I am impressed with this resource that tells the stories of allied health professionals grappling with mental health challenges at different times in their life. Rather than being the 'experts', they channel their experiences to help others by demystifying mental illness and starting new conversations. I came to counselling because of family experiences. Till then, ABC's All in the Mind was uninteresting. But now I can't resist listening to the program's podcasts. My interest

The Royal Commission received a number of submissions on the redesign of the aged care system, following a request for submissions made by the Commissioners in Consultation Paper 1. Well, I didn't want to miss the opportunity to argue for counsellors and the value of counselling in the aged care space. I highlighted the contradictory processes that exist in the aged + disability service system. I am a recognised counsellor in the disability system but given no recognition in

The NDIS price list is updated at least twice a year. The last update was in December 2019. The costs for counselling are as follows. Whether NDIS or non-NDIS, my fee for service is typically lower than the suggested price. Individual Counselling ($156.16) Facilitating self-knowledge, emotional acceptance and growth and the optimal development of personal resources on a one to one basis. Assist participants to work towards their personal goals and gain greater insight into th

While waiting for my morning coffee at Chatswood or travelling a mere 14 minutes on the metro, I am both amused and dismayed by the number of people with eyes down on a device. I try not to sit so that I can observe, gaze into the distance or catch some shuteye. I recently read that looking up from a device has benefits. Strike a conversation, gaze into the distance or remain in mobile phone world. Each action has a very different neurophysiological effect on you, according t

As of 15 July, I am a Medibank Recognised Provider of COUNSELLING services at a registered address. If your level of cover includes counselling, feel free to contact me. #carolinecounselling #counsellingforchange

Where do you begin and who is who in the MH zoo? The distinction between the work of a psychologist and counsellor can be muddied especially for the latter with substantial experience but not the same advantage of a psych. The content is from an ABC article [LINK]. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in diagnosing and treating mental illness.They tend to treat complex and serious mental illness, and have a deep understanding of physical and mental health, and how

Although an increasingly expensive exercise to get noticed, I believe that counselling is a valid service for NDIS participants who choose this option. You can now find me HERE. Keyword: counselling. Postcode: 2118. Other options of course are the NDIS Provider List but that's exhaustingly difficult. #carolinecounselling #counsellingforchange #increasedvisibility #NDIS

RN's All in the Mind explored psychiatry, slightly out of my area of interest. But this is what I got out of the podcast. There's the sense that psychiatry needs to change That digital phenotyping (the way smartphones can track our activity or lack of) offers the possibility to use our behaviours as a way to monitor ourselves and for other people to observe environmental impacts on behaviours, and our responses to particular incidences. The program also identified that relati

Finally, I got an article published by Community Care Review to highlight the importance of counselling for older adults. While I attempt to make a case for community counsellors, I also recognise that some people need access to a range of mental health professionals. Using a series of examples, I presented scenarios where counsellors makes sense. I am pleased that my article is supported by 2 academics, one in South Australia, the other in Western Australia. Older people (w

Today I attended the NSW Volunteering Conference where some presentations inspired. Among some messages I heard was the notion of values and its alignment with a service. I recognised that among the few key reasons I volunteer as a counsellor is that I want to offer HOPE to others through my skills. Other ways of supporting people is through my LOVE OF LEARNING as ongoing participation in workshops about Grief & Loss, and online counselling (to be offered after Aug 2019). #ca

The following is selected content from an AAA article: "Australian Ageing Agency recently reported that Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's new report indicated the majority of aged care residents are diagnosed with at least one mental health or behavioural condition. In 2017-18, almost half of residents were diagnosed with depression (49 per cent), up from 47 per cent in 2016-17 and 46 per cent in 2015-16". My comment to the article is as follows: A move to resident

The recent Inquiry into Mental Health appears to consider mental health in relation to economic participation, productivity and economic growth. However, older people, long retired and economically unproductive (except they may volunteer), may experience poor mental health for various reasons such as downsizing in a different suburb or moving to community living in a retirement village with rules for a new way of living. I am not a psychologist or mental health social worker

I introduced a group of older adults to the notion of art therapy as a way to explore emotions and experiences of ageing. The group came up with this in 20 minutes as they recalled happy memories of holidays, family, calmness, long distant friendships but also sadness about the illness of close friends, Art therapy even at its introductory level has the potential for people to look at the good things that happen in their life and the existential crises from loss of friendship

An investigation by BACP (UK) identified, through its members, that older people faced barriers in accessing therapy in Northern Ireland (area-specific investigation). Barriers ranged from inconsistency in referral from GPs to difficulties with mobility and access to transport, from an over-reliance on medication for common mental health problems to the fear of the unknown. The research, according to BACP, suggests that counselling and psychotherapy are effective interventi

As of late Feb 2019, I can now provide counselling, as a therapeutic support, to people in the NDIS system. Counselling for people 18+ opens up opportunities to be supported through training, work, other therapeutic interventions, relationship challenges, housing, ageing and so on. I can be found through the NDIS Portal. This is good news for both a Provider and Participants. #carolinecounselling #counsellingforchange #NDIS #updates

Brain food. The idea that what we eat and drink has a direct impact on our mood is not a new one. An emerging area of study is nutritional therapy that explores the relationship or connection between brains and guts. While studies are still in their emergent stages, two key areas of research, as identified by Rachel Kelly and Alice Macintosh, are around healthy fats, the omega-3s and healthy microbiome or our gut flora. Kelly and Macintosh's work led them to devise a list of

We're now 11 days into 2019. I didn't start out with many resolutions. Just one... remain in work. The rollover forced me to consider new options. I am in the process of registering as a NDIS provider and if successful, will be able to support people with a disability who have a NDIS Plan and who need therapeutic supports. So watch this space for news. #carolinecounselling #counsellingforchange #NDIS #change

I'm a Queen fan so I thought I'd share part of a song that's a fit for the reason to just talk to someone! "Pressure pushing down on me Pressing down on you no man ask for Under pressure... that burns a building down Splits a family in two Puts people on streets It's the terror of knowing What this world is about Watching some good friends Screaming `let me out' Pray tomorrow... gets me higher Pressure on people... people on streets...." - Under Pressure (Queen) #car

Dementia is a disease that causes upheaval not only for the person but their network of support. It appears that, according to Craig Ritchie, Professor of Psychiatry & Ageing at the University of Edinburgh, the fight to prevent Alzheimer’s disease needs to start at middle age. While we can take up new challenges like learn a new instrument or continue crosswords to maintain brain health, the evidence suggests that we need to remain socially connected. While there’s no guaran

If someone you know is going through a difficult time, it can be hard to know how to help them. Starting the conversation about offering help can be difficult. Questions to ask may be ones such as, I am worried about you. Would you like to talk? Is there something I can help you with? Talking with you or someone else may help the person feel less alone and perhaps give them a different perspective on the problem they are facing (BACP 2018). #carolinecounselling #counsellingfo