Blog Post | 10 February, 2021
Can positivity be a bad thing?
The phrase “toxic positivity” refers to the idea that having a positive attitude and “good vibes only” is the best way to live. It tells us that negative emotions are bad, and expressing feelings such as sadness, anger and disappointment makes us weak or not fun to be around.
But no one feels happy all the time, and ups and downs are a normal part of life. Suppressing negative emotions can cause more psychological harm, and can even lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
We hope these tips help you avoid toxic positivity and be more... Read more
Blog Post | 14 February, 2016
Valentine’s Day is much celebrated in Australia and its popularity is increasing by the year. It’s an opportunity to strengthen bonds of love with partners, family, friends or those we secretly admire. This Valentine’s Day, as well as offering flowers and chocolates, try bringing other gifts to your relationship that can be appreciated throughout the year.
Dr Gary Chapman, directs us to the five love languages, as a way for us to connect with our partners and create long lasting, happy and stable relationships. Dr Chapman identifies the love languages as:
Gifts – loving through giving and... Read more
Individual FAQ | 03 June, 2015
The focus is on you and your relationships, but we acknowledge that other issues, such as addictions, anxiety and depression, domestic violence or trauma are issues, which sometimes impact relationships. The Rainbow Service does not rule out working with such issues within this context but if appropriate, your Rainbow Service counsellor may suggest referring you to other specialist services.
Article | 12 April, 2016
Defining what makes a fulfilling, intimate relationship.
A 'good adult relationship' means different things to different people. And there are many different kinds of relationships. The couple relationship may be the most important one in our society. It is often the main relationship in people's lives; it is the basis of a family (and this is the place where most of us learn about adult love, about negotiation, about how to change and how to compromise), and it is often an economic unit.
What do we mean by 'adult relationship'?
Some relationships between adults are mainly sexual, but all... Read more
Blog Post | 27 March, 2023
You’ve accomplished so much in your life already! It’s perfectly okay that you find yourself thinking about moving in with your children.
Seniors choose to move in with their child for many reasons such as the rising cost of living, changing health and care needs, or to be closer together.
Moving into your child’s home may strengthen your relationship and can be mutually beneficial. It’s important to prepare for potential problems and to maintain a healthy, happy dynamic between you and your child when making the decision about moving in with them.
The level of care that you need
You’... Read more
Blog Post | 21 September, 2020
Worried a friend or someone you know is in an abusive or unhealthy relationship, but not sure what to do?
Whether you suspect the abuse is physical, emotional, financial or other, it can be hard to know how to support someone in this situation.
Learn some of the signs that might indicate your friend is in an abusive relationship, and how you can help.
Know the signs of abuse
There are many different types of domestic and family abuse, and some of them can be harder to spot than others. Not all abuse involves hitting or can be identified by bruises or physical wounds.
Some less... Read more
Blog Post | 19 October, 2020
Feel like therapy isn’t helping?
It can be frustrating to leave your counselling session feeling like you’re in the same place you were before you started. While you may not be seeing the progress you’d like, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of your sessions.
Here are some questions to ask yourself if therapy isn’t working for you.
Are you going regularly enough?
Change and healing take time and ongoing commitment, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get results after one session. If you’re not going to counselling regularly (or as... Read more
Blog Post | 27 April, 2021
Are your conversations with your friend a little one-sided? Do they talk about their lives and problems without showing any interest in yours?
Relationships are all about give and take. It’s normal for there to be times when one person is in a crisis and needs more focus and support than the other – after all, being a good listener is part of being a good friend. But in general, a friendship should be based on mutual support.
It can be draining to feel like the emotional dumping ground for a friend, especially if... Read more
Blog Post | 20 January, 2021
They say our differences bring us closer together, but this isn’t always the case when it comes to politics, religion, and other topics that can be sensitive.
It’s normal for us to disagree on things from time to time. We all hold our own values and beliefs, even if we share DNA. But it can range from a little uncomfortable to infuriating when we’re constantly clashing with our parents.
We hope these tips help you keep your cool and get along with your parents, even if you butt heads over the big stuff. Unless they have some truly toxic beliefs, your aim should be to get your point across... Read more
Blog Post | 10 May, 2021
There can come a time in even the happiest relationships where things feel a little… meh.
Whether you’ve been together for a while or you’re simply stuck in the same old routine, it’s normal to feel the excitement slip away from time to time.
The good news is that with just a little effort, you can reignite that spark and add some fun back to your relationship.
Try these tips if your relationship or marriage is in a rut.
Plan something exciting together
Sometimes the planning and anticipation of something can be just as fun as the thing itself!
Planning something like a holiday, party... Read more