Category: Mental Health
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“I can’t believe you messed up again” – How does the act of shaming children make a difference?
Can using inappropriate selection of words lead to child shaming? The answer is yes. “Don’t worry, it’s okay. But you can do it better next time.” Does it sound like it’s a good selection of words to use when your child is facing a challenge? Unfortunately, not really. A 9-year-old child falls short of the…
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Can laughter be a form of therapy? Yes it can!
On the first Sunday of May, everyone comes together to celebrate World Laughter Day every year. Today is a reminder of the importance and benefits of laughter. Did you know that laughing can be a workout? A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that 15 minutes of laughter can burn up to 40 calories…
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The Importance of Play for Adults
When was the last time you played? Is your first thought to that question, “I’m an adult, I don’t play” or “I’m not a kid, why would you even ask me that”. Fair enough – play is usually thought about as something only kids can and should undertake. In other words, it’s not for adults.…
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Managing your relationship with your difficult parent as an adult
How a child experiences the failure to meet their needs can vary with the type of parental behaviour they are exposed to. If a parent is volatile or abusive, the child may experience intense fear and anger. At the other end of the spectrum, if a parent cares for physical needs but does not connect…
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Healing from a difficult relationship with a parent
The parent-child bond is a foundational relationship in life. It sets the blueprint for our sense of self, and all the relationships that come after. When something goes awry in this relationship, the effects on a child can last into adulthood. Every child has important needs for safety, nurturance, consistent boundaries, autonomy, and play. However,…
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How Art Heals
What constitutes someone’s inner world? It’s their own private world of feelings, worries, hopes, perceptions and inner voices. It’s also their biochemical state (the balancing of their autonomic nervous system, the impact of the food and drink they eat etc.). How we feel and imagine in our inner world impacts the way that we view…
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Starting a conversation about Parkinson’s Disease
In my capacity as a neuropsychologist, I conduct neuropsychological evaluations of patients afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), examining their cognitive functions and psychological wellbeing. My first encounter with PD was particularly poignant, where I evaluated a patient who was a retired doctor. It was during this experience that I became acutely aware of the tendency…
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SIBLING DAY
Siblings Day provides a unique and meaningful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the profound connections between brothers and sisters, relationships that are often the longest-lasting and most impactful in our lives. It highlights the importance of nurturing these relationships, acknowledging their significant contribution to development and wellbeing. As a paediatric occupational therapist, we see…
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Shedding Light on Stress
Stress is an inevitable facet of life, impacting individuals from all walks of life, irrespective of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. At its core, stress is a fundamental adaptive response designed to mobilise resources and prepare the body to confront or flee from perceived threats, a mechanism often referred to as the “fight-or-flight” response. When…
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World Autism Awareness Day
What is World Autism Awareness Day? April 2nd….sounds just like any other day, but did you know that it is internationally recognised as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD)? This special day is dedicated to spreading awareness about ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and helping everyone to understand what ASD is to create an inclusive and understanding…