Blog Post | 20 October, 2021
Asking for help isn’t always easy.
If you struggle with your mental health, you may already be getting help from a mental health professional. But the support from the people around you can make all the difference on your road to recovery.
We offer some advice if you’re not sure how to ask for help when you’re depressed or having a hard time.
Face the feelings
Acknowledging you’re struggling, naming the feelings, and identifying your triggers can help you gain insight into your situation. This can make it easier to communicate your struggles to someone else.
Even if you don’t... Read more
Blog Post | 22 July, 2022
Do introverts get lonely?
Studies have shown loneliness isn’t necessarily related to being alone.
Introverts can be perfectly happy on their own, or terribly lonely in a crowd.
A lot of the time, introverts need solitude and quiet to recharge themselves. This can make it harder for them to create and maintain social connections, and there can be a point where “alone” becomes “lonely”.
If this sounds like you, we hope our advice to avoid loneliness as an introvert helps.
Find your people
This comes in two parts: the people you socialise with, and the way in which you socialise.
The key... Read more
Blog Post | 13 January, 2021
Dads and stepdads play a big part in kids’ lives. But what does it mean to be a good dad today?
The role of a father has changed a lot over the years, with dads playing a more active role in parenting than ever before.
Whether you’re about to become a new father or you’re looking to improve your relationship with your children, we hope our advice for dads helps you be a supportive and nurturing father.
We recognise that there are many types of parents and father figures, as well as different styles of parenting. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to raising children, but we hope these... Read more
Blog Post | 01 March, 2023
It’s normal to worry about your relationship with your kids after a divorce or separation – especially if you’ll be spending less time with them.
This can be a very challenging time for children, whatever their age. It can take time to adjust to a new routine of moving back and forth between parents.
While all this change can be hard on everyone, it’s important to focus on your kids’ needs every step of the way.
We hope this advice helps you navigate coparenting and fatherhood after separation.
Manage Your Own Feelings
Separation can bring up a lot of difficult feelings, especially... Read more
Blog Post | 01 April, 2021
Have you ever opened up to someone and felt like they weren’t really paying attention to you?
Effective listening is a rare gift these days. Many of us are distracted by our own busy schedules, the fast-paced world around us, and the urge to check our phones.
Listening helps us build relationships and solve (or avoid) problems in our personal and professional lives. It’s an important skill to have in your toolbox, and as simple as it may seem, really listening can take some real effort.
Keep these tips in mind to be a better listener in your next conversation.
Give them your full... Read more
Blog Post | 22 February, 2023
It can be overwhelming to talk to your grandchild about gender, sexuality, and identity. Especially when the social and political landscapes are vastly different today than they were in your generation.
Your grandchild is likely worried about your feelings on their identity, too. Love and support from you will be crucial for your grandchild.
We hope these tips can help you to be a respectful, informed ally for your LGBTQIA+ grandchild.
Have a positive mindset
LGBTQIA+ rights and social norms have changed drastically over the generations. Due to being from a different time than your... Read more
Blog Post | 19 July, 2023
The Voice debate is an important and historic one. But the referendum process and related conversations will likely be challenging – and potentially distressing – for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
However you intend to vote, the safety, wellbeing, and respect of our First Nations Peoples should be everyone’s priority during what may be an emotional and traumatic time.
We'd like to offer some practical ways to be sensitive to First Nations Peoples during The Voice referendum debate, and to be conscious of your own self-care as an ally.
Educate Yourself... Read more
Blog Post | 25 March, 2024
“My friend came out to me – what do I say?”
This question is more common than you may think.
‘Coming out’ - or more recently called ‘inviting in’ - refers to someone in the LGBTQIA+ communities self-disclosing their sexual or gender identity.
Knowing what to say when someone comes out to you can be difficult. Everyone has different experiences and needs, and there’s no one-fits-all perfect response.
We offer some suggestions to help your loved one feel supported and seen during and after this important conversation.
Be Affirming and Thank Them for Telling You
It can take a lot of... Read more
Blog Post | 26 November, 2021
Written by Shirley Hussie – Relationship and Family Counsellor
The flow-on effects of COVID are still impacting us in one way or another.
Lockdowns and social distancing forced couples and families to spend more time together, putting extra pressure on relationships. For some couples, COVID has been a catalyst for breakdown in the relationship, leading to high levels of conflict and separation.
Some of us are experiencing the financial stress from loss of income, or the stress of working from home and having to home-school children.
Some young people are struggling to feel excited about... Read more
Blog Post | 17 November, 2022
In a relationship, you have the power to influence your partner in a positive or negative way. Your words and behaviours can lift them up or bring them down.
You bring out the best in your partner when you foster their greatest qualities. This involves providing a safe and respectful environment for them to be their true selves and live by their values.
A few red flags that you’re not bringing out the best in each other might include a power imbalance, controlling or jealous behaviour, or poor communication (e.g. passive aggression, rudeness, yelling, or feeling too scared to speak up).
A... Read more