From the Desk of Renee Mill:
5 Breaths to Calm
A common strategy given to people who suffer from anxiety is “relaxation”. Doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists, hypnotherapists, yoga instructors…(.the list is endless) tell clients that relaxation and breathing with help reduce the anxiety. And they are... [Read more now]
The importance of reducing stigma around mental health
Having mental health issues is hard. But pretending that you are not struggling, is harder. The consequences of a brave face: It is exhausting to keep up a brave face and easier to be honest.... [Read more now]
Watch your language
It is a year since we first learned about COVID-19. Overall anxiety levels have increased, and people are requesting services more than ever before. While there are many factors which have contributed to the escalation... [Read more now]
Why do we put ourselves at risk?
I have thought a lot about why many people are not keeping to the health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Why are people continuing to party and gather in groups larger than the recommended amount?... [Read more now]
Post traumatic growth
Many people have heard the term post-traumatic stress or PTSD but few seem to know about post-traumatic growth or PTG. Post-traumatic growth refers to positive change following traumatic life events. It is a... [Read more now]
Crisis time or time for transformation?
There is a well-known idiom “No Pain No Gain” which is true. Humans tend not to exert themselves and grow when they are going through easy times. However, when faced with hardship we can... [Read more now]
How to cope with anxiety related to COVID-19
Renee Mill is interviewed on ABC Radio Newcastle on how to cope with anxiety related to COVID-19. (Recorded 24 March 2020)
Have the bushfires been detrimental to your mental health?
Following the bushfires of 2019 -2020, the Australian Government has introduced the Bushfire Recovery Access Initiative which provides additional Medicare rebates for psychological services. Who is eligible? Any person who has had an adverse... [Read more now]
Switch on, not off
A lot of energy can be expended in trying to switch off negative thoughts. When you are used to worrying and have tended to focus on the negative, your brain has become wired to think... [Read more now]
Why do you trust a therapist to have your best interests at heart?
Trust is often defined by taking what you do know about a person in order to feel safe about what you don’t know. It’s about making yourself vulnerable in front of a person that you... [Read more now]