Creating Change Psychology & Counselling

09/02/2026

It’s been a while in finding its legal feet but we are so relieved that coercive control is now spoken about, recognised and now there is a consequence.

Last week, Callum Fairleigh became the first person in NSW to serve prison time for coercive control. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 15 months.

Samantha, who is protected by a 10-year apprehended violence order, gave permission for her first name to be published to help victim-survivors feel less alone.

Read the full story by Amber Schultz: https://tinyurl.com/2f5ratfu

29/01/2026

If you’ve met Shannon Salama, you’ll know she’s thoughtful, steady, and really sharp. She brings a strong science-first approach to therapy, grounded in evidence and careful formulation, so sessions don’t just feel supportive they’re purposeful. Shannon is the kind of psychologist who helps clients understand what’s happening in their brain and body, and then translates that into practical, realistic strategies you can actually use in day-to-day life.

A big part of what she brings to psychology is her research mindset. Shannon has conducted research exploring whether a “brain BMI” measure may help predict bipolar disorder risk in people who have a parent with bipolar disorder, with findings suggesting certain brain patterns alongside a higher BMI may be linked with increased likelihood. That curiosity and rigour shows up in her clinical work too she’s thorough, thoughtful, and stays close to what the evidence suggests, while still tailoring therapy to the person in front of her.

We’re lucky to have Shannon on our team. If you’re looking for a psychologist who is skilled, calm, and genuinely invested in doing therapy well, she’s someone we’re proud to recommend.

14/12/2025

Like many Australians, we have been sitting with the shock and sadness of the Bondi Beach tragedy.

Events like this don’t just frighten us in the moment they can quietly shake our core beliefs, that the future is predictable, that public places are mostly safe, that “it won’t happen here”. When those beliefs take a hit, it’s common to notice your mind start scanning for danger, replaying scenarios, or widening the fear to everything and everywhere.

If that’s you, it can help to address it early, before it generalises into a bigger worry....
- Notice the shift “My brain is trying to keep me safe by thinking big”
- Reduce repeated exposure to graphic footage and constant updates as it keeps the alarm system switched on.
- Return to basics on purpose focus on your sleep, movement, regular meals, time with safe people.
- Take one small step back toward normal life, rather than avoiding everything.
- Talk it through sooner rather than later with someone steady a trusted person, your GP, or a psychologist.

And if you’re supporting kids simple, honest answers, reassurance about what’s being done to keep people safe, and a gentle watch on how much news they’re consuming.

My thoughts are with the people who were harmed, their loved ones, and the communities directly impacted. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or not safe, reach out for immediate support.

04/12/2025

Big news for our Hills community.

Over the past 20 years at Creating Change, we’ve seen just how many people are living with the ongoing effects of trauma from childhood experiences and family violence, to accidents, medical emergencies and single shocking events. Many people feel like they “should be over it by now”, but their body, sleep, relationships or mood tell a different story.

We’ve created the Creating Change Trauma Centre to offer a calm, specialised space for psychological trauma assessment and treatment right here in the Hills District.

At the Trauma Centre, we support adults and young people who are struggling with things like:
- Childhood, developmental and attachment trauma
- Relationship, family and domestic violence trauma
- Single-incident accident, medical and emergency trauma
- Complex trauma, PTSD and dissociative symptoms
If you, your child, or someone you care about is feeling stuck in survival mode, help is available. You don’t need to wait until things get worse to reach out.

Learn more about the Creating Change Trauma Centre, what we offer, and how to get started here:
https://creatingchange.net.au/trauma-centre/

You’re welcome to share this with anyone in the Hills/Norwest area who may benefit.

04/12/2025

Big news for our Hills community.

Over the past 20 years at Creating Change, we’ve seen just how many people are living with the ongoing effects of trauma, from childhood experiences and family violence, to accidents, medical emergencies and single shocking events. Many people feel like they “should be over it by now”, but their body, sleep, relationships or mood tell a different story.

We’ve created the Creating Change Trauma Centre to offer a calm, specialised space for psychological trauma assessment and treatment, right here in the Hills District.

At the Trauma Centre, we support adults and young people who are struggling with things like:
- Childhood, developmental and attachment trauma
- Relationship, family and domestic violence trauma
- Single-incident accident, medical and emergency trauma
- Complex trauma, PTSD and dissociative symptoms

If you, your teen, or someone you care about is feeling stuck in survival mode, help is available. You don’t need to wait until things get worse to reach out.

Learn more about the Creating Change Trauma Centre, what we offer, and how to get started here:
https://creatingchange.net.au/trauma-centre/

You’re welcome to share this with anyone in the Hills/Norwest area who may benefit.

04/12/2025

Big news for our Hills community.

Over the past 20 years at Creating Change, we’ve seen just how many people are living with the ongoing effects of trauma – from childhood experiences and family violence, to accidents, medical emergencies and single shocking events. Many people feel like they “should be over it by now”, but their body, sleep, relationships or mood tell a different story.

We’ve created the Creating Change Trauma Centre to offer a calm, specialised space for psychological trauma assessment and treatment – right here in the Hills District.

At the Trauma Centre, we support adults and young people who are struggling with things like:

Childhood, developmental and attachment trauma

Relationship, family and domestic violence trauma

Single-incident accident, medical and emergency trauma

Complex trauma, PTSD and dissociative symptoms

If you, your teen, or someone you care about is feeling stuck in survival mode, help is available. You don’t need to wait until things get worse to reach out.

Learn more about the Creating Change Trauma Centre, what we offer, and how to get started here:
https://creatingchange.net.au/trauma-centre/

You’re welcome to share this with anyone in the Hills/Norwest area who may benefit.

Psychology support from an adult, teenage or child psychologist, hills area, Bella Vista, Norwest near Castle Hill, Kellyville, Rouse Hill, Blacktown. Couples & marriage counselling.

03/12/2025

Supporting a fantastic initiative!

Welcome to Issuu’s blog: home to product news, tips, resources, interviews (and more) related to content marketing and publishing.

03/12/2025

Christmas is often described as a joyful time, but for many people it can also be a season of stress, grief, loneliness, family tension, or big emotions that feel hard to manage. At Creating Change Psychology, we know that mental health doesn’t take a holiday, and support shouldn’t either.

That’s why our practice will remain open throughout the Christmas and New Year period. We believe this time of year is exactly when many challenges arise, and we want to be here for those in our Hills and Norwest community who need a safe, calm and professional space to talk things through. It can be difficult to find treatment at this point in the year, and we are intentionally choosing to stay available so care doesn’t have to pause when life feels most overwhelming.

Our vision is to empower generations to know their value and be calm, connected and in control. Staying open over Christmas is one way we live that out by providing accessible, evidence-based support when it matters most, and by walking alongside you with warmth, respect and genuine care.

If you or someone you care about needs support NOW or over this period, you’re welcome to reach out to our team on 8883 3815 or via our website to discuss appointment options. You don’t have to navigate this season on your own. www.creatingchange.net.au.

02/12/2025

Have you ever finished a big cry and thought, “That was exactly what I needed,” or, on the flip side, “Ugh, I shouldn’t have done that, now I feel even worse”?

Jessica, one of our psychologists at Creating Change, has been digging into this exact topic in her research on crying, beliefs, and wellbeing and the results are surprisingly hopeful.

What she’s found is that it isn’t just the crying itself that matters, but what you believe about your tears.

People who see crying as helpful a release, a way to let pressure out tend to report better wellbeing overall.

But when people believe crying is unhelpful embarrassing, a sign of weakness, or something that “made me feel worse” this is linked with lower life satisfaction and more negative emotion in day-to-day life.

Here’s where it gets really powerful.
Self-compassion (treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend) actually changes the impact of those unhelpful beliefs.

High self-compassion seems to buffer the negativity. In other words, even if a part of you still thinks “I shouldn’t cry,” if you’re kinder to yourself, the emotional fallout is much smaller.

What does that mean for you?

It suggests you don’t have to force yourself to love crying or never cry again. Instead, you can gently work on:
• Noticing the story you tell yourself about your tears
• Softening your self-talk: “It’s okay that I feel this much. I’m human.”
• Remembering that emotional release is not a flaw it’s your nervous system trying to move through something

If crying usually leaves you feeling ashamed or stuck, it might be less about the tears themselves and more about how you’re speaking to yourself afterwards.

Jessica’s work is a reminder that we can take ownership of our emotional health not by shutting feelings down, but by changing the way we relate to them.

If this resonates and you’d like support in building more self-compassion around your emotions, our team at Creating Change is here to help you explore that in a safe, respectful way.

Read more on Beliefs on Crying - https://creatingchange.net.au/belief-about-crying-wellbeing/
Read more on How to Manage Crying - https://creatingchange.net.au/grief-surfing-waves-emotions-loss-sad-coping/

21/11/2025

This morning I was at a Hills business breakfast with the NSW Premier, and I found myself listening not just as a business owner, but as a parent who lives and raises kids in this community.

What really stood out were the same issues I see and feel every day:

As a parent
Trying to get kids out the door, sitting in heavy traffic on Windsor Road, knowing that by the time we all arrive at school or work, our nervous systems are already running hot. The lack of infrastructure and long commutes aren’t just inconvenient they shape how we show up for our families at night and how present we can be.

As a business owner and psychologist
Hearing about the rising cost of workers compensation in NSW, especially with psychosocial injury costs having doubled, is worrying. Behind those numbers are real people, staff who are burnt out, anxious, or struggling in silence, and employers trying to balance care, responsibility, and affordability.

From Creating Change Psychology, we see both sides:
Parents just trying to hold everything together, and workplaces under pressure as mental health and financial realities collide. There are no quick fixes here, and I definitely don’t think one breakfast solves it but conversations like this matter.

I’d love to see:
• more genuine collaboration between business, government, and health on psychosocial risks at work
• local traffic and infrastructure recognised as mental health issues, not just transport problems
• employers and leaders in the Hills supported to be proactive, not just reactive, when someone is already unwell

If you live or work in the Hills as a parent, employee, employer, or all three how are these issues showing up in your life?

30/10/2025

Is your young adult feeling lost after school?
Uni, TAFE, work... or something else?
They're not alone! Our 6-week Launchpad Program helps 17-21 year olds build confidence & direction. Led by psychologist Paris Gibson.
Learn how to turn "I don't know" into "I've got this!"
👉 Learn more or book here: https://creatingchange.net.au/launchpad_program/

Step into life after school with clarity and confidence. LaunchPad helps young adults map pathways (uni/TAFE/work/gap year), build study and work-ready skills, design a wellbeing plan, and leave with a one-page Personal Transition Plan. Practical, supportive, and future-focused your next chapter sta...

09/10/2025

Is your young adult feeling lost after school?
Uni, TAFE, work... or something else?
They're not alone! Our 6-week Launchpad Program helps 17-21 year olds build confidence & direction. Led by psychologist Paris Gibson.
Learn how to turn "I don't know" into "I've got this!"

👉 Learn more or book here: creatingchange.net.au/launchpad_program