Blog Post | 22 March, 2024
Emotional intimacy can be a bit like a battery. The early stages of a relationship are often spent charging it up with deep conversations, dates, affection, spontaneous gifts – the list goes on.
We tend to rely on that charge as life inevitably gets in the way and we’re too distracted or stressed to recharge the battery.
But when we let our emotional intimacy decline, our relationship suffers. We might feel a lack of understanding, support, and overall connection with our partner.
It’s crucial to pay attention to the emotional intimacy in your relationship and make an effort to keep that... Read more
Article | 12 April, 2016
Building and maintaining positive relationships with children and with all family members is not always easy. Families have times when tempers flare, feelings get hurt and misunderstandings occur. It helps to have good communication, flexibility and creativity to manage these situations and maintain positive connections.
Cultural background, family values and differences in family make-up (e.g., sole parents, step and blended families, same-sex parents and carers) can influence the values and goals adults have for children’s development. This may also lead to diverse relationships and... Read more
Blog Post | 14 June, 2024
It’s natural for your self-esteem to take a blow after you’ve been cheated on.
And with that, it can even be difficult to focus on the self-care you deserve in times like this. But there is a lot you can do to remind yourself you’re worthy of love, and to heal after being cheated on.
We’ll take you through some tips on how to build your self-esteem, and how to love yourself after being cheated on.
Don’t blame yourself
Your partner’s decision to cheat isn’t a reflection of you. It doesn’t mean something’s “wrong” with you, or that you did anything wrong.
People cheat for many reasons.... Read more
Blog Post | 17 November, 2022
Empty nest syndrome or heartache is often used to describe the grief many parents feel when their children move out of the family home.
While it’s not a clinical diagnosis, empty nest syndrome is a well-known and common phenomenon that generally involves feelings of loss, sadness, and rejection, and the questioning of purpose and self-identity.
It’s normal to be sad when your children leave home – or even in the leadup to them leaving. It can take some time to adjust to this new ‘normal’. But if you’re struggling with ongoing symptoms of depression or emotional distress, it may help to talk... Read more
Blog Post | 15 February, 2024
Does your partner use control, manipulation, or intimidation to influence your behaviour?
Control in a relationship can range from telling you what you can and can’t do to more subtle manipulation tactics, such as withholding affection when they don’t get their way.
Because controlling behaviours can be subtle or even disguised as “caring” or “protective”, they can be harder to identify than some other types of abuse.
If your partner uses control in your relationship, you might... Read more
Blog Post | 09 November, 2022
Who am I? What do I want to do with my life? What is my purpose?
These are all common questions asked during a quarter-life crisis.
Much like a midlife crisis, a quarter-life crisis can bring uncertainty, questioning, and intense soul-searching. It generally sets in during the early twenties and may last into the early thirties.
During a quarter-life crisis, you might experience anxiety around your identity, career path, and general place in the world – along with a sense of urgency and panic to figure it all out.
Some of the common factors that can trigger a quarter-life crisis might include... Read more
Basic page | 03 June, 2015
We value the role of research and support many internal personnel and external researchers with conducting research at RAQ. In 2013 we established a Research Advisory Working Group (RAWG) to review research requests and monitor research projects conducted throughout RAQ.
All research and evaluation proposals need to go through the RAWG for approval.
What do I need to do if I want to conduct research at RAQ?
RECRUITMENT
Click here if you want to recruit staff or RAQ clients for your research.... Read more
Blog Post | 10 July, 2020
Fighting in a relationship is normal. Even the happiest couples run into conflict and differences of opinion. Arguing isn’t a sign your love is doomed – in fact, you can use your disagreements as an opportunity to strengthen your relationship.
So how can you navigate conflict in a healthy, productive way to help your relationship, rather than hurt it?
Family and Relationship Counsellor Val Holden explains how to have a healthy argument, and the big no-nos to avoid in the heat of the moment.
Why do couples argue?
“Couples can fight about almost anything,” Val explains. “... Read more
Blog Post | 23 March, 2021
It can be really hard to stop gambling. And once you’ve stopped, it takes ongoing work to resist urges to gamble again.
It’s normal to feel the urge to gamble even years after you’ve stopped. The important thing is how you respond to these urges to resist falling back into dangerous gambling habits.
There’s no reason why you can’t fight your gambling urges and maintain your new way of life, and it can help to have a few strategies up your sleeve when things get tough.
We hope these tips help you fight your gambling urges, one day at a time.
Identify your triggers
When you know... Read more
Blog Post | 06 June, 2023
Social connection is one of our most important human needs. It’s in our DNA, just like our need for food and water.
Studies show that healthy relationships not only increase our self-esteem and our ability to cope in stressful situations, but they’re also a major protective factor against many mental and physical illnesses. ... Read more