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The nervous system is like nature’s intricate web, connecting every part of our body and mind to create a harmonious dance of life. It plays a profound role not only in our physical survival but also in how we experience and regulate our emotions. Understanding this system shines a light on the delicate balance of emotional wellbeing and introduces us to the concept of the window of tolerance—a vital framework for resilience and mental health. This concept was developed by ne

Breathing. We do it all the time. We generally don’t even have to think about it. It’s automatic. Did you know that we can consciously harness our breath to help us during the fast-paced rhythm of modern life? Finding moments of calm during a day (or evening) can feel like a rare gift. Yet, one of the most accessible and powerful tools for grounding ourselves lies within—our breath. It’s always with us and we don’t need to remind ourselves not to forget to bring it! Calming b

Cognitive behavioural therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, is one type of psychotherapy which can be utilised to address a wide range of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, panic, OCD, PTSD, eating disorders and specific phobias (APS, 2018). It is also one of the most commonly studied forms of psychological treatment, and is influenced by both behavioural therapy and cognitive therapy. A CBT approach may be adjusted depending on the problem being treated,

DBT is big on skill development, one of the things that first drew me to this type of therapy. Skills are developed across four different areas - Distress tolerance, Mindfulness, Emotion regulation and Interpersonal effectiveness. Whenever I am working with someone, I really encourage the practice of these skills daily, so that when there is crisis, it's easier to recall the skill and apply it in the moment. Learning the skills of DBT can help manage intense emotions before t

One of the things I love about DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) are the practical skills it offers. These skills can help people to cope better with events that are painful or emotions that are overwhelming, and provide practical ways to take back control of their actions in response to these situations. DBT skills can be grouped into four key skills : Distress tolerance, Mindfulness, Emotion regulation, and Interpersonal effectiveness. The focus for this post is going to

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a structured, skills-based psychological therapy designed to help people manage intense emotions, reduce unhelpful behaviours, and improve relationships. Originally developed by Dr Marsha Linehan to support individuals experiencing chronic emotion dysregulation, DBT is now used in a range of mental health contexts to help support individuals with symptoms of PTSD, mood disorders, substance use, and borderline personality disorder (May et

When people experience depression, they’re often told they should try to “think more positively” or “just get out more.” While lifestyle changes and support can help, depression is not simply a mindset problem. It involves real, measurable changes in how the nervous system functions. Understanding this can help to reduce self-blame. The Nervous System: Your Body’s Control Centre Your nervous system constantly scans the world for safety and threat. It helps regulate: Mood Ener

Mindfulness is widely used in contemporary psychology, but its roots go back over 2,500 years. One of the earliest and most detailed teachings on mindfulness comes from the Buddha, who described four key areas of awareness — often called the Four Foundations of Mindfulness . These foundations offer a simple framework for paying attention to our inner and outer experiences with greater clarity and less reactivity. Today, many evidence-based therapies draw on these same princip

Anxiety is a normal human experience. It’s the body’s built-in alarm system, designed to keep us safe by preparing us to respond to stress or danger. For many people, though, anxiety can start to feel overwhelming, persistent, or out of proportion to the situation. While this article isn’t a substitute for individual support, it outlines some evidence-based coping strategies that many people find helpful for managing everyday anxiety. 1. Slow the Body to Calm the Mind Anxiety

Most people overthink from time to time. You might replay a conversation in your head, worry about something that hasn’t happened yet, or find it hard to “switch off” at night. While occasional worry is a normal part of being human, persistent overthinking can feel exhausting and can affect sleep, mood, concentration, and daily functioning. What is overthinking? Overthinking often shows up as repetitive, unhelpful thought patterns. These can include: Worry – repeatedly think

What Is EMDR Therapy? You may have heard of EMDR and wondered what it actually involves. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing . It is a structured, evidence-based psychological therapy that is often used to support people who have experienced trauma , distressing life events, or ongoing anxiety related to past experiences. EMDR is recognised internationally and is one of several therapies that psychologists may use as part of trauma-focused treatment

Mindfulness: What It Is and Why It’s Gaining Attention Mindfulness is a term that appears frequently in conversations about mental health and wellbeing. If you type mindfulness into Google, you will discover heaps of articles, apps, practices and more on the topic. Mindfulness originates from contemplative traditions, such as Buddhism. Over the past few decades, mindfulness has also become an area of growing interest in psychological research, together with a number of psycho