Category: Mental health

Child Psychotherapy Explained: Treating Emotional, Mental and Behavioural Challenges

by DriftMassageWellness, posted in Children & Families, Mental health

Psychoanalytic Child Psychotherapy is a highly specialised, evidence-based
treatment which can address a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and mental
health difficulties. Psychoanalytic Child Psychotherapists are trained to be able to
treat any emotional or behavioural concern. This type of therapy is often sought
when other therapies have not been able to help.

What Can Child Psychotherapy Help With?

  • Relationship difficulties or social struggles
  • Aggression, angry outbursts
  • Low mood & depression
  • Anxiety, irrational fears, or obsessive behaviours
  • Sleep problems
  • Bed-wetting or soiling
  • School refusal
  • Risk-taking, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts
  • Emotional struggles linked to trauma, neglect, or loss
  • Emotional or behavioural problems arising from physical illness
  • Emotional or behavioural problems arising from developmental disorders such
    as autism

The Process of Psychotherapy

The process begins with an initial appointment to discuss concerns and determine if psychotherapy is the right sort of help. Following this a psychotherapy assessment might be arranged consisting of 2-3 sessions, the assessment gives the child an opportunity to experience what psychotherapy is like. The assessment is also an important step in beginning to make sense of the child’s difficulties.

Parents involvement and support of therapy is important, separate parent sessions may also be arranged alongside scheduled review meetings.

Following the assessment a review meeting takes place to think about the assessment and whether to proceed with psychotherapy. Psychotherapy sessions last for 50 minutes and usually take place weekly.

Each child’s response to therapy is different. Some may feel better after a few sessions, others need much longer. Attending regularly is important for
effectiveness.

But How Does it Work?

Psychoanalytic child psychotherapy is a non-directive, child led therapy which provides a safe space where children can explore and develop an understanding of their feelings and behaviours.

Child psychotherapists are trained to observe very subtle communications expressed by a child. Through combining observations with undirected talking, play, or creative activities, psychoanalytic child psychotherapists gather an understanding of the child’s view of the world, and of their struggles and worries. This understanding is gradually shared with child, helping them to gain insight into their difficulties,
enabling change.

If you’re considering therapy for your child or have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to contact Tracey at Child Psychotherapy Perth based in the Northern Suburbs of Perth.

WRITTEN BY Tracy Christophi MA, MACP Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

Tracey is a full qualified ACP Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the UK. Now based at Drift Wellness Centre in Clarkson, Western Australia, where she is establishing her own practice to support children, young people, and families.

To find out more how Tracey can help your family and book in your appointment please go to www.childpsychotherapyperth.com.au

What is Art Therapy?

by DriftMassageWellness, posted in Mental health, Wellness

Art Therapy is a therapeutic practice that utilizes the creative process of making art to improve mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. It’s founded on the idea that the visual language of art can access parts of our psyche that words sometimes cannot reach. Through creating and exploring art, individuals can express and process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a nonverbal way.

​In an Art Therapy session, clients might use various mediums like drawing, painting, sculpting, or collage to explore their inner world. This process can help them gain insights, resolve conflicts, and cope with difficult emotions. The art created during therapy serves as a powerful tool for self-expression, allowing individuals to articulate complex or hidden aspects of themselves.​

Art Therapy is often used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches and can be beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds, including those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It can also be a way to foster personal growth and enhance overall life satisfaction by promoting self-discovery and personal insight.

​But I can’t draw! I’m not an artist!

​In Art Therapy, the emphasis is on the process rather than the product. It’s about exploring and expressing emotions and thoughts through art without the pressure to create a “perfect” or aesthetically pleasing piece. You have permission to “screw it up”. The beauty of art therapy lies in its freedom from conventional standards of artistic success.

​

​​“Stick figures are welcome in art therapy. It’s all about the process, not the end result”.

Here’s why Art Therapy is so effective:

​Non-Judgmental Space: Art therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space where you can experiment with materials and techniques without the worry of making mistakes or producing a “bad” piece of art.

Accessing the Unconscious: Sometimes the most profound insights come from art that seems chaotic or nonsensical. The creative process can tap into subconscious thoughts and feelings that might be hard to articulate with words.

Metaphorical Exploration: Art can serve as a metaphor for personal experiences. Even abstract or “ugly” pieces can reveal valuable information about your inner world, offering new perspectives on challenges or emotions.

Personal Growth: Engaging in artmaking helps you connect with different parts of yourself and can lead to personal growth and self-discovery. The process itself can be therapeutic and revealing, regardless of the final product.

Accessibility: You don’t need to have any prior artistic experience or skills to benefit from art therapy. It’s about the experience of creating and reflecting, not about artistic talent or outcomes.​

In essence, art therapy is about the journey of self-expression and exploration. It’s an opportunity to delve into your inner life in a creative, non-verbal way, and sometimes the most meaningful discoveries come from the unexpected or unconventional.

written by Meaghan Hamilton, a qualified Transpersonal Art Therapist and Counsellor

Meaghan has a rich background in both the arts and psychology. She embodies the essence of being human, embracing love, vulnerability, and the complexities of life. Her journey toward healing began two decades ago during her time as a Constable in the Queensland Police Service, where she discovered her passion for supporting those in need. Following a life-changing diagnosis of complex PTSD in 2005, Meaghan turned to Art Therapy, which transformed her path and helped her reclaim her sense of self. Now, she dedicates her life to guiding others who feel lost or disconnected, using a holistic approach that integrates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts and advanced diplomas in Transpersonal Art Therapy and Counselling, Meaghan employs both ancient and modern therapeutic modalities to empower her clients: adults, adolescents and children, helping them find their inner wisdom and fostering a journey of growth and transformation.

book your therapy session today

Meaghan is at Drift Wellness Centre every Friday and for more information please visit her website: www.meagsartthreapy.com.au

Break Free from the Past: How EMDR Therapy Can Help You Heal and Thrive

by DriftMassageWellness, posted in Mental health, Wellness

Are you feeling stuck, weighed down by painful memories, or struggling with emotional distress from past experiences? EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy might be the breakthrough you need.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. 

More than 30 positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR therapy. Some of the studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions.

There has been so much research on EMDR therapy that it is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the Australian Psychological Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defence.

Given the worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, you can easily see how EMDR therapy would be effective in treating the “everyday” memories that are the reason people have low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and all the myriad problems that bring them in for therapy.

If something is blocking your recovery or holding you back in some way, or if other therapies haven’t worked for you in the past, then book in a session with Laura, Clinical Psychologist from Fildes Psychology to explore EMDR and move through this together, to continue your life unaffected by trauma.

WRITTEN BY LAURA FILDES, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

How to manage Stress and Anxiety with your subconscious

by DriftMassageWellness, posted in Mental health, Wellness, Workshops

Are you feeling stress and anxiety and don’t know what to do about it?

Well… you are not alone, as a Remedial Massage Therapist I see and feel what stress and anxiety does to my clients, and while a regular massage does help to reduce stress, there are alternative therapies that have a longer effect that does not involve medication.

Life is busy, and juggling a career, family, aging parents, running a household and finances can take a tole making stress a part of your day-to-day life, and while many of us can recognise when we are under stress, however sometimes stress can develop over time, and we may not be aware of the effect it is having on us.

Feelings of stress and anxiety:
  • Worried most of the time
  • Tense and on edge
  • Scared
  • Panicky
  • Irritability
  • Detachment from your body
Long term stress can affect may aspects of your mental and physical well-being and can lead to:
  • Insomnia, sleeping problems
  • Headaches
  • Problems concentrating
  • Malnutrition, gaining or losing weight
  • Pounding heart
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Feeling irritable, teary and or angry
  • Addictions: alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax
Stressed or Anxious? You are NOT alone!

As a matter of fact:

72% of Australians feel that stress is impacting their physical health

64% of the population think that stress has an impact on their mental health

but… only a few people are seeking professional help.

One way to naturally reduce stress and anxiety is through Hypnosis.

how can hypnosis help you?

Stress and anxiety are subconscious reactions to situations and circumstances.

Sometimes we know what triggers these strong stressful feelings; other times, we do not, and they overcome us straight out of the blue.

The mind is a deeply intricate organ that can be retrained through the therapeutic process of Hypnosis. By getting to the root of the problem, Hypnosis will reveal things that your conscious mind is unaware of.

Hypnosis (as described by the Mayo Clinic) is a trance-like state in which you have heightened focus and concentration. Hypnosis is usually done with the help of a therapist using verbal repetition and mental images. When you’re under hypnosis, you usually feel calm and relaxed, and are more open to suggestions.

Hypnosis can be used to help you gain control over undesired behaviors or to help you cope better with anxiety or pain. It’s important to know that although you’re more open to suggestion during hypnosis, you don’t lose control over your behavior.

During Hypnosis, you get access to your higher mind (subconscious) and changing these programs has a powerful effect on your daily life.  This can occur with or without relaxation and therefore Hypnosis is not sleeping, but rather a focused concentration on some idea or image.

Surprisingly, people who had a significant anxiety problem over the years and choose Hypnosis as a last resort and after attending a program of 5 sessions, they don’t recall precisely why they were coming because they don’t experience these problems anymore.

Drift Remedial and Relaxation Massage and Urslua from Hypnosis Joondalup has run previous hypnotherapy workshops in the past. For more information about the benefits of Hypnosis please go to www.hypnosis-joondalup.com.au