   According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics,...

Breaking Barriers: Destigmatising Mental Health Conversations By Susan George

Despite its undeniable importance, discussing mental health often invokes discomfort and apprehension in our society. Why is it that something so fundamental to our existence remains shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding? Conversations surrounding emotional well-being are frequently dismissed or avoided, perpetuating a culture of silence, shame and misunderstanding. These barriers not only impede open dialogue but also deter individuals from...

Parenting with Patience: Overcoming the Urge to Yell and Building Healthy Communication By Susan George

Parenting is undoubtedly one of life's most rewarding experiences, but it also presents unique challenges that can test even the most composed individuals. From managing toddler tantrums to navigating the complexities of adolescent rebellion, there are numerous situations that can push parents to their limits, making it tempting to resort to yelling or harsh language. Yelling is a subject that...

How to Overcome Lack of Motivation By Susan George

Everybody has experienced feeling unmotivated at some point in their lives. Although every person may experience various roadblocks to motivation, the underlying struggle is something we all can relate to. Knowing what's causing your motivational low is the first step towards addressing it and gaining your drive restored.    Our levels of motivation can be influenced by a wide range of aspects...

Martin Seligman’s Theory of Learned Helplessness: Implications for Motivation By Susan George

Have you ever felt stuck and unable to escape a difficult situation, even when a solution was possible? This phenomenon is  known as learned helplessness. Learned helplessness occurs when an individual faces challenging situations but feels incapable of finding solutions, even if they are readily available. Those struggling with learned helplessness often express frequent complaints, feeling overwhelmed and powerless to...

PERMA: A Practical Model for Improving Well-Being By Susan George

Happiness and wellbeing can seem fleeting. We strive for them, yet they are often realised only in hindsight. Though most agree well-being is essential, our culture and competing priorities don't always align with experiencing it.   Martin Seligman, a pioneer in positive psychology, put forth the PERMA model outlining five building blocks of human flourishing. PERMA provides a framework beyond just feeling...

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 dress...

Do You Find The Holiday Season Stressful? Or Perhaps Are Feeling Lonely? By Susan George

Introduction

In the midst of the festive season, where joy and togetherness are celebrated, trees adorned with twinkling lights, windows decorated with Christmas ornaments, classic films airing on every channel, and carols echoing through the streets—all these holiday symbols have the power to evoke the most wonderful emotions. However, they can also feel oppressive when we’re finding it difficult to...