Insights
On Terminology: You’ll notice in these reflections and insights that when referring to someone involved in therapy I refer to them as patients. The word “patient” originates from the Latin word “patiens” which means “suffering” or “enduring.” This etymological link highlights the understanding of a patient as someone actively enduring hardship, whether from physical illness or other suffering. For me, the term patient honours the suffering and difficulties which has brought someone to begin therapy.
What Might Be Underneath Anxiety and Panic?
Anxious and panicky feelings can certainly feel overwhelming. From sudden heart racing, tightness in the chest, to an urgent sense that something is wrong. Often, we rush to make the feelings stop. How could we not?! But sometimes, it can help if are are able to gently ask: What might be these anxious feelings really be about?
Holding the Whole Picture: The Challenge of Seeing Both Good and Bad in Others
One of the quiet struggles in relationships, whether with a partner, parent, friend, or even a therapist, is holding both the good and the bad in mind at the same time. It’s much easier, emotionally, to split people into categories: all good or all bad.
How Our Past Shapes Our Partner Choices—And Why It Matters
Many of us choose life partners without fully realising how much our early experiences influence those decisions. Patterns from childhood, such as how we learned to relate, love, or protect ourselves, often echo in our adult relationships. We may find ourselves drawn to people who feel familiar, even if that familiarity brings old emotional difficulty of some kind.
What Melbourne Winter and Depression Have in Common
As a traditional Melbourne winter begins, I find myself with a little less energy, combined with a desire to ‘stay in’; indeed, to want to stay under the covers and keep warm! For those who have experienced depression or depressive symptoms, the need to want to stay home, stay in bed and keep to oneself can be a prominent and sometimes distressing part of the experience.
Why Might Weekly Therapy Sessions Be Recommended?
There are several reasons as to why weekly sessions of therapy are recommended, especially in the beginning of a course of therapy. The psychotherapy research literature identifies the therapeutic relationship between patient and therapist as one of the key variables that influences the outcome and benefits of the therapy.