It can be hard to know when to suggest counselling to someone you care about. You might notice they seem different lately — more withdrawn, stressed, or unhappy — and wonder if extra support could help. Counselling isn’t only for people in crisis. It can help anyone who feels overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to […]
Author: John Belchamber
EAP Post-Incident Support
Why Post-Incident Counselling Support Is Essential After a Critical Workplace Incident A critical incident in the workplace — such as a serious accident, sudden death, violence, or traumatic event — doesn’t just affect operations. It affects people. Even when the immediate physical risks are managed, the emotional and psychological impact on staff can linger long […]
Why Rest Isn’t a Luxury — It’s Essential
Many of us equate rest with laziness or see it as something we’ll get to “once everything else is done.” In Sacred Rest, Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith gently but firmly challenges this idea. She argues that rest is not a pampering add-on, but a biological and emotional necessity — one every person needs to live fully, cope […]
The Gottman Golden Ratio: Why It Matters for Healthy Relationships
If you’ve ever wondered why some couples seem to stay close and connected even through tough times, while others get stuck in cycles of blame or distance, one of the most helpful tools we have comes from the work of Drs John and Julie Gottman. Their research has identified a simple but powerful pattern that […]
Transactional Analysis: A Simple Framework for Better Communication
Transactional Analysis (often called TA) is a practical psychological model that helps us understand why we communicate the way we do—and how small shifts can make our interactions calmer, clearer, and more connected. Developed by psychiatrist Eric Berne, TA suggests that we all move between three “ego states” in everyday conversations: 1. Parent This is the part […]
Book Summary: Plain Life by Antonia Pont
Antonia Pont’s Plain Life: On Thinking, Feeling and Deciding is a thoughtful, grounded exploration of what it means to live well—not in a grand, performative, or productivity-driven sense, but in a steady, attentive, deeply human way. For counselling clients, especially those navigating stress, decision-making, emotional overwhelm or the pressures of “getting life right,” Pont’s writing offers a […]
What to Do if Couples Counselling Isn’t Working for You
Couples counselling can be a powerful way to reconnect, communicate better, and work through challenges together. But what happens if it doesn’t seem to be helping? Many couples feel frustrated or disheartened when therapy doesn’t lead to the change they hoped for. If you find yourself in this position, it doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship—or […]
Staying Mentally Well During the Hot Weather Season ☀️
Living on the Sunshine Coast means we’re lucky to enjoy a warm, outdoor lifestyle — but when the temperatures soar, the heat can take a toll not just on our physical health, but also on our mental wellbeing. Hot, humid weather can lead to fatigue, irritability, disrupted sleep, and even increased anxiety or low mood. […]
How Climate Change Affects Our Mental Health
In recent years, many of us on the Sunshine Coast have noticed how conversations about climate change have become more urgent — and more personal. Whether it’s the increasing number of bushfires, floods, or heatwaves, or simply the uncertainty about what the future might hold, these changes are affecting not only our environment but also […]
Understanding Functional Analysis
Understanding Functional Analysis in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) If you’ve ever felt stuck in unhelpful patterns—whether it’s worrying, avoiding situations, or struggling with negative emotions—you might have wondered why it’s so hard to change. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), one tool that helps make sense of these patterns is Functional Analysis. What Is Functional […]