mind you

It's back to school time in New Zealand, and for many kids that means going back to some really tough social challenges in the school environment, including bullying. Parents being equipped to respond confidently when their child is experiencing bullying is super important. There are LOTS of things you can do to support your child. Join me for this episode, and come away feeling empowered that...

Dopamine Addiction is a buzz phrase these days, but it is an important concept to understand when we live in a world filled with notifications, addictive foods, and screens! In this episode I share about the concept of Dopamine Addiction, why it matters, and what you can do if you find yourself needing a re-set.

It's that time of year when the back to school nerves hit for our children. They're real. They deserve response. And there are lots of ideas in this episode to equip you to set your child up for a smoother transition back to school. It is one of my pet peeves that we just tell children "You've got this" and "It will all be OK" when they are actually really worried. In this episode I talk about how...

The chances are you have a goal to take better care of yourself this year. So, how could you do things differently so you succeed with this goal? I reckon you need some fresh ideas, a broader concept of what self care is, some better ways to identify what you need, and to get rid of the mental barriers that stand in your way. I LOVE this topic, and I can't wait to share with you and support you to...

I have learnt to take really good care of myself. My lifestyle depends on it. I want to make the most of my life, and all of that relies on my ability to do great self care. Come and have a nosey at what I do - both the regular things and the things I do to respond to myself as required. I sincerely hope this episode is inspiring and permission giving for you. It's time to get ambitious about your...

New Year, New You... Well, what about New Year, Same Awesome Totally Already Enough You? In this episode I share a pep talk on how to strike the balance when setting your goals for the New Year. Sure, it's an opportunity to enjoy the fresh energy of the calendar turning over, but also it's important that your desire to change comes from a place of LOVING yourself towards change, and using this tim...

Christmas is coming, and likely some change of pace/routine...   You've planned: where you're going, what you're doing, the Christmas menu, the childcare plans, who is unwrapping what. But, have you planned around your mental health needs?    This is a time of year when many people feel quite shattered, and the holiday season can (in my experience!) tip you over the edge without some intentional f...

Join me for this episode where we explore high functioning anxiety - what it is, who gets it, how to heal it. Enjoy!

If I asked you right now 'How are you feeling?', how do you think I'd rate the depth of your answer?    So many people answer with: "OK", "Alright" or "Busy" and we don't ever go much beyond that.    This episode explores HOW to know what you're feeling. The missing emotional literacy art we are never taught! And, knowing how you're feeling is super foundational when it comes to then being able to...

Tis the season to be jolly.... And, stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted! So, how do you get through this time of year without arriving at Christmas collapsing in a heap? Join me for the pep talk you likely need right now!

For most of us, our life time will included moments of crisis - illness, injury, death, sudden loss, a natural disaster... It's a given that our mental health is going to take a hit when we are facing a crisis. But, there are lots of things you can do to lessen the impact and survive through these times well.  Join me for this episode where I explore some tips for taking take of your mental health...

Having challenging relationships with family members is far more common than we acknowledge within our society, and can be a source of significant pain and grief for many people. It's also really tough knowing what to do to navigate these relationships - no contact, disappointment, boundaries etc. Come and join me for this (quite chunky!) episode where I share some advice around this topic.

In the last episode, I shared all about the important skill of navigating having time away from your children without that annoying parenting guilt overwhelming you. In this episode, I focus on guilt about your parenting - how do we manage to avoid the trap of berating ourselves around what we did or didn't do... This episode is filled with lots of different insights, and I hope there is something...

So, you went to antenatal class and they talked about birth and what to dress your baby in, but did they talk about the incredible guilt that most parents battle throughout their journey as parents? I doubt it!  Join me for this episode - part one - where I explore parenting guilt, particularly around time away from your children. Whether this is for work, working out, hobbies, time with friends,...

In this episode, I answer some listener questions in follow up to the recent episode on workaholism as a trauma response.  The questions I respond to are:  - How do you get beyond 'eldest child syndrome' and constantly being the overly responsible one in a work setting?  - What about picking up too many unpaid responsibilities - how does that busyness relate to trauma?  - How do I manage working f...

In this episode I explore the links I see as a therapist between workaholism and trauma - whether this is major trauma or ways of being we learn for our own safety. This episode is designed to get you thinking about the potential dynamics driving your workaholism, if this is a challenge you face.

I'm a big believer in the power parents have to positively shape their child's mental health over the course of their life. But, where do you start? In this episode I share some key areas you can focus on to teach your child some important mental health fundamentals.

Well, my friends, it's time to get WAYYYYYY beyond the answers we give to the supermarket cashier when it comes to "How are you?". When we are asked how we are, we are so conditioned to respond with "Ok" and "Good", no matter how we are really feeling.  So, in this episode I share with you a few key questions to get you reflecting on how you really are.  Also, you can download my free 'How are you...

In this episode, I share some advice on helping your child transition to school, with a particular focus around reducing anxiety.

Well, according to you guys, this is going to be a great episode! I know there are people who have been hanging out for this one...  Parenting is essentially a trauma for a relationship. You are never again the same person you were before children + the demands of parenting are high and ongoing. It's tough!  Come and join me for this episode, where I share some ideas on how you can look after your...

This is a bit of a different episode - it's all about me! I share my back story, more about my counselling style, my work as a Private Investigator, my issues - it's all here! haha.. Come join me for a yarn!

I get asked this question so, so often and I have LOTS of tips to share. It's time to take it away from being a black and white/yes or no question of "Will you come to therapy with me?", and ask way better questions to get you both participating in therapy quick smart!

This is a follow up episode to Episode 60 on boundaries. In this episode, I respond to a range of listener questions on how to apply boundaries in different contexts - with difficult people, fragile people, in a not for profit work setting, with kids, with in laws, when supporting someone else through a difficult time, and as a grandparent. Phew! There is lots in here, and no doubt there will be s...

Join me for this episode, all about the important topic of boundaries. I'm a big believer that if you don't have good boundaries, you don't end up living your own life - and, instead, you live the life others construct for you. Boundaries are a really important life skill, yet for many people, the state of their mental health prevents them from even knowing what they want - let alone holding a bou...

I hear this all of the time from people writing to me seeking to engage in counselling... "I just feel I have lost myself, and I've lost my way".    The good news is that you're not a $20 note in last winter's jacket, and there are actually steps you can take to re-discover, re-invent, or re-connect with who you are.    Join me for this episode where I explore how to go about this process.