CQ Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine Services

CQ Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine Services Online Services only. ACA 4 & Fellow of lifestyle medicine 🌱 Workcover accepted. Testing of neurodivergence is also available, see ad

I dont like doing videos but if this can help please use it. I've developed this over the last few years and it only tak...
02/11/2025

I dont like doing videos but if this can help please use it. I've developed this over the last few years and it only takes 60 seconds.

This is a tapping and breathing sequence I have developed and use for people with anxiety, depression, blocked thoughts, and trauma response. It can be used ...

19/10/2025

🌿 Living Well with Graves’ Disease

A Lifestyle Medicine and Counselling Perspective (from lived experience)

Graves’ disease can turn life upside down, your heart races, your energy fluctuates, sleep disappears, and emotions can run high. As both a counsellor and someone who has lived through Graves’ disease, I understand how deeply it affects every part of your life, body, mind, and spirit.

💚 Lifestyle medicine and counselling can work alongside medical care to restore calm, balance, and confidence. It’s not about replacing your medication; it’s about supporting your recovery and long-term stability.

🌱 Key Areas of Support

🧘‍♀️ Stress and Emotional Regulation
Chronic stress can worsen autoimmune symptoms. Gentle breathing, tapping, meditation, or counselling can help reduce cortisol and calm the nervous system. A vital step in rebalancing thyroid health.

🥦 Nutrition & Inflammation
A whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet (vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats) helps reduce immune overactivity. Avoiding excess iodine and processed foods can make a real difference.

😴 Sleep & Recovery
Fatigue and restlessness are common. Good sleep hygiene, calming evening rituals, and light movement (walking, yoga, stretching) help the body repair and stabilise hormone rhythms.

💬 Counselling & Self-Compassion
Graves’ can leave you feeling anxious, teary, or unlike yourself. Counselling helps process those emotions, rebuild self-trust, and manage the psychological toll of living with an invisible illness.

🌻 A Message from Teens

I’ve lived through the fatigue, tremors, and uncertainty. What helped me most was combining medical care with daily lifestyle practices, such as grounding, self-care, mindful nutrition, and emotional honesty. These small steps helped me regain control, and I now teach them to others through my counselling and lifestyle medicine work.

If you’re living with Graves’ disease, know this: you are not broken, and you are not alone.
There is a path forward, steady, calm, and supported.

Send a message to learn more

25/09/2025

If youre a registered counsellor in these areas please contact me.

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Populi Solutions is growing, and we’re thrilled to share that we’ve recently won new business across several regions!

As our reach expands, we’re on the lookout for local practitioners who are passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives.

We’d love your referrals or recommendations for practitioners based in the following areas:

-Ballina
-Murwillumbah
-Grafton
-Bathurst
-Orange
-Mudgee
-Dubbo
-Condobolin
-Narromine

If you know a skilled and passionate practitioner in any of these regions, we’d love to connect. Together, we can continue to bring high-quality, person-centred programs to communities that need them most. 💡

Drop us a message, or an email with any contact details.

Let’s keep growing and creating impact, thank you for being part of our journey! 🫶🏼

Many people are too frightened by the feelings and emotions that run with this to forgive their past.
06/05/2025

Many people are too frightened by the feelings and emotions that run with this to forgive their past.

05/05/2025
06/04/2025

Hi everyone. I havent been on the page much getting some health concerns attended to. Off to see the specialist today in Rockhampton to try and get this Graves diagnosed and under control. Had to go to hospital by ambulance on Thursday night. Heart rate was peaking 140 plus, and I wasn't feeling the best. I had a run of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia the ambulance officer said. Blood tests at hospital were T3 0.01 and T4 53.5. So hopefully I won't be feeling like I can't do anything soon. Have a wonderful day 😊

I've created a dopamine ladder for people with addictions. When you feel the urge to do something you do that is not ben...
29/03/2025

I've created a dopamine ladder for people with addictions. When you feel the urge to do something you do that is not beneficial for you, (such as gambling, drinking, Facebooking) climb the ladder

17/02/2025

A bit on internal dialogues. Have you ever wondered what they are?

I know that sometimes your mind feels like a crowded room, filled with voices pulling you in different directions. Some of those voices push you forward, telling you that you’re capable, strong, and resilient. Others whisper doubts, making you hesitate, second-guess yourself, or procrastinate until the weight of unfinished tasks becomes overwhelming.
This is your internal dialogue, the constant conversation between different parts of you.
Some voices are familiar, like an old friend reminding you of past successes. Others echo words you've heard before, from teachers, parents, or even fleeting moments of criticism that stuck longer than they should have. These internal dialogues shape how you see yourself, how you act, and how you react to the world.
There’s the Motivator, the part of you that believes in your potential and encourages you to keep going, even when things feel difficult. It says, “You’ve done hard things before; you can do this again.”
Then there’s the Doubter, the cautious voice that warns you about failure or embarrassment. Sometimes it tries to protect you, but other times it keeps you stuck, whispering things like, “You’ll mess this up,” or “Why even try?”
And then there’s the Procrastinator, who convinces you that there’s always tomorrow. It tells you, “You’re not in the right mood right now,” or “You work best under pressure anyway.” But deep down, you know how exhausting it feels when tasks pile up.
Here’s the truth: You are not just one of these voices. You are the one listening to them. You get to decide which ones you give power to.
When the Doubter is loud, remind yourself: “I don’t have to be perfect; I just have to start.”
When the Procrastinator takes over, tell it: “Action creates motivation, not the other way around.”
And when the Motivator speaks, lean into it. Repeat what it says. Believe it.
You are not your worst thoughts. You are not defined by your hardest moments. You are the one in control of this dialogue, and with practice, you can make the loudest voice in your head one of kindness, encouragement, and self-trust.
Have you ever caught yourself dismissing your own feelings, second-guessing your experiences, or telling yourself that you’re "just overreacting"? That’s called self-gaslighting, and it happens when you undermine your own emotions, thoughts, or memories, often without even realising it.
It might sound like this:
“I’m probably just being too sensitive.”
“Maybe I imagined it… it wasn’t that bad.”
“Other people have it worse. I should just get over it.”
Self-gaslighting happens when you internalise doubt, often because of past experiences where your feelings weren’t validated. Maybe you grew up in an environment where you were told you were “too emotional” or had your experiences minimised. Over time, you learned to silence yourself before anyone else could.
But here’s the thing: Your emotions are real. Your experiences matter. Your pain is valid. You don’t have to justify your feelings to anyone, including yourself.
Instead of dismissing your emotions, try this:
Pause and acknowledge: “I’m feeling this way for a reason.”
Reframe the thought: Instead of “Maybe I’m just overreacting,” try “My feelings are valid, and I deserve to explore them.”
Talk to yourself with kindness: Imagine what you would say to a friend who felt this way. Now, say it to yourself.
You don’t need permission to trust yourself. You are allowed to believe in your own reality, to feel what you feel, and to give yourself the same understanding you so freely give others.

Send a message to learn more

We have a new number at CQ Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine Services. 0480 766052.
04/02/2025

We have a new number at CQ Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine Services.

0480 766052.

24/12/2024

To you and yours from CQ Counselling and Lifestyle Medicine Services

Managing Christmas Stress and Anxiety - How to Keep the Holidays JoyfulThe holidays are often described as the most wond...
27/11/2024

Managing Christmas Stress and Anxiety - How to Keep the Holidays Joyful

The holidays are often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, they also bring heightened stress and anxiety. Understanding the brain's response to stress and how to manage it can help make the season more peaceful and enjoyable for everyone.

Why Does Holiday Stress Happen?
The brain’s amygdala, responsible for the "fight or flight" response, often kicks into overdrive during the holidays due to
Financial pressures
Social obligations
Family dynamics
Perfectionism or high expectations
When the amygdala is triggered, cortisol (the stress hormone) is released, leading to symptoms like
Irritability
Fatigue
Overwhelm
Physical tension
Symptoms of Holiday Stress
Feeling irritable or short-tempered
Worrying excessively about gifts, meals, or family interactions
Physical signs like headaches or a racing heart
Trouble sleeping or feeling emotionally drained
Tips to Keep the Holidays Stress-Free
Set Realistic Expectations
Not everything has to be perfect. Focus on connection, not perfection. Discuss as a family what’s most important to everyone.
Plan Ahead
Create a simple holiday plan. Write down key tasks like shopping, decorating, and cooking. Spreading tasks over days can reduce last-minute pressure.
Take Breaks
Schedule downtime. Read a book, take a walk, or enjoy a quiet cup of tea. Rest is crucial for resetting the brain’s stress response.
Practice Gratitude
Take a moment each day to reflect on something you’re thankful for. Gratitude reduces anxiety and boosts serotonin levels.
Involve the Family
Delegate tasks to family members, like decorating or cooking. Sharing responsibilities not only eases your load but also fosters teamwork and bonding.
Communicate Boundaries
If certain family topics cause stress, kindly set boundaries. For example: “Let’s avoid discussing X and focus on enjoying the holiday.”
Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises
Practice deep breathing or mindfulness when overwhelmed. A few minutes can calm the amygdala and lower cortisol levels.
Handy Tip for Families
"Create a Calm Corner":
Designate a cozy space where anyone in the family can retreat for a few minutes to relax. Include a soft chair, calming scents (like lavender), and a small journal to write down thoughts or gratitude.
By managing expectations, prioritising self-care, and fostering open communication, you can make the holidays more joyful and less stressful for everyone. Remember, the magic of Christmas comes from the love and togetherness we share not from perfection.

Share this handy guide with friends and family to spread the cheer and keep stress at bay

HoHoHo

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Boyne Island, QLD
4680

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