What are the different types of psychotherapy?
There are so many different types of psychotherapies available, how do I know which one will work for me?
You don’t until you try them.
What works for one person may not work for another and what may work for you today, may not work for you in the future. There are many variables involved. However, everyone is drawn to their own personal preference. Some of the therapies include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Play Therapy and the list goes on. Often these therapies overlap one another.
What is the difference between a psychologist and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?
So what is the difference between a psychologist and an accredited mental health social worker?
Both study at university and are involved in extensive study and work placement. Both are trained in psychotherapy and work with patients by listening and talking to them.
However, psychologists have more training in the area of psychology and social workers focus on the social and societal influences on individuals and how this impacts their life.
Within the psychology sector there are also different types of psychologists, such as counselling psychologists, clinical psychologists, sports psychologists etc. Social work also has various streams such as social workers, accredited social workers and accredited mental health social workers. Social Workers work in various settings. These can include hospitals, schools, government agencies, mental health and more.
Can Social Media make you depressed?
CAN SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU DEPRESSED?
Absolutely it can.
Although social media which includes facebook, twitter, pinterest, instgram etc was designed to entertain and inform, it appears that it can quite often have a detrimental affect.
If everyone that used social media used it in a light-hearted entertaining manner then maybe it would not be an issue.
However we have all heard of the bullying that has taken place on social media and the never ending relentless attacks that some people have been subjected to.
Rebates available
If you have a Mental Health Plan from your GP, Psychiatrist or Paediatrician you are able to claim a rebate through Medicare. Different rebates apply to different settings, therefore, if you want to know what the rebate will be, enquire when you call.
Initially the Mental Health Plan is usually for 6 sessions with the option that you may be able to obtain 4 more. The extra sessions are decided on by the GP and this can be based on the letter and referral information supplied to them by the treating provider. 
Am I depressed?
Are you depressed? There are certain signs and symptoms that can indicate you are depressed. If you are not sure, take this quiz from the Beyond Blue Organisation. The following information is taken directly from the Beyond Blue website at www.beyondblue.org.au www.beyondblue.org.au
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
You may be depressed if, for more than two weeks, you’ve felt sad, down or miserable most of the time, or have lost interest or pleasure in usual activities, and have also experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories below.
It’s important to remember that we all experience some of these symptoms from time to time, and it may not necessarily mean you’re depressed. Equally, not everyone who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms.
Behaviour
not going out anymore
not getting things done at work/school
withdrawing from close family and friends
relying on alcohol and sedatives
not doing usual enjoyable activities
unable to concentrate
Feelings
overwhelmed
guilty
irritable
frustrated
lacking in confidence
unhappy
indecisive
disappointed
miserable
sad
Thoughts
‘I’m a failure.’
‘It’s my fault.’
‘Nothing good ever happens to me.’
‘I’m worthless.’
‘Life’s not worth living.’
‘People would be better off without me.’
Physical
tired all the time
sick and run down
headaches and muscle pains
churning gut
sleep problems
loss or change of appetite
significant weight loss or gain
If you think that you or someone you know may be experiencing depression, completing our checklist is a quick, easy and confidential way to give you more insight. The checklist won’t provide a diagnosis – for that you’ll need to see a health professional – but it can help to guide you and provide a better understanding of how you’re feeling.
If you think you are suffering from depression, then call and make an appointment 0437 329985
Are you worried about a family member?
Are you concerned for a loved one?
It is very difficult to watch someone you care about suffering. This could be from an addiction such as drugs or alcohol or gambling, or over-spending or a number of other things. So what can we do? Do we just wait for them to ask for help or do we approach them and talk to them about our concerns?
Anyone that has been in this position knows this is not a straight forward answer. It depends a lot on the kind of relationship you have with the person, where the person is at. That is are they ready to acknowledge their addiction or are they still living in denial. It is true that it is very difficult to help someone when they do not want it or are not ready for it. Hence when someone approaches you and says they are struggling, that is a great time to do something about it. Do not wait. If you wait, there is a risk that this time will pass and you will not get the opportunity for some time.
One of the things that people need to know is that no one can control what someone else is doing, however that does not mean we do nothing. Some of the things that we can do are as follows:_
Seek counselling for ourselves in learning how to manage our own feelings and emotions around it.
- Seek out information in relation to the loved one’s problem. For example, if someone has a drug addiction, get as much information as you can in relation to drug addiction as you can. Locate phone numbers that they can call when they feel they need help. Find out where a detox center is and what the process is to get them into one. Learn about how rehabilitation works and where they are and how much they cost etc.
Apply the same principal of no 2 to any problem.
How do you deal with rejection?
How do you deal with rejection?
No one likes to feel rejected for whatever reason it may be. Often the rejection will trigger past hurts and rejections and compound how you are feeling. The feeling of not being enough is an empty, lonely and often humiliating experience. One that can see people do things that they normally would not do or say things they would not say. It can feel like a fight for survival. To know that you are ok. So here are some tips on what to do when faced with that feeling of rejection.
1. Give yourself time to grieve over the loss.
2. Be kind to yourself.
3. Surround yourself with people you know care and will support you.
4. Talk to the right people.
5. Do something that you like to do.
6. Write down all the good things that have happened to help take your mind off the current negative situation. It is only one and needs to be put in context.
7. Give yourself credit for taking chances, for getting in and having a go. Ok it may not work out the way you hoped but something else is always around the corner.
8. Remember the old say “One door shuts and another one opens.”
9. Remind yourself that the rejection is not a reflection of you as a person. Try not to take it personally.
10. Have faith and believe in yourself. Be your own best friend and know you are worthy.
Desiderata
The following poem by Max Ehrmann written in 1927 is as true today as it was then. There is a lot of wisdom in this poem and one that requires some quiet reflection. Something to ponder on……….
DESIDERATA
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As fas as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid, loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labor and aspirations in the noisy infusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Should I get counselling?
You know often people ask themselves “Should I get counselling?” If you can answer “Yes” to most of the questions below, then I would suggest that counselling may really help you. Counselling may consist of 1 session or many. Depends on what the issue is.
- Do you feel you need to talk to someone?
- Would you prefer that someone to be objective and not someone that may be biased towards the outcome?
- Do you struggle with knowing how to deal with whatever issue it is? It could be a relationship difficulty or an anxiety issue or not knowing what to do?
- Would you like the someone you talk to, to have life and professional experience?
- Is it important to you that you can speak confidentially without fear that others will find out?
- Would you like to learn strategies that you could use to help you feel better?
- Is it important to you that you have someone listen to you and your concerns without passing judgement on you or telling you what to do?
- Have you tried to solve this problem on your own without success?
- Would you like some help and are you prepared to pay for the help?
If you have answered “Yes” to more than 4 of the above questions, then you may want to seriously consider getting counselling.