The recent tragedy at Westfield Bondi Junction has sparked a lot of heavy conversations about mental illness and violence. While media coverage often paints a simplistic picture, the reality is far more complex.

What happened is awful. And this shouldn’t be an excuse to sensationalise mental health.

Let’s talk about why it's crucial to move beyond headlines and understand the nuances…

I talk a lot about self care here. But that’s because I really cannot overstate how important it is. So I want to share with you locals near me, where I go for self care in the Sutherland Shire.

Self care doesn’t have to mean weekend yoga retreats and ice baths, but if that’s your thing - great! Self care can be any activity you do that fills your cup. And in my opinion, it’s the small simple things you can weave into your daily life that make the real difference.

Therapy is about learning new ways to approach situations, deal with challenges, and overcome obstacles - it’s kind of like school for life, and with school comes homework!

The truth is, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to practise the skills you learn in session. As fantastic as we therapists like to think we are, you will not notice any change in your life from speaking to us for an hour a week. The stuff that happens in-between sessions is the magic - let’s talk about therapy homework!

Mental Health First Aid is the most comprehensive, easily digestible, and hands on mental health training you can do. Which is why I talk A LOT about it and I am incredibly passionate about this training.

When I completed my first training at 17, it opened my eyes to just how incredible MHFA really is, and made me realise that it really should be a course that everyone completes.

From that moment, I became an immediate champion for MHFA.

The Festive Season is fun for some, but for others it might actually not be the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re not feeling particularly great about the fast approaching silly season, please know first and foremost that you’re not alone.

I want to share with you some different tools you may like to use to cope with the holidays, depending on what you’re experiencing.

The truth is there are a number of things a therapist can help you with, ranging from milder to more serious issues. Depending on what type of therapist you see, they may be able to help you with different things.

You might not know this, but there are hundreds of different therapy approaches, all with their own goals and sets of techniques. I’ll walk you through some of the more common ones.

Matthew Perry, known and loved by so many of us as Chandler Bing, passed away this week. Perry has been vocal over the years about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, sharing in his memoir that he’d gone to rehab more than 12 times, spending millions trying to get sober.

The sad reality is that 3.3% of Australians over 16 struggle with substance abuse, so let’s talk about it. If we can use Perry’s tragic passing as an opportunity to bring some light to the darkness that ultimately took his life, then maybe we can help prevent this devastating outcome for someone else.

Some people seem to have this perception that mental health professionals have perfect mental health. This is total rubbish! We’re all only human after all! But, as someone working in the mental health space as a therapist and educator, when my mental wellbeing takes a dive, I know what to do to start feeling like myself again. So let’s talk about what this therapist does for her self care.

We could all benefit from being better educated around mental health, especially while there is so much stigma around mental health and illness. Commit to supporting your own mental wellbeing as well as the people around you, by taking on these 5 approaches for lifelong learning.

In a world that constantly urges us to be productive, efficient, and always "on," the act of switching off can feel like a rebellious act of self-care. It's not about escaping reality permanently, but about recognising the value of taking mindful breaks.

I often get asked by new clients: “Is in-person or online counselling better?”

And whilst that is a difficult question to answer, I definitely can help guide you to make the decision that is right for you - and that’s all that really matters! Let’s explore the options, and hopefully help you figure out which best suits you!

Have you ever returned from a holiday feeling invigorated, wishing you could continue the holiday vibes into your everyday life?

Bringing a bit of the holiday magic into our everyday lives doesn't require a plane ticket or an extravagant budget. Remember, you have the power to turn each day into an adventure – one step and one new experience at a time.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44 - but it’s also one of the most preventable.

If you ever suspect someone you know may be at risk of suicide, it’s important that you take action. In this blog, I’m going to tell you what you need to do to save a life.

Recently returned from a dreamy holiday? The exciting moments of exploration and relaxation seem to give way to the post-holiday blues – those feelings of melancholy and the dreaming of the carefree days that have just passed. If you've ever experienced this emotional rollercoaster, know that you're not alone. Let's explore some practical strategies to help you cope with the post-holiday blues and transition back to your daily life.

Some people thrive off change, whereas others like the structure, routine, and predictability of things in their life staying the same. If you’re like me, (where although change can be exciting, it can bring with it a bit of stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm), here are my research-backed strategies for dealing with change.

I’ve just returned from a five-week trip in Greece, and while I was away, I struggled a bit with my body image. It’s super common to feel more self-conscious than usual when you’re in a different environment, so let’s talk about what I experienced, how I managed it, and some tips for you if you’re ever in a similar situation!

Feeling pressure and overwhelm most days? They say that “simplicity is the healing to the fast-paced world” - so how can we become more… simple? It actually all starts with our mornings. Win the morning and win the day with these tips.

Travel has finally returned to the ease and flexibility we enjoyed pre-pandemic - yay! But with the chance for travel, some feelings of stress or anxiety could be bubbling to the surface for those of us living with mental health issues. Here are some tips to help you travel when experiencing mental ill health.

Many experts have openly stated that exercise is a natural antidepressant. I could point you to hundreds, even thousands of studies that have explored the therapeutic benefits of movement on our health (both mental and physical).

Here’s some tips on how to incorporate more movement into your day…

Good mental health is about more than just the absence of mental illness. While we all have to face challenges in life, people with good mental health are more likely to be able to cope with the ups and downs and ride the rollercoaster.

Whatever the state of your current mental health, we should all be looking for ways to improve our mental wellbeing. So, here are 5 of my top tips for better mental health.