Banksia Psychology & Supervision

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Warilla, NSW
Banksia Psychology & Supervision

Illawarra psychology service passionate about perinatal mental health, sexual/reproductive health, and healthy relationships.

Please get in touch via our email to make a new referral. info@banksiapsych.com
www.banksiapsych.com We named our practice after the Banksia plant because of its unique ability to regenerate after exposure to bushfires. We view the process of therapy similarly - as a space to grow, reflect, and develop capacity following challenges that may be faced in our lifetimes. We provide psychological therapy to adolescents (16+) and adults, and clinical supervision to provisional psychologists and other mental health professionals. Sessions can be accessed in person at our Warilla location or via telehealth (phone or Zoom-based). We take a person-centered and genuine approach to our practice and aim to make your experience of therapy meaningful and collaborative.

17/06/2024

The transition to parenthood affects the family as a whole, and there is a need for our health systems in Western nations to shift to acknowledging this more fully. Given the prevalence of reported mental health concerns in parents in Australia during the perinatal period (1 in 5 women, and 1 in 10 men) there is a huge importance in providing holistic support proactively. Fathers play a significant role in their childrens’ development and in support of their partners, and are too often ‘missed’ in the antenatal period. Today is an opportunity to hold fathers in mind and consider ways of bringing them into our support of families.

18/11/2023

Thanks to for another incredible training experience. Brooke and Mathew have completed the Perinatal Training Centre’s ‘Bearing the Unbearable’ training focused on supporting families who have experienced perinatal loss. Whether it is grief relating to infertility and conception difficulties, or the heartbreaking experience of loss of a child in pregnancy or after birth, the experience of grief is a highly distressing and disorganising experience for parents and their wider systems. If seeking therapeutic support, it is important to be held through this experience by clinicians that are oriented to the considerations around perinatal loss. The Perinatal Training Centre has done an amazing job of putting together a sensitive and clinically enriching training opportunity.

We are happy to be part of a network of clinicians around the country who can support families with the experience of perinatal loss.

Support can also be found at

05/11/2023

💙Spending uninterrupted quality time with your child is important to their overall development.

Quality time with your child signifies to them that they matter - and they are worthy of your time. It makes them feel valued and loved.

Check out some ideas for spending quality time together with your child by downloading the dad date tip sheet: https://thefatheringproject.org/10-more-minutes-matters/

27/10/2023

A big congratulations to our Dr Brooke Van Zanden, who has recently completed her clinical psychology endorsement pathway!! Brooke has worked extremely hard to achieve this goal over the last few years. We are very proud of her!

Brooke now has availability for new referrals to see clients in person or via Telehealth. Brooke’s interests and training are in Perinatal and Infant Mental Health and Reproductive Psychology, including concerns relating to painful in*******se (vulvodynia and vaginismus).

Get in touch to make a referral 😊
E: info@banksiapsych.com

12/09/2023

Fatherhood can feel relentless. The demands of caring for a young family never stop, but in tandem with that, you also have to stay afloat at work potentially.

To withstand those twin pressures, paying extra attention to your self-care routine pays off.

Here are a couple of self-care tips to boost your resilience and stay physically and mentally on track

🏋🏽 Keep on moving.
Maintaining some form of physical activity will help you feel better in your body and mind as it releases neurochemicals that improve mood and are protective against perinatal depression and anxiety.

💤 Get sleep smart.
As a new dad, you can’t control how often your baby wakes up at night. Try to get to bed earlier to make up for the inevitable disturbances. Catching up on the weekends can help; even just lying down and allowing your body to rest for a 45-minute window is restorative.

🔋Upgrade your fuel.
When you’re sleep deprived, you’re already running close to empty. It is essential that you’re powered up on quality fuel. Staying properly hydrated and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can help offset some of the negative Impacts of sleep loss.

🤳🏼Stay connected.
Fatherhood can prove socially isolating. Spending time with your mates is an effective way to decompress and protect your mental wellbeing, so see how you can fit some of this in.

🗣️ Keep talking.
Whether you’re struggling a lot or just a little, open up and share your concerns. You could discuss it with your partner, talk to your mates or even broach the subject with your GP. At any point, you can ask for help.

Visit https://www.gidgetfoundation.org.au/resources/fact-sheets for more helpful resources and support for new dads.

30/08/2023

We are so pleased to be welcomed as members to the Centre of Perinatal Psychology’s network of mental health professionals. We have found the training offerings from the Centre incredibly rewarding and enriching. Check out their website for great resources and program offerings that support the entire perinatal period from pre-conception onwards.

19/06/2023

Today, we shine a spotlight on the significance of father-inclusive practice and its profound impact on children's lives.

Embracing father-inclusive practice means recognising and valuing the unique contributions that fathers bring to the parenting journey. By actively involving fathers in decision-making, caregiving, and nurturing, we create a harmonious and balanced environment where children thrive.

Fathers are caregivers, nurturers, and role models, capable of providing love, support, and guidance. By breaking free from limiting expectations, we allow fathers to embrace their full potential and positively influence their children's lives.

Fathers experience a range of emotions, stresses, and challenges particularly in the perinatal period (with 1 in 10 dads diagnosed with Postnatal Anxiety or Depression. Father-inclusive practice extends beyond the individual. Building strong networks and supportive communities that acknowledge and value fathers' roles is essential. By connecting fathers with resources, peer support, and educational opportunities, we create a collective space that uplifts and empowers fathers to be actively engaged in their children's lives.

When fathers actively participate in their children's lives, they become powerful role models. Their involvement cultivates healthy relationships, boosts self-esteem, and instills values that shape the next generation. By nurturing father-child bonds, we create a positive ripple effect that reverberates through families and communities.

We are proud to practice from a father-inclusive framework and welcome the opportunity to support dads.

13/06/2023

International Men's Health Week, observed annually in June, aims to raise awareness about the health challenges that men face and promote their overall well-being. This year’s theme is Healthy Habits, with a focus on encouraging boys and men to make small changes to their lifestyle that can benefit their health and wellbeing.

Mental health is an essential aspect of overall wellness, and it affects everyone, regardless of gender. However, men often face unique challenges when it comes to mental well-being. Societal expectations, stereotypes, and a reluctance to seek help can make it harder for men to open up and address their mental health concerns.

It's crucial that we break down these barriers and create an environment where men feel safe, supported, and encouraged to prioritise their mental well-being. Here are a few reasons why men's mental health matters:

1️⃣ Breaking the stigma: By raising awareness and talking openly about men's mental health, we can challenge the stigma that prevents many men from seeking help. Let's create a culture that embraces vulnerability and encourages open conversations about emotions.

2️⃣ Promoting healthy relationships: When men prioritise their mental health, it positively impacts their relationships with loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Healthy emotional well-being allows for deeper connections and stronger support networks.

3️⃣ Reducing the impact of stress: Men often face significant pressures related to work, family, and societal expectations. Normalising proactive management of these stressors and living a balanced life in line with values is an important shift for our work-focused culture.

4️⃣ Setting an example: When men prioritise their mental health, they become role models for future generations. By showing vulnerability and seeking support, they inspire others to do the same, creating a positive ripple effect in their communities.

13/06/2023

This week Is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week.

The first few years of our children’s life is a critical time in which infants lay down a blueprint for their ability to regulate emotions and their expectations about relationships and the world around them.

How as parents can we support infant mental health?

-Delight in your baby! Babies flourish when they experience shared moments of joy, playfulness, and connection with their caregivers.
-Repairing and connecting after moments of frustration – It’s okay to have moments things are tricky; in fact, the act of repairing and connecting with your baby is an incredibly valuable experience in itself.
-Predictability – You don’t need a rigid routine to provide a predictable environment for your bub. Through many moments of having their needs predictably responded to, your baby will learn to anticipate that their needs will be met or emotions will be soothed in a reliable way.
-Helping to Organise Feelings – By comforting your baby and letting them know that you acknowledge and see their emotions (all of them, including the tricky ones), it helps your child learn how to identify their own emotional states over time, which helps build their capacity to regulate their emotions as they grow.
-Take care of yourself – As a parent you can’t pour from an empty cup. Acknowledging and supporting your own needs and wellbeing is important. Not just because it can help you to better regulate your own emotions under stress, but as parents we all deserve to feel supported and cared for.

05/06/2023

Where is this year going?! It’s been a while since we have posted, and a very busy season of life between work, parenting, and the day-to-day.
We wanted to share this amazing intensive training that we are currently undertaking through June run by the . Already, it has been great to get a deep dive on such a complex, fascinating, and important area of practice. Dr Bronwyn Leigh has also been an amazing presenter. Looking forward to integrating these ideas into our practice.

We also have some spots for new clients open from July for:
- perinatal mental health (of mothers and fathers),
- men’s mental health,
- parenting support, and
- women’s reproductive health psychology.

Appointments available on Mondays, and will likely fill fast.

- Mat & Brooke

03/06/2023

Struggling during her pregnancy with twins, Reana wanted her partner to advocate for her at antenatal appointments, but he was struggling too – with being ignored.

08/03/2023

Happy International Women’s Day 💕

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Warilla, NSW
2528

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8:30am - 5pm

Website

http://www.banksiapsych.com/

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