Areas of Specialty
Anxiety
Anxiety is often characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of worry, fear, or apprehension. It can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to manage routine activities or relationships. Some of the common forms of anxiety include Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.
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Anxiety often causes people to become hypervigilant of their surroundings, finding it more difficult to 'switch off' or relax. It can be a healthy threat response (ie. you come face-to-face with a wild animal in the jungle) but often it is not linked to any real threat or it is very disproportionate to the threat.
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Depression
Depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It's more than just occasional bouts of sadness; it's a long-lasting condition that can affect how a person thinks, feels and functions in daily life.
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Often, depression can reduce a person's motivation to get out of bed, see the people they love or even maintain personal hygiene. It can also impact quality of sleep, weight gain or weight loss, concentration and memory.
Stress
Stress is both a physiological and psychological response to demands that exceed a person's coping abilities. It can be triggered by various factors, ranging from external pressures (like work or relationship issues) to internal pressures (such as self-imposed expectations or standards). Stress affects how we feel, think, and behave, and can impact our overall health and well-being.
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Chronic stress can also have negative, long-term health implications, including an increased risk of coronary disease and reduced immunity.
ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be present in both children and adults. It is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can interfere with functioning.
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ADHD is typically divided into two main categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Inattention might include being easily distracted, forgetful, difficulty with organistion and a tendency to procrastinate. Hyperactivity might include fidgeting, restlessness and excessive speech.
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OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). Often, the compulsions are performed to reduce the distress caused by the obsessions. The cycle of obsessions and compulsions can interfere significantly with daily life and overall functioning.
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Common examples of intrusive thoughts include fears of contamination, harming others, or having made a terrible mistake. Repetitive behaviours often follow rigid rules and can consist of activities such as washing hands, checking locks, or counting. Often, the repetitive behaviours are not realistically connected to the feared event.
Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a mental health condition in which people experience a pattern of seeing themselves and reacting to others in ways that cause problems. People with personality disorders often have a hard time tolerating distress or identifying their emotions.
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This can make it difficult for them to relate to others, causing serious issues, while affecting family life, social activities, work and school performance.
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Some common personality disorders include borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
Relationships
Relationship issues can arise in any relationship, whether romantic, familial, friendship, or professional. These issues often stem from communication problems, differing expectations, unmet needs, or external stressors. Understanding and addressing relationship issues can lead to healthier, more satisfying connections, which is a fundamental need for most people.
Low Self-esteem
Low self-esteem refers to a diminished idea of oneself, often involving feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, or self-doubt. It can impact various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and overall well-being. Understanding and addressing low self-esteem is crucial for improving self-worth and quality of life.
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It can often be perpetuated by negative self-talk, perfectionism, fear of failure or social withdrawal. It can also be linked to histories of mistreatment or abuse.
Anger Management
Anger is a normal and often healthy emotion, but when it's experienced frequently or intensely, it can become problematic. Issues with anger can affect various aspects of life, including personal relationships, work, and overall well-being.
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Often, it is the case that anger is secondary to other factors, including anxiety, depression, feelings of powerlessness or histories of trauma and abuse. Anger is usually the symptom and can be used as a way to cope with problems in the person's life.