PRACTITIONERS: sarwat rewais, simon prone, anandi pirie

PSYCHOTHERAPY >>>

Psychotherapists assist people with a range of life's challenges/issues, often arising out of anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, addictions, abuse, grief and loss, eating disorders or existential issues. They offer a professional guidance in a supportive environment. Of fundamental importance in psychotherapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client, and the central role this takes in supporting the client in his or her struggles and dilemmas.

The therapist creates an environment of trust, where one feels safe and contained to be able to explore difficulties and feel heard, understood and accepted without being judged.

Psychotherapy can be seen as a process of helping us become more fully alive, finding our place and space in the world.

Through being held and supported, we expand our awareness and reclaim the exiled, and healing the injured, parts of ourselves.

Having said that, psychotherapy is not a magic wand. The process requires courage, time and commitment and can be painful and confronting at times.

We may embark on such a journey from a place of desperation, but therapy can also lead to places of profound joy, transformation and freedom.

PSYCHOLOGY >>>

Psychology is a science that studies human behavior and mental processes. Behaviour consists of actions and mental processes include perceptions, thoughts, and feelings.

The different disciplines of psychology are extremely wide-ranging and psychology shares parts of many other sciences, including the method of research by experiment and measurement. Psychological tests can can be very useful in profiling aspects of behaviour not possible by other means.

Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. Most psychologists help mentally healthy people to find ways of functioning better. For example, they train people to handle stress and family problems. Psychological therapies are also widely used by groups and organisations. Everyday problems, such as work stress, relationship troubles and coping with illness, can seriously affect your life. Addressing these concerns is vital to enjoying life and good relationships. Psychologists can help with these situations. They equip people with the skills needed to function better and to prevent problems. Some common reasons why people visit psychologists are listed below.

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children
• Bipolar Disorder (formerly manic depression)
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Lifestyle
• effects on health
• Preventing suicide
• Relationship problems
• Schizophrenia
• Traumatic events

Research shows psychological treatments are effective in managing many common mental health disorders. People also visit psychologists for lots of other reasons.

The many areas that psychologists can help you with include:

• Marital, family and relationship problems
• Stress or pain
• Fears, phobias, anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Loss and grief
• Sexual difficulties
• Sleeping difficulties
• Eating and weight control problems
• Children's learning, behaviour and management problems
• Addictions
• Making good relationships better
• Becoming better parents and teachers
• Personal growth
• Career planning
• Improving workplaces
• Enhancing sports performance
• Training and developing staff
• Employment selection
• Reviewing organisational structure and practices
• Industrial relations and occupational health and safety
• Studying consumer needs

Consulting a Psychologist ensures you receive expert psychological services of the highest standard.

APS Psychologists follow guidelines about professional conduct, responsibilities and confidentiality that are set and monitored by the Society in the APS Code of Ethics. All psychologists are legally required to register with the Psychologist Registration Board in their State or Territory, in the same way medical practitioners must be registered. APS membership involves meeting standards in addition to this registration. Entry to the APS requires more university training than necessarily required by the Boards.

COUNSELLING >>>

Counselling differs from other sorts of help. It is not advice or a means by which the helper provides solutions. It is more a process through which one person helps another by purposeful conversation in a supportive and understanding atmosphere.

Counselling is usually concerned with a specific problem or area in your life you may be finding difficult - for example, an addiction. Psychotherapy is usually concerned with developing personal insight, awareness and self-knowledge, often as the result of initial counselling sessions. There are overlaps between the two disciplines.

You can expect the counsellor to be there to encourage you to draw on your own resources and to support you in developing self-acceptance and to make any changes that you want in your life.

In some cases one or two sessions are enough to deal with the immediate concern. Often a series of sessions over a number of weeks will be adequate, and this can be reviewed and extended as required.

HYPNOtherapy/hypnosis >>>

Hypnosis is a state of mind characterized by relaxed brain waves and hyper-suggestibility. Hypnosis and hypnotic suggestions have played a major role in healing for thousands of years. According to the World Health Organization, 90% of the general population can be hypnotized.

Hypnosis is a perfectly normal state that just about everyone has experienced. The real importance of hypnosis is that while you are in that state, you are very receptive to suggestions.

Positive and healing suggestions are able to sink deeply into your mind much more quickly than when you are in a normal, awake state.