Hunter Valley Walk and Talk Therapy

08/12/2025

I've recently seen many people discussing potential requirements to hand over ID of some form to continue utilising social media.

I can't find anything verifying what is actually happening, so no idea what is fact vs fiction, but if any of this is true I will be unlikely to continue utilising my social media accounts to promote my work if I consider their requirements outside what I'm comfortable handing over.

If you would like to continue following along with Hunter Valley Walk and Talk, or stay up to date with the groups I'll be running in 2026, then I'd love it if you signed up for my blog updates and to receive my newsletters.

Blog: https://huntervalleywalkandtalktherapy.com.au/blog

Newsletter:
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1190658/138120288786187769/share

Mel 🌿

28/11/2025

24/11/2025

As we look to the month ahead and all that means for many - parties, presents, and family gatherings, it's a good time to remember that not everyone has people with whom to gather. And even those who do have people can sometimes feel utterly alone because there's a mismatch between what they need, and what is being offered.

Loneliness can strike anyone, at any time. Recent research has made an attempt understand the causes, and what might be able to be done, to help people find connection and fulfillment in their lives.

I've written about this, in my blog this month: When the village vanishes. Navigating Mid-Life Alone.

As I write, I am perched in my favourite café, surrounded by the overlapping chatter of other patrons. Some are like me, with laptops out, ‘working’. Others are deep in conversation. I scan the room, deliberately distra...

22/11/2025

We have such a beautiful coastline... Whatever the weather.

Newcastle offers some great options for meeting outside. We can follow the coast from Nobbys to Newy and back again, sit under the pine trees at King Edward Park, nestle into the quiet space in Sandhills Community Garden, or if you're not keen to go all the way into town, we can meet in Gregson Park, Hamilton.

These sessions are intentionally relaxed and informal. They meet you exactly where you are and offer a steady, grounded container while you work out where you’re going next.

And with nature acting as co-therapist, you may notice how the earth shares the burden of what feels too heavy, how movement softens what’s stuck, and how open sky creates a blank page for you to begin to pen a new story.....

Tues, Weds or Thurs.
11am-8pm
$155
70 minutes.

16/11/2025

We understand this concept in other relationships. What happens if you ignore your spouse when they tell you that something you are doing isn’t working for them?

It’s about time we understood this with parents too. Parents: it’s really not that hard. Listen to your kids when they are telling you that what you’re doing isn’t working for them.

15/11/2025

Brené Brown is a researcher who has translated academic theory into a language we can all understand and relate to. I've been a little obsessed with her work for years. So much of what she has to say just makes sense.

I came across this talk recently, where she she shares her thoughts around how we can make peace with people we may never be able to reconcile with.

It's called ambiguous loss. It can occur when we are estranged from someone important to us, when someone disappears and we don't know if they are alive or dead, when a loved one develops dementia or an active addiction and among other things, when we have a falling out with someone who won't own their part in the dysfunction, and to go along like 'nothing' happened, is a compromise to your own wellbeing - so you have to let the relationship go.

One of the commenters sums up how these feelings land, with these haunting words:

"For me it was an image of me sitting at the train station waiting for years until I could finally say “she’s not coming”and board the train."

Brené is offering us an opportunity to jump on the same train:

How to Make Peace When Things Can't Be FixedSome wounds don’t come with apologies. Some relationships won’t be repaired. But your healing doesn’t have to wai...

14/11/2025

When I was a kid, if the phone rang after 8.30 or 9 at night, it was An Event. Something was *wrong*.

It was just accepted that we didn't contact people after a certain time, that we had to wait to talk to our friends, that nothing guaranteed instant communication or replies.

There was a lot more Space

Space to be alone. Space to think. Space to miss someone.

Now. Well now we are forced into almost instant communication expectations with everyone. No matter who they are.

But what if we started to shift those expectations?

To switch our phones off overnight?
To wait before replying?
To leave messages on read?
To see messages left on read without assuming the person doesn't care about us?

I don't know that we are built for all this constant contact... For all these expectations...

Unless it's clear a quick response is needed, I don't typically respond immediately to anyone.

Friends send me a lot of memes/funny videos on Insta. They are making friendship 'bids' and I love that. But they'll sit there a few days before I'm ready to watch them.

Sometimes I'll get a message that doesn't need a reply.

Sometimes it can wait 'til the morning to ask a person that pressing question that popped in my mind at 10pm...

We don't owe anyone our immediate attention just because a message has arrived on our phones. Not every communication is an emergency.

Most of us aren't first responders or surgeons being called in to save lives...

If we step back, we realise that other people's urgency doesn't have to be ours.

Its OK to pause. It's OK to delay. It's OK to not get back to someone immediately when it can, really, wait.

12/11/2025

Trauma can impact every part of our wellbeing — body, mind, and heart. While self-care can’t erase the pain, it can help you regain control and begin to heal.

Here are a few simple, evidence-based ways to nurture yourself through tough times:
1️. Acknowledge your feelings
2️. Create a safe space
3️. Practice slow, steady breathing
4️. Nourish your body
5️. Seek support
6️. Set healthy boundaries

Healing takes time — be gentle with yourself. 💛

12/11/2025

Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. . .

12/11/2025

Make a splash at Lambton Pool’s FREE community open day and POOL PARTY this Sunday, November 16.

Our community open day will be running from 1.00pm until 4.00pm at our centre with an array of fun activities.

To celebrate, there are lots of activities to keep you and your family entertained, including;

– FREE entry
– A delicious sausage sizzle to cater to your well-earned appetite
– A range of games for kids of all ages

Bring your family and friends to come and have a look at our amazing centre, we can’t wait to see you there!

12/11/2025