Five Part Wellbeing Series! Part 5: Values

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. Finally we have come to the fifth and last instalment of this blog series. It has been a wonderful experience to reflect back upon aspects of wellbeing, and to share these with my valued readers. Wellbeing is about being true to yourself and your values, it is about kindness, Read More …

Five Part Wellbeing Series! Part 3: Self Compassion

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. Welcome to the third instalment of my blog series on wellbeing. So far we have covered implementing daily relaxation and centring as a technique for bringing your attention back to the present moment. This third instalment will discuss being kind to yourself. For some people this concept may seem Read More …

Five Part Wellbeing Series: Part One

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. A survey by the Australian Psychological Society found that severe levels of stress are leading Australians to engage in risky behaviours to manage including drinking alcohol, gambling, smoking, and using recreational drugs. Being stressed makes us vulnerable, and it is concerning that so many of us are resorting to Read More …

It’s More Common Than You Think: Post Natal Depression and Post Natal Anxiety

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. Being a new parent is amazing, daunting, exciting, exhausting and much much more. The experience is different for everyone. It is often a persistent, relentless demand, you are most likely sleep deprived, and you are constantly facing new and unexpected changes in your baby. We spend our lives dreaming Read More …

Mindfulness for Managing Stress

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. You’ve never had a cup of tea like this before! Do you find yourself stressed on a regular basis? Do you get stuck going over and over things in your mind? Do you find it difficult to relax? Our lives are now so full, and we are trying to Read More …

5 Tips to Improve Sleep

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. It’s very common to worry about your sleep: “I keep waking up, I can’t fall asleep, I can’t stay asleep, I’m always tired”. Research by the Sleep Health Foundation (https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/) has found 33 to 45 per cent of Australian adults sleep either poorly or not long enough most nights. Read More …

Anxiety: There are no lions at the watering hole!

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. Most of us know what it feels like to be worried.  Worry/anxiety is a natural and important human response. We need anxiety to keep us aware of our surroundings and to sense danger. It is how we have evolved to keep ourselves safe. However, for many of us this Read More …