Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of Australians, yet understanding the most effective treatment options is still evolving. Recent updates from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and Phoenix Australia’s national treatment guidelines highlight EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) as one of the gold-standard, evidence-based treatments for trauma and PTSD. At Darvell Psychology in Belmont, Read More …

Childhood experiences shape the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. For some people, difficult or traumatic experiences in childhood can leave deep emotional scars that continue to affect relationships, self-esteem, and mental health well into adulthood. At Darvell Psychology in Belmont, Geelong, psychodynamic psychotherapy provides a safe, supportive space to process Read More …

Psychodynamic therapy is one of the oldest and most well-established forms of psychological treatment, and it continues to play an important role in modern mental health care. At Darvell Psychology in Belmont, Geelong, psychodynamic psychotherapy is a central approach used to support clients in creating lasting change. A Brief History of Psychodynamic Therapy Psychodynamic therapy Read More …

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often thought of as a childhood condition that primarily affects boys. However, more women are now being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, sometimes after years—or even decades—of struggling without answers. Research shows that women are consistently underdiagnosed with ADHD, and this delay can bring up not only relief but also grief. Read More …

Most of us carry memories that feel “stuck.” They might pop up when we least expect them — a flashback, a wave of panic, or a sudden sadness that feels overwhelming. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy designed to help people heal from those experiences and feel more at peace Read More …

Despite decades of progress toward gender equality, many women still shoulder a disproportionate share of domestic and emotional labour within households. The root cause isn’t just poor time management or differing personalities—it’s deeply embedded societal norms, often upheld by subtle or overt misogyny and longstanding assumptions about gender roles. These patterns are causing a silent Read More …

By Jessica Darvell (Clinical Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. 2020 is an unprecedented year. We are all affected in different ways, but for everyone this is not shaping up to be the year we had thought we would be having. Our lives have changed, our plans have changed, and our mental health has changed. I listen to Read More …

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 …

By Jessica Darvell (Psychologist). MPsych(Clin.),GradDipPsych, BCom/BSc. Welcome to the fourth instalment of my wellbeing blog series. In prior blogs we have discussed the importance of implementing daily relaxation, and techniques for centring ourselves. We have also explored the idea of self-compassion and finding a way to be kinder to ourselves. This week is about how Read More …

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 …