Blog Post | 06 May, 2016
Communication, conflict management, and family separation is my field. Today on my drive to work I was pondering the power of words. How easy it is for words to influence our feelings and interpretation of situations and things.
With separated families we will often use the words “the other parent” or “the child’s mother/father”, or perhaps “Jimmy’s dad”. This may not seem like a big deal, however many parents in a separated family situation often refer to the other parent as “their ex” or many other not-so-pleasant names. You know the type of things I mean.
When... Read more
Blog Post | 01 December, 2020
Do you feel like you’re stepping on eggshells with your partner? Do they ‘keep score’ and hold things against you to get their way?
Power exists in every relationship, whether it’s with your partner, a family member, friend, or even a colleague. A healthy relationship is based on equality and respect. It’s not uncommon for one person to take the lead while the other is more flexible, but this can become a problem when abused.
When one person has control in the relationship, or the ‘upper hand’, this can lead to unhealthy and toxic behaviours. It can make one partner feel scared of the other... Read more
Blog Post | 26 February, 2024
Mental health has become a popular topic on social media, helping reduce stigma and increase awareness around conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism.
But with this, terms like toxic, triggered, boundaries, and gaslighting have made their way into our everyday vocabulary.
While learning the language around our feelings can help us better identify our experiences and seek help, therapy speak can be harmful if used incorrectly.
We explore the potential risks of using therapy speak, and some of... Read more
Blog Post | 01 March, 2013
If you've been watching ABC Television's fantastic series 'Making Couples Happy', you would have had an introduction to the Five Love Languages on last night's episode. One of our Gladstone counsellors, Denise Reichenbach, who writes a fortnightly column for The Gladstone Observer, shares her experience on the importance of understanding what says *love* to your partner:
Who has not heard of or experienced a scenario like this: Hubby is mowing the lawn... Read more
Blog Post | 11 September, 2023
By CEO Natasha RaeThe Voice to Parliament has been approached with the standard debates and misinformation of most political issues. But in this case, a Voice is not a political issue – it’s a human rights issue.
A First Nations Voice wouldn’t stand to create division, empower one side of politics over another, or tilt the balance of democracy. It would stand as a nonpartisan body that represents the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – endorsed by Australia in 2009 – recognises that... Read more
Blog Post | 22 August, 2023
By CEO Natasha Rae
A First Nations Voice to Parliament will not divide us. But the misinformation and fearmongering in the leadup to the referendum are.
The proposed Voice to Parliament has sparked passionate discussions from both sides of the debate as Yes and No campaigners make their cases across the country.
While it’s important to hear from a wide range of diverse voices and perspectives, the spreading of false information and half-truths can be harmful. This can be especially true when dealing with topics related to oppressed and vulnerable communities.
It’s not... Read more
Individual FAQ | 03 June, 2015
Although stress is a commonly used rationale for abuse, this is quite simply not the case. Stress does not cause abuse. We all experience stress however, the majority of us do not hurt others during these times. Abusers who state they are feeling stressed don’t hit their boss, the Police or the neighbour. They do however, choose to victimise family members who have less power. This use of power and control is a choice that can be controlled quite effectively in the public arena. As a result, it is not unreasonable to expect that person to make the... Read more
Individual FAQ | 03 June, 2015
Emotional and verbal abuse are the most common forms of abuse and are present in the majority of abusive relationships, regardless of whether there is physical violence used. Abuse can be very subtle and sometimes, it is difficult to recognise, as the abuser is often very manipulative and convincing. For example, the abuser often convinces the individual that phones are tracked to make sure that person is safe, isolation from friends and family is because they love you more than your friends and family and you are not allowed to work because they love you and want to provide for... Read more
Individual FAQ | 03 June, 2015
Although this is an excuse often used by abusers, it is simply not true. The use of power and control over another person is not as a result of losing control, it is a deliberate behaviour or series of behaviours, put in place to gain control over another person. Domestic violence occurs when someone decides to use physical, sexual, emotional, social and/or spiritual abuse to get their way. Actions are as a result of choices and choices are often made after careful consideration of the other person’s weaknesses and trigger points and the manner in which the abuser can most... Read more
Individual FAQ | 03 June, 2015
Most abusers state they are sorry following an abusive episode, in particular when they have committed physical or emotional abuse. This remorse is part of a pattern of violence. During this phase they may promise it will never happen again, promise to get help, give gifts and do or promise almost anything to ‘get back to normal’. Once the apology is accepted or the relationship returns to ‘normal’, the pattern of abuse and violence begins again.
People who are truly sorry and serious about changing their behaviour will take full responsibility for that behaviour,... Read more