Katy Vidler Clinical Psychologist

15/03/2026

Trying new things stimulates neuroplasticity, and boosts dopamine, serotonin & endorphins (which enhance motivation, pleasure, focus and mood, as well as reduce stress).

Doing new things enhances cognitive flexibility which improves creative problem-solving, and builds resilience to stress because when you face unfamiliar situations, your brain learns to cope with uncertainty.

Over time this enhances emotional regulation, stress management, and problem-solving under pressure.

Here’s a simple idea to practice doing something new this week.

13/03/2026

Why Some People Talk More Easily in Therapy When Colouring 🎨

Colouring, doodling, or using something visual during therapy sessions is sometimes helpful for some clients, and this is most welcome in our sessions together.

In fact brand new colouring resources have arrived today, with tear out sheets you can take home.

Some people find that having a gentle activity to focus on during sessions can support concentration, reduce pressure, and make it easier to organise thoughts while talking.

For some individuals on the autism spectrum in particular, research suggests that focusing on a visual task during therapy may assist communication and comfort during therapy.

One participant in a qualitative study exploring autistic adults’ therapy experiences shared: “if all I have to think about is what I'm trying to say, it's harder than if I have something to focus on.”

📚 Reference: Pappagianopoulos, J., Brunt, S., Smith, J. V., Menezes, M., Howard, M., Sadikova, E., Burroughs, C., & Mazurek, M. O. (2025). Therapy Through the Lens of Autism: A qualitative exploration of autistic adults’ therapy experiences. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 25(2), e12861. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12861

You will always be welcome to doodle or colour in our sessions together, and if you’re not sure, you can always have a go and find out.

12/03/2026

Whether it's in your garden, a local nursery, or the hinterland national parks, here’s your reminder to spend some time in nature and allow it to heal and restore you.

11/03/2026

Being mindful of what is going well, what we have, or what we love (even simple things) helps us rewire our brain away from negativity and fear based thinking, and towards noticing positive things that are true and realistic.

Here’s something to prompt gratitude reflection in case you need today.

10/03/2026

Is this what you need today?

If not, what calls?

May you find a way to give it to yourself very soon.

Remember, self care is not selfish, but simply a form of self-responsibility.

09/03/2026

Another principle underpinning the work we do together.

08/03/2026

Is this one of your values?

Living life from our values can help us feel grounded into a purposeful life, and bring some contentment, especially when times are hard.

If this is one of your values, I invite you to reflect on how you are interweaving this through your life, and any way it speaks to you at this time, to guide you if needed.

06/03/2026

Feeling Overwhelmed, Anxious, Depressed or Traumatised?

Life can be challenging, and seeking support can help you build coping skills and resilience.

As an experienced clinical psychologist providing evidence-based strategies, I can help you manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the impacts of trauma.

📍 Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast | 💻 Telehealth available

📞 Book a session today via the website: www.katyvidler.com

All services are provided in accordance with AHPRA standards.

Hi, I'm Katy, and as a Senior Clinical Psychologist with more than 15 years experience, I offer both therapy and clinical supervision on the Gold Coast in Mudgeeraba, and Australia wide by telehealth. BA Dip Ed, G Dip Psych, BSc Psych (Hons), ​MPsych Clin, MAPS, FCCLP. BOOK WITH KATY Reduce anxiet...

05/03/2026

🌿 Can indoor plants improve mental health?

If it's too wet to get into nature this weekend, maybe it's time to bring nature inside.

Many people notice they feel calmer in rooms with plants, natural light, or views of greenery. Research in environmental psychology refers to this as biophilic design — the idea that humans benefit from environments that reconnect us with nature.

Emerging research suggests that natural elements indoors may support wellbeing in several ways:

🌱 Stress reduction
Short-term exposure to indoor environments with natural elements (plants, natural light, water features) has been linked to psychological and physiological relaxation, including reduced stress and fewer negative emotions.

🌱 Support during difficult periods
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 61% of people surveyed said indoor plants helped reduce anxiety associated with isolation.

🌱 Healing environments
Research on healthcare design suggests that natural elements such as plants can be a low-cost way to create more therapeutic and restorative environments.

🌱 Nature and community mental health
A large randomised trial found that greening vacant urban land reduced depressive feelings by 41.5% and self-reported poor mental health by 62.8% among nearby residents.

🌿 What does this mean in everyday life?

Indoor plants are not a treatment for mental health conditions, and the research is still developing. However, early evidence suggests that bringing natural elements into our homes and workplaces may be one simple way to create more supportive environments for wellbeing.

Sometimes improving wellbeing isn’t only about what we do — it’s also about the environments we spend our time in.

Do you have plants at home or in your workspace? Have you noticed any effect on your mood or stress levels?

This weekend, if it's still raining, consider strolling through a local garden centre to get your nature fix, and maybe pick up a plant or two to bring home.



References

Bringslimark T, Hartig T, Patil GG. The psychological benefits of indoor plants: A critical review of the experimental literature. Journal of Environmental Psychology.

Han KT et al. A scoping review of epidemiological studies on indoor plants and health outcomes. Environmental Research.

Yin J et al. Beneficial effects of short-term exposure to indoor biophilic environments. Environmental Research.

Dushkova D et al. Potential risks and beneficial impacts of using indoor plants in the built environment. Building and Environment.

Han KT & Ruan LW. Questionnaires assessing the anxiety alleviation benefits of indoor plants during COVID-19 self-isolation. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies.

South EC et al. Effect of greening vacant land on mental health of community-dwelling adults. JAMA Network Open.

Allen JG et al. Indoor environmental quality and the brain: A systematic review. Building and Environment.

Yin J et al. Effects of biophilic indoor environments on stress and anxiety recovery. Environment International.

Yau Y et al. Biophilic design applied to healthcare facilities. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment.

Australian CDC. Systematic mapping review of Australian research on climate change and health interventions.

Kellert SR et al. Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, wellbeing and productivity.

04/03/2026

Is this one of your thinking styles?

Our automatic thinking styles are developed in response to experiences over the course of our lives so it makes sense that we have them, but they are also often not realistic for what is happening today and can create difficulties and suffering for us.

So it can be great to catch ourselves when we are thinking this way, and gently assess how realistic our thoughts and interpretations are now using real life evidence.

I invite you to practice noticing this thinking style in the coming days and weeks, and, with kindness for yourself, assess whether it stacks up to your current reality, or whether there may be other possibilities.

If you feel stuck and need help with this, please reach out through the website at www.katyvidler.com

03/03/2026

Take tiny steps if needed.

Are you good at this?

It's good to remember and know our strengths, especially during difficult times.

If this is not one of your strengths, but you wish it was, what small step feels possible for you to begin to develop this further?

I invite you to reflect.

02/03/2026

In case you need to hear this today.