Counselling Conversations with Julie

Do you know you are not alone? Around three percent of Australians experience Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https://linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Trauma affects thinking and feeling, our entire organism. Trauma impacts relationships, and the way we look after our mental health and physical body. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https://linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Are you in a rut, feeling like you are going through the same routine day in and day out, no spark in your relationship and you feel taken for granted? Sometimes the idea of changing something different or trying something different in your relationship can seem daunting. Doing things differently will not only keep your relationship healthy but will also feed your mind, body and soul. Couples who try new experiences build their relationships closeness, trust, and communication and develop healthier patterns of behaviour.

Careers with Independence Australia Here in the Southern Hemisphere, we experienced the Winter Solstice on Friday the 21st of June, the shortest day and longest night of the year; days grow colder and the nights longer. The arrival of the solstice and the change of season may bring us different sensory feelings that may remind us of past experiences, activating our responses in unexpected ways. Less sunlight and warmth have been found to affect our moods and emotions. People often refer to their mood and emotion changes as the winter blues. The reduced level of sunlight in winter may disrupt our body’s internal clock and our levels of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) and melatonin that affects sleep and moods. Listen to the podcast for some tips and strategies if you are feeling uneasy in the cold winter days.

All behaviour is communication. It is how we act or behave in a situation or under certain conditions. We all communicate through our behaviour in different ways depending on the context. When observing behaviour it is beneficial to remember that we need to look beyond the surface of what the person is doing. Behaviour communication involves the interaction between the person, their specific situation, their environment, and the other people around them. There is always a reason for the way we behave. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Australia has approximately 4.2 million people aged 65 and over. The world's population is ageing fast, in 2020, 1 billion people are 60 years or over (WHO). Older adults come from a diverse range of ages, socioeconomic, life experiences, and lifestyle backgrounds. These factors all influence the aging process and affect health and wellbeing. References https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-data/population-groups/older-people https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults

Early life experiences are the foundation on which our attachment, connection, learning how to self-soothe, love, emotional nourishment, nurturing, nutrition, health care and security in our caregivers, the environment and ourselves are built. If there is a disruption in our early-life experiences, past hurts, comments, and unmet needs are internalised to later play out in our adult lives, often in maladaptive behaviours. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Tell me a story, parents, grandparents, carers, teachers, brothers, sisters, babysitters how many times have you heard that request? Long before printed books, our ancestors began to tell their stories by painting walls of caves, chiseling symbols into stone and elders have passed on oral stories to younger people. These stories communicated to the younger generation messages about beliefs, values, behaviour and morality. Stories can also be used therapeutically as they provide a safe distance from any challenge or issue a child may be experiencing. The metaphors in therapeutic stories disclose hidden emotions and provide a safe space where children can process them, helping them to reframe their experiences. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Much has been researched about the effects on physical and mental health and the power of positive psychology. So, what is positive psychology? Positive psychology explores how you can experience more happiness and satisfaction in your life. Doing things that make your life satisfying, meaningful moments that are filled with meaning, pleasure, positive thoughts, love and all the good feeling vibes that you need. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Motivations for exploring other relationships are an individual's thoughts that sometimes may cause an internal struggle. An internal struggle that ultimately impacts the relationship if not discussed in an honest and open conversation with their partner. There are many motivations for an individual to start thinking about exploring relationships with others whilst remaining in a healthy and mutually loving relationship. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

In Australia, there have been significant improvements in becoming mentally healthy at work, however, we have more work to do. The average person will spend approximately one-third of their life at work. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 1 in 5 Australians experience poor mental ill health over a 12 period. Mental ill health can affect anyone, of any age and background. However, with support, most people can and do recover. Achieving and maintaining good mental health and wellbeing is important for everyone. In today's podcast, we look at some ways that you can manage and maintain good mental health. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs, it brings out the most intense and powerful emotions from sheer exhilaration to frustration, exhaustion, and anguish. It is like riding an emotional roller coaster, one moment all is going well and the next it is chaos. We question ourselves about the job we are doing. Today’s podcast focuses on some tips and strategies that may be usual in stressful situations. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Have you ever had someone you care about die or know someone who has experienced the death of a loved one? Did you feel uncomfortable, not knowing what to say or do to help someone who is grieving? No one is immune from grief. Everyone at some time in their life will experience grief. Experiencing being uncomfortable in grief or being a friend or family member of someone who is grieving can be emotionally difficult. The fear of talking about death and dying can have many reasons why we are uncomfortable around the subject. Today’s podcast shares a few strategies that may help you navigate this difficult time. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Much has been written and reported about the effect on our social and brain function when using digital technology, particularly social media. From developmental stages from early childhood development to older adults, the research demonstrates there are both positive and negative benefits. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

The real world has changed for our boys and young men and in its place, a virtual world now exists. A world where their internet connections are simulated life experiences, social connection, learning, online games and sex education. A world where our young boys and men are exposed to narrow versions of masculinity, robbing them of connected, fulfilling lives. By standing together to change the narrative you can make a difference. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Historical literature tells us that women have come together from ancient times to share their knowledge, experiences, and connections. Often these celebrations of sisterhood are called Sharing Circles. Each Sharing Circle is unique and individual as the women who attend. These sharing experiences have been researched to inform wellbeing practices for women. References https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-07/ending-loneliness-together-finds-33-per-cent-australians Chomat AM, Menchú AI, Andersson N, Ramirez-Zea M, Pedersen D, Bleile A, Letona P, Araya R. Women's circles as a culturally safe psychosocial intervention in Guatemalan indigenous communities: a community-led pilot randomised trial. BMC Womens Health. 2019 Apr 3;19(1):53. doi: 10.1186/s12905-019-0744-z. PMID: 30943958; PMCID: PMC6448212. Fleming, T., Creedy, D. K., & West, R. (2020). The influence of yarning circles: A cultural safety professional development program for midwives. Women and Birth, 33(2), 175-185. Stories from the Aboriginal women of the yarning circle: When cultures collide. https://hecate.communications-arts.uq.edu.au/volume-312-2005 Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

We often carry a metaphorical suitcase of problems, worries, issues, and challenges. These thoughts and feelings may be related to many challenges in your life. Some days it is easier than others to manage these thoughts and feelings. Controlling and reasoning to problem-solve these emotions and thoughts can be difficult, especially when the day ahead is busy. This podcast will provide you with a way that may help with a short-term technique to look at your suitcase of worries differently. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Communication is the key to any successful relationship be it romantic, friend, work, or parental relationship. But have you ever wondered why conversations have not been successful? In your opinion you said the right thing and did the right thing, how did it go so wrong you ask yourself? Our verbal communication is only one of the aspects of communication. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Animal-assisted therapy is being more widely used in therapeutic settings and other environments, such as schools, aged care facilities, hospitals, therapeutic offices, military veterans and companion animals for both children and adults.  Individuals and groups have found that therapeutic experiences with animals assist in helping them cope with and recover from some mental and physical health conditions.                                    Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling

Your shadow self is a Jungian psychoanalytic concept model founded by Carl Jung, a Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist. He founded analytic psychology and proposed and developed the concepts of extraverted and introverted personality, archetypes, and collective unconscious. The shadow is the form taken by some aspects of ourselves that we dislike, the parts of ourselves that we are ashamed of, that we hide from ourselves and those around us. Thank you for joining me today. For more information please click the link to check out more of what we are doing at Beyond The Surface Counselling https:// linktr.ee/beyondthesurfacecounselling