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 […]
Stress
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
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- 5506
- Counselling Theory & Process, Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
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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
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- Loss & Grief, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
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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
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- Counselling Theory & Process, Stress Management
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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
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- Diagnosis & Treatment, Stress Management, Trauma & Disaster Mental Health
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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
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- 2599
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Wellness
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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
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- 3843
- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
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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
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- Personal Effectiveness, Stress Management, Workplace Issues
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Humour Makes Life Easier
Humour can be a powerful and effective mechanism for coping with stress, especially when combined with other means of stress reduction. The real power of humour and laughter shows up when you learn to use it in stressful situations. It keeps things in perspective, helps dispel negative emotions, and puts you in a frame of […]
- August 4, 2009
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- 12411
- Stress Management, Wellness
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Counselling Dilemma: Child Welfare and Safety
John has been attending counselling sessions for several months seeking help with the difficulties he is finding in dealing with his relationship break-up. He and his partner were together for ten years and have two children, a boy aged 9 and a girl aged 7. John has access to them every other weekend and for […]
- September 8, 2008
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- 3149
- Children & Adolescents, Counselling Dilemmas, Ethics & Legal Issues
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Book Review: Stress: Myth, Theory and Research
Jones, F., Bright, J. (2001). Stress – Myth, Theory and Research. Pearson Education Limited. ISBN: 0-130-41189-2. The sub-title of this book clearly outlines the scope of this wide-ranging study of stress. The authors, Bright from Australia and Jones from the UK, together with a range of other contributors, are experts in the field. Divided into […]
- July 28, 2008
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- Book Reviews, Stress Management
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How to Address Bullying: Assessing the Next Steps
Depending on the outcomes so far, you should use the following guidelines: Un-Happy Reflect back on your 1st and 2nd discussions with the teacher. Use this information to write a letter to the principal outlining the situation. Make sure you are calm and not insultive to the school or the teacher. Ask for an appointment […]
- June 3, 2008
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- 1829
- Children & Adolescents, Relationship & Families, School Counselling
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How to Address Bullying: Evaluate the School’s Response
The fourth step (click the links to review steps 1, 2 & 3) in addressing bullying involves evaluating the school’s response. After having a follow-up meeting with teachers and other relevant school staff, document what was discussed in the meeting, including the date, the meeting attendant’s names and positions, and details of what was discussed and agreed […]
- June 2, 2008
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- Children & Adolescents, Relationship & Families, School Counselling
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How to Address Bullying: Consult with Teachers
The third step (click the links to review steps 1 and 2) in addressing bullying involves helping your child develop positive strategies. Below are three types of strategies to consider. Depending on the age of your son/daughter you can adjust these to suit. In all behaviour modifying situations, there are proactive and reactive strategies to […]
- May 29, 2008
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- Children & Adolescents, Relationship & Families, School Counselling
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How to Address Bullying: Consult with Teachers
The second step in addressing bullying involves consulting your child’s teacher/s. To successfully combat bullying behaviour teachers need to be involved. If your child is in primary school you should meet with his/her teacher, however if your child is in high school it is better to meet with the Home Room Teacher. When you meet […]
- May 27, 2008
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- Children & Adolescents, Relationship & Families, School Counselling
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