How to manage your anxiety with the coronavirus – COVID-19 situation
All week in therapy sessions, I have witnessed stress, fear and anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of my clients have begun their session with, “I’m not doing very well”. At this time it is normal to feel anxious and …
Should Step-Parents Discipline?
One of the hardest parenting gigs is being a step-parent. They often find themselves expected to do parenting chores such as running kids to soccer or enduring kid-friendly dinners. They may be expected to put up with attitude from teenagers and share the …
How do I introduce my children to a new partner?
You have separated. Maybe just newly separated. And you have met somebody else. But your children don’t know. Your ex doesn’t know either. And you are not sure how to introduce your children to your new partner, or how you should involve …
My family doesn’t believe I was sexually abused
There are many different types of sexual abuse and assault. But every single act of sexual abuse or assault leaves an imprint on the brain, and every survivor is left with ongoing trauma. There is further trauma when the abuse has occurred …
Why did my partner cheat on me?
At the Sydney Couple and Family Specialists we see many couples for marriage and relationship counselling – and probably one of the most common (and painful) presentations is when one person has betrayed the other. There are lots of different ways to …
When is controlling behaviour from a partner toxic or abusive?
Many people can appear controlling in a relationship and I certainly see many examples of it in couples counselling. Often controlling behaviours show up because the person is feeling insecure or highly anxious. Anxiety fuels controlling behaviours in relationships. But there …
Worried about Christmas and holiday conflict?
Whilst Sydney (and Australia for that matter) is a beautiful place to be during Summer, Christmas and the holiday season can be a challenging time for couples. The feeling of needing to conform to your family’s expectations during the Christmas break can …
How do you know if alcohol is ruining your relationship? And what can you do if it is?
Couples counselling brings in a lot of successful people – many of them high achievers, big money earners, or simply people are who are highly-regarded and high-functioning at work. But that success often comes with big jobs, long hours, huge mortgages, frequent …
Are extended family or in-laws causing problems within your relationship?
As a Family Counsellor I see this a lot in my couples work as well as in family counselling. Here are a few of the most common complaints I hear: My partner doesn’t like my family or parents and doesn’t …
What help is there for couples where there is a significant mental health diagnosis?
Some of you may remember a blog that Alex Ryder wrote back in May about the impact of mental health of a relationship – you can read his blog here. In couple and family counselling I frequently talk to people who …
- 1
- 2