As parents, we aren’t privy to the same societal sympathy as our children. When kids are overwhelmed, they can burst into tears and wail for the neighbourhood to hear. If we did the same thing, the neighbours might be less understanding. Luckily, we have other options. Emotional self-regulation is a life skill we can develop at any age. And if we can master it, our children are more likely to follow our lead. Positive Psychology practitioner Ashlee Mitchell (MCP) shares her advice. By Ashlee Mitchell, Clinical Psychologist Registrar Adults have tantrums, too Emotional outbursts between parent ..read more

We all want our children to leave home with some fundamental life skills. Cooking. Cleaning. Doing their taxes. These will undoubtedly help them navigate the world. But what if their inner world is in turmoil? When we’re in the grips of overwhelming emotions, even boiling an egg is a daunting task. And emotional self-regulation is a life skill too often forgotten – as our Clinical Psychologist Registrar Ashlee Mitchell (M.C.P.) attests. Here, drawing on her professional and parental expertise, Ashlee explains the ins and outs of kids’ emotions. And she shares the proven strategies she uses to ..read more

The last few years allowed us something rare: an extended stretch of time to reflect. Many of us reflected on our careers – and realised we wanted more. Maybe we feel undervalued in our role. Maybe we’re well-paid and well-respected, but we can’t find any meaning in the work. Or maybe something just feels… off. The reasons for wanting a change are many. And our very own Cathy Caballero, organisational psychologist and Positive Psychology co-founder, has seen them all. Cathy assures us there’s nothing wrong with wanting something new. But before we do a career one-eighty, she stresses, we need ..read more

For those of us with mental illness, the holidays are a slippery time. Throughout the year, we strive to stay grounded – relying on our daily routines for consistency. But in the chaos of December, it’s easy to feel like we’re losing our footing. A calendar packed with boozy catchups might look more threatening than inviting to someone working towards sobriety. And for someone in the early days of OCD treatment, the drastic shift in routine might spark some familiar worries (and urges). But we don’t need to white-knuckle our way through the break. A thoughtful approach can help us find the re ..read more

For some, emotions can get out of control, leading to self-destructive behaviour. But climbing out of an intensely negative headspace is easier said than done. That’s why Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is designed to gradually bring ownership back to one’s self. Read on to find out what DBT is – and how it can help people on their journey to building a satisfying life. The nitty-gritty of DBT – and what to expect Psychologist Marsha Linehan developed DBT in the 1980s to treat the volatile emotions that come along with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The term dialectical incorpor ..read more

People get a lot of things wrong about men’s mental health. And these misconceptions are only causing harm for the men who are suffering. So with Movember on this month – a campaign to raise awareness and funds for men’s health – it’s time to set fact from fiction. We’re debunking the top myths around men’s mental health that are doing a grave disservice to men, everywhere. MYTH 1: Most male suicide is linked to depression Many people know the alarmingly high rates of male suicide. If you didn’t, men are – on average – three times more likely to take their own lives than women. But did you kn ..read more

There’s no doubt. Our affinity for animals can be deep, enriching and enduring. But did you know that this human-animal bond is much more than a warm fuzzy feeling? Pets provide numerous benefits to our mental health. From reducing stress to easing loneliness, studies show just how transformative a close kinship with an animal can be. So we thought we’d deep dive into the research. Here are five reasons why pets are so great for our mental health and wellbeing.   But first, pets are a responsibility Research shows that human-animal bonds have a positive impact on people’s mental health. H ..read more

The need for mental health support is at an all-time high. Yet unfortunately, access to that support is at an all-time low. Due to the pandemic, mental health professionals have been inundated with new – and existing – patients. That means many are waiting months to see anyone. But the fact is, people need help now, not later. Luckily, there are some great digital mental health resources that can offer tremendous support for people now, while they wait for a psychology appointment. So here we share our top picks. But first, what are digital mental health resources? Digital mental health resou ..read more

As humans, we seek identity. And a large part of this? Our gender identity. But what if the gender we’re assigned at birth misaligns with who we truly are on the inside? And what if who we are on the inside is misunderstood and misrepresented by those close to us… and society at large? Unfortunately, this is an experience many individuals identifying as non-binary, transgender – or one of the many other gender diverse identities – face every day. So how can we all make a difference to the lives of gender minorities? By understanding the importance of our words – and how much they can mean to e ..read more

We know we feel grief when we lose a loved one. But death isn’t the only trigger of this gut-wrenching response. When a relationship ends, we grieve our partner’s absence. We grieve the life we had with them. And we grieve the future we thought we’d have. Learning to navigate the world without them will take time. So here are 10 psychologist-approved tips to survive the grief – and emerge a healthier, more confident person on the other side. 1. Slow down In the immediate aftermath of a breakup, our minds and bodies will be flooded with emotion. Our thoughts will race. Our stomach will turn. W ..read more