Starting counselling can feel like a big step. Many people are unsure what will actually happen in sessions or how the process works. While every person’s journey is unique, counselling often moves through several broad stages that help create a safe, supportive and meaningful process for change. In approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), […]
Category: Counselling
Who’s Driving Your Bus?
Who’s Driving Your Bus? – An ACT Metaphor for Life In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we often use simple metaphors to explain big ideas. One of the most helpful is the Driver of the Bus metaphor. Imagine your life is like a bus journey. You are the driver. The bus is heading in the direction of what matters […]
Which Counselling Format Is Right for You?
Face-to-Face, Online or Telephone Counselling: Which Is Right for You? When starting counselling, one of the first choices you’ll make is how you’d like to attend your sessions. Sunny Coast Counselling offer counselling sessions via face-to-face, online (via video), or over the phone. Each option has its own benefits and challenges, and the “right” choice depends on […]
Could Someone You Love Benefit from Counselling?
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 You might notice they seem different lately — more withdrawn, stressed, or unhappy — and wonder if extra support could help.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 […]
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 […]
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 […]