Rothschild, B. (2006). Help for the helper. The psychophysiology of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. New York. W. W. Norton & Company. Burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma are risks that, as therapist we are aware of however whilst many of us have a toolbox full of techniques to assist our clients, we often fall […]
Stress
The Aftermath of a Critical Incident
When we experience a threatening event, our bodies automatically respond in a way that allows us to protect ourselves or escape from the situation. This fight or flight involves an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and breathing rate. All these changes help us to physically deal with danger or leave the situation […]
- October 14, 2010
- 0
- 3596
- Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
- Read More
Critical Incident Counselling
Over time, the distinction between the three terms, stress, traumatic stress, and crisis, have become blurred, thus numerous professionals started using these terms synonymously. Some authors specifically indicate that they deal with both stress and developmental crisis, but do not make distinctions between these terms/concepts. Others define their work as dealing with crisis, but take […]
- September 21, 2010
- 0
- 6164
- Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
- Read More
Study Stress: Keeping it in Perspective
Taking up further study can be a very exciting time as we take a step forward in our personal and professional lives. As we challenge ourselves to develop new skills and knowledge, a new framework to work from, and a new field to master, many of us embrace the role of student with both enthusiasm […]
- July 27, 2010
- 0
- 2582
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management
- Read More
Cognitive Restructuring with Anxiety
Cognitive restructuring, straight thinking or logical reanalysis is based on the belief that the way we feel, behave and respond to situations is based on the way we think. This approach attempts to modify unhelpful thought patterns and beliefs. Cognitive restructuring, also known as cognitive reframing, is a technique drawn from cognitive therapy that can […]
- March 4, 2010
- 1
- 7942
- Clinical Mental Health, Counselling Theory & Process, Diagnosis & Treatment, Stress Management
- Read More
Anxiety and Conditioning
Anxiety that is produced as a result of an actual situation (e.g. being in the dentist’s chair getting a tooth drilled) can become associated to events that surround the incident even when the component that originally activated the fear (a noisy drill that results in pain) is no longer present. For example, just sitting in […]
- February 18, 2010
- 0
- 26903
- Counselling Theory & Process, Stress Management
- Read More
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalised anxiety disorder is a common chronic anxiety disorder that affects twice as many women as men (Brawman-Mintzer, & Lydiard, 1997). As the name implies, it is characterised by worry that is excessive and unrealistic and lasts more than six months. Long-lasting anxiety is not focused solely on one specific object or situation, however in […]
- February 9, 2010
- 0
- 3041
- Clinical Mental Health, Diagnosis & Treatment, Stress Management
- Read More
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an adaptive reaction that everyone experiences from time to time, including animals. Anxiety alarms us of situations and circumstances that involve some threat of danger, and it enables our body to respond in ways that help keep us safe. This response is a useful survival mechanism, helping us to avoid or even prevent […]
- January 4, 2010
- 1
- 2469
- Clinical Mental Health, Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
- Read More
The General Adaptation Syndrome
General adaptation syndrome describes the body’s short-term and long-term reaction to stress. Originally described by Hans De Solye in the 1920s, the general adaptation syndrome describes a three stage reaction to stress covering our initial reaction to the stressor, our resistance and adaptation to coping with the stressor and our eventual exhaustion after dealing with […]
- December 10, 2009
- 2
- 8982
- Counselling Theory & Process, Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
- Read More
Unique Needs of the Suddenly Unemployed
Reactions to the news of sudden unemployment, whether through redundancy or dismissal, are as varied as the individuals affected. Emotional reactions can range from shock and disbelief to anger and resentment. Of course, there is no set template for how an individual will react to news of their job loss. Reactions are dependant on an […]
- November 23, 2009
- 0
- 4659
- Loss & Grief, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
- Read More
Creating a Relapse Prevention Plan
“Relapse prevention began with the work of Marlatt and Parks (1982) and Marlatt and Gordon (1985) who noted that after success with the treatment of various behavioural problems – such as smoking, drinking, overeating, drug addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder and gambling – clients very often fell back into their old behaviours. In fact, between 50% […]
- November 13, 2009
- 0
- 8077
- Counselling Theory & Process, Stress Management
- Read More
Stress, PTSD and PDSD
Many of us already know that stress is a double edge sword. Stress can be good for us when preparing us for a special or threatening event. Many will be familiar with the concept of the Fight and Flight Syndrome. When a threat is perceived, our brain and body prepares to do battle or to […]
- October 29, 2009
- 3
- 75835
- Diagnosis & Treatment, Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
- Read More
Relaxation Strategies for Counsellors
It is important to be aware of the way in which stress may be impacting on you and your counselling work. Which aspects of you are more susceptible to the influence of stress? Relaxation strategies “What do you find relaxing? Is it dancing, art, meditation, fishing, going for a walk with friends, reading a book, […]
- October 26, 2009
- 0
- 5015
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Wellness
- Read More
Finding Balance Between Work and Life
According to the Australian National Occupational Health and Safety Commission Report, December 2003, high stress levels lead to thousands of stress-related WorkCover claims every year. Cases of mental stress had by far the highest median (8.5 weeks) and average (16 weeks) time lost, and accounted for 29% of all new cases of disease. This is […]
- September 30, 2009
- 0
- 6037
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
- Read More
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a syndrome which occurs due to prolonged emotional strain of dealing extensively with other human beings, particularly in helper and recipient relationships. Burnout is categorised as a type of stress. Unlike normal workplace stress which predominately affects individuals physically, burnout affects individuals emotionally. The term burnout was introduced in the 1970’s, and although […]
- September 10, 2009
- 1
- 22605
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
- Read More