Positive Psychology Centre

27/07/2023

The adolescent years. Rich in learnings, but less so in support options.

And as teenagers seek independence, forging their own identity, they often relegate their caregiver to the role of ‘observer’.

So if you feel like your teen may need support navigating their coming-of-age, Nell Chen – based at our Mornington location – may be able to help.

Nell is an accredited mental health social worker and uses a combination of Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Music and Play Therapy to help her clients express themselves safely.

She is also fluent in Mandarin and loves to support cross-cultural conversation.

Want to arrange an appointment with Nell?

Enquire today to take the first step: https://positivepsychology.net.au/new-enquiries/

25/07/2023

Sometimes life’s challenges feel like they’re on repeat. It’s a new situation, place or person – yet the same old feelings pop up.

Why does this happen?

It often comes down to the stories we tell ourselves.

So, at Positive Psychology, we offer a group program that allows you a safe space to understand and rewrite these old stories. And choose a narrative more aligned with what you do want.

Take a look today at our availability, and take the first step towards your life’s next chapter:

Healing Old Wounds - Becoming Your Own Hero Run by Positive Psychology, this is a 4-week program that uses narrative and cognitive therapy (including private writing and group discussion) to build self-understanding, self-compassion and a more resilient coping style. You will learn to stop rehashing...

18/07/2023

Feeling at a loss when it comes to your child’s emotions?

Ashlee Mitchell, based at our Mornington location, may be able to help.

Ashlee is an expert in helping children and adolescents come to grips with developmental and circumstantial challenges.

Her Masters in Clinical Psychology and her Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Adolescent Counselling inform her attentive approach.
And she draws on a range of therapeutic techniques – such as Child-centred Play Therapy and Mindfulness Meditation.

Want to arrange an appointment with Ashlee?

Enquire today to take the first step: https://positivepsychology.net.au/new-enquiries/

11/07/2023

Feeling stressed? Burnt out? we’ve reached the halfway point of the year, let’s take a moment to check in.

How are our sleeping patterns, career, health and relationships?

Taking stock of where we’re at can give us the space to reflect on any extra support we may need.

If you’d like some strategies to support your wellbeing, enquire today to take the first step.

Enquire here: https://positivepsychology.net.au/new-enquiries/

06/07/2023

Parents: do you ever wish you could react to emotional overwhelm the way your kids do? With a foot stamp, a loud scream and uncontrollable crying?

Well, you wouldn’t be alone.

Emotions can be bewildering. Even for us ‘big people’.

And this is why emotional self-regulation is a vital skill to learn – and we can do so at any stage of life.

And the beauty of mastering these skills as a parent? They’ll not only help us self-soothe, but indirectly teach our little ones, too.

This month on the Positive Psychology blog, Clinical Psychologist Registrar Ashlee Mitchell shares her self-regulation strategies for parents.

Read here: https://positivepsychology.net.au/2023/07/06/teach-dont-tantrum-emotional-self-regulation-for-parents/

29/06/2023

Being a parent is a stressful job. And it truly is a job – one that requires us to be open, non-judgmental and patient.

Of course, that’s a tall order. When our child asks ‘Why?’ for the 257th time today, patience can be hard to access.

Mindfulness training can help us achieve a greater sense of calm by connecting us to the present moment.

At Positive Psychology, we offer a mindfulness group program to equip anyone with the fundamentals of this beneficial practice.

Take a look today at our availability, and take the first step towards a lasting sense of calm:

https://positivepsychology.net.au/product/mindfulness-group-program/

30/05/2023

Ever wondered where the name of our practice came from?

‘Positive psychology’ is a branch of psychotherapy dedicated to the positive aspects of being human: happiness, wellbeing and connection among them.

These have as much to teach us as ‘negative’ or distressing emotions do. That’s our philosophy.

It’s also the style of psychotherapy that runs through our three practices – informed by our founder’s expertise in the area.

If it resonates with you, consider reaching out to discuss how we can help you improve your wellbeing:
https://positivepsychology.net.au/new-enquiries/

10/05/2023

Children are sensitive to the world around them.

As any parent knows, a stolen toy, a misfitting LEGO piece or even the word ‘No’ could send them into a full-blown emotional eruption.

So what are we supposed to do when our children are in distress?
Improving their understanding of their emotions is a crucial starting point.

And our very own Ashlee Mitchell, a clinical psychologist with a special interest in childhood development, is here to explain how.

We all want our children to leave home with some fundamental life skills. Cooking. Cleaning. Doing their taxes. These will undoubtedly help them navigate the world. But what if their inner world is in turmoil? When we’re in the grips of overwhelming emotions, even boiling an egg is a daunting task...

01/05/2023

Psychologists get into the field because we are fascinated by the human mind. Relentless curiosity drives us to expand our own: professional development can satisfy that while we up our game.

At Positive Psychology, we offer professional development courses designed for those in the mental health industry.

Across one or two days, expand your understanding of specialist areas of practice – like applied neuroscience, or the pathophysiology of panic disorder.

As stimulating as they are practical, each course equips participants with strategies and insights to apply in their own practice.

Browse our selection of professional development workshops here: https://positivepsychology.net.au/services/

17/04/2023

Dr Debra Campbell is a psychologist with a touch of celebrity.

Debra works in our Mornington practice, seeing clients across a broad spectrum of circumstances: individual therapy, couples therapy, life coaching and beyond.

On top of her psychology work, she moonlights as an author, blogger and podcaster.

She’s already published two books: Lovelands, a memoir and self-help hybrid about love gone wrong; and How to be Your Own Hero, a psychologist’s notes on coping with mental turbulence.

Find Debra’s books on her website: https://www.drdebracampbell.com

And make an appointment to see her yourself on ours: https://positivepsychology.net.au/new-enquiries/

03/04/2023

Burnout at the start of the year is more common than we think.

We return from the holidays, guns blazing – refreshed and with renewed ambition – and jump into work.

Soon enough, we’re spent. And we can’t understand why.

While we can’t get an official diagnosis for burnout in Australia, psychologists can still be of great help. To understand burnout better, and put healthier work habits in place, speak to one of our expert practitioners.

https://positivepsychology.net.au/contact/

07/03/2023

Feeling lost or unhappy in our jobs is a common feeling.

And the source of our unhappiness could be far more complex than we think.

From misalignments between our work and our values to a fixation on earning more, the intersection between us and our work is always fraught.

Discover the driving forces behind our professional wanderlust on the Positive Psychology blog – with insights from our own Cathy Caballero.

If we’re ready for a career change, Cathy says, career counselling is a wise first step.

https://positivepsychology.net.au/2023/03/06/from-stagnation-to-satisfaction-how-career-counselling-can-set-you-on-the-right-path/