I want to open this blog by wishing you all well. It has been a very unsettling year for many people I know and I have been reflecting on what this is all about. Of interest is the extent to which people still remark on the differences and prolonged changes here in Melbourne, as a result of the two-year enforced lock-down over COVID. Will we ever recover and, if so, when? And many have told me emphatically that they would never comply again.

The ongoing ‘unrest’, so to speak, continues to be reverberated around the world with the ongoing wars; wars which have certainly proven to have far reaching effects all over the world. The old adage is, unfortunately, proving to be true again in that ‘history repeats itself.’ Here is to a much better, more peaceful 2025!

Once again, I want to put out there that whomever you pray to – G-d speed! No one is more or less important and everyone deserves to live in peace and harmony on this planet.

Earlier this year I wished everyone a prosperous 2023 adding that I hope this year will be filled with all the love, luck, good health, happiness, success and peace you all deserve! However, this year has clearly not unfolded as we anticipated and the world is in peril again on so many fronts. I have even had clients ask me if I thought there was going to be a World War III. I do not have a crystal ball, as they say, but I certainly hope not.

What I do believe is that there is a fine line between remaining informed and self-protection. Many years ago, before the advent of the internet and social media, we used to get the news from the TV and from the newspaper and magazines like TIME. Herein lies the double-edged sword when it comes to so-called advancements in IT and communication. It is perfectly acceptable to switch your phone off, and choose not to expose yourself to every news feed or social media platform. We need to protect ourselves from the often horrific images, as well as from the at times inaccurate news that is distributed worldwide.

I have written about the different ways of managing in the past and, now more than ever, it is vital to concentrate on what we can control, as opposed to what we cannot control; engage in the basics like good sleep, healthy eating, an exercise regime; and surround yourself with compassionate others.

Whomever you pray to – G-d speed!

It’s hard to believe it’s already March! Like so many of my colleagues, it seems to me that the ongoing onslaught of what we’ve had to ensure here in Melbourne continues in so many ways. The lockdowns robbed us of so much and the grief and loss is still palpable for so many. And then, though some of us were not entirely surprised, the government took away the 10 extra rebatable sessions they seemingly ‘donated’ to clients. Psychologists have been fighting for extra rebatable sessions for clients for years well before the COVID pandemic…and as quickly as they came they’ve been taken away! I feel people’s rage, frustration, shock, disbelief and disappointment on a regular basis, and am powerless to effect any change.

So, what’s the answer? Some people have private health insurance so can claim some sessions there and, for others, they are eligible for 5 more rebatable sessions via the EPC Scheme. Many people, as was the practice in years gone by, will save up their sessions until they’re in crisis. I know it’s so hard and times are tough for so many financially but I implore you not to do this if at all possible. For so many clients I’ve seen, 6-10 sessions have been what’s required. Obviously, with deeper issues like trauma, more sessions are imperative. Regardless, not putting your needs on hold is always preferable.

I wish you all a prosperous 2023 and may it be filled with all the love, luck, good health, happiness, success and peace you all deserve!

Scarred! One of my clients recently came in and relayed that a friend had visited her here in Melbourne, and that’s how she described our fair city. The city that, in the past, had been voted the most livable city for 8 years running. Yes, many of us have been scarred, and to minimise the negative effects of what we’ve experienced over the past two and a half years would be cruel and fallacious to say the least. The reality is that most of us have experienced some form of loss.

I have been doing an online seminar learning about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and there is much that we can take from that philosophy. First, we all have many parts to us and, whilst there are the parts that have been suffering, there are also the parts that are resilient and have survived. Second, IFS would suggest that all coping strategies are there for a reason and have some positive intent; even the ones that people judge to be inappropriate.

If you are alive, then, you have indeed made it through the hell of the most lockdown city in the world. Authenticity and honesty is what has made you prevail.

Well done!

Well, we’ve made it through this year and, some would say, it’s a miracle! There has certainly been untold loss in every area of life and the lockdowns and restrictions we’ve suffered here in Melbourne have seeped into areas of our lives we couldn’t have predicted. Put simply, this crisis has divided us on many levels, apart from the current dilemma with people who have elected to not be vaccinated. People have lost their businesses and jobs, divorce has been on the increase as has been family violence, and more people have accessed mental health professionals given an increase in Depression and Anxiety.

As many of you will be aware, lots of restrictions are being lifted tonight for those of us who have been double vaccinated. I do not have a crystal ball but have made a few predications over the past 20 months that have come to fruition. One prediction I made many months ago was that there will be perks for those who have been double vaccinated and consequences for those who have chosen to abstain, regardless of their rationale. I have been considering the fact that the biggest growth industry may be in security given the acrimony that is palpable here in Melbourne. I put to one of my clients more recently that I believe everyone deserves excellent health care but COVID is so contagious, and has made so many people ill and caused so many to lose their lives. We all deserve to be safe and, if getting the vaccination means that, if we do contract this disease, we won’t be nearly as unwell let alone end up in hospital then that’s what we need to consider. No one, after all, deserves to be in ICU on a ventilator and there have been many reports that those who are not vaccinated and in ICU have been begging to be given the vaccine and regretting their decision.

My best advice is to take care of each other – kindness and compassion have to win. One of my 13 year old clients proudly told me that she called her 50 year old Godfather to tell him he was “uninvited” to Xmas because he wasn’t vaccinated and my gardener told me her hasn’t spoken to his mother in months for the same reason. We can let this crisis continue to take control of lives, but to what end and what’s the cost?

Next year will be different – but we have to make it different too! And we shouldn’t need the government to create laws to keep us safe and, in some cases, coerce us to consider the welfare of others. One of the most prolific issues we’ve all encountered is the extent to which the underbelly of people’s true personality has been exposed during this crisis. There are, perhaps, many more self-centered people than we cared to acknowledge in our world. The time to defy this has arrived and take back the controls in a positive way.

I wish you all a prosperous 2022 and may it be filled with all the love, luck, good health, happiness, success and peace you all deserve!

Well, we made it to the end of 2020. It seems like yesterday that we were all complaining during the first lockdown; protesting that we won’t be able to cope. As a wise old soul once told me: “the sun rises in the morning and goes to bed each night whether you like it or not.”

Yes, most of us here in Australia have survived this year, at least in the physical sense of the word. And, comparatively speaking, we’ve had infinitely less cases compared to other parts of the world. But survival has taken on many different shapes and it is, therefore, remiss to look solely at our figures regarding the Coronavirus. As we know, the ripple effects have been vast and will be experienced for many years into the future. So, in fact, we are all having to adapt to a different kind of ‘normal.’

As a psychologist, I have seen a huge increase in mental health issues like: Depression and self-harm, suicidality, Anxiety and Panic, Social Anxiety and Phobia, PTSD, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I have also found myself supporting clients through precarious events including the escalation of divorce and domestic violence, substance abuse and loss of people’s livelihoods.

Amongst all this has been the intense feelings of grief and loss, especially within our elderly community and their families. There has been the ‘outing’ regarding the extent to which our aged care facilities have been mismanaged and have placed our elderly at high risk of contracting Coronavirus. Ultimately, there was grief around the illnesses and deaths that ensued; as well as the enormous grief people experienced when they couldn’t visit their loved ones given facilities were on strict lockdown.

I’ve had countless discussions with clients who’ve struggled with other issues like facing facts about who is a true’ friend or just an acquaintance; those who’ve cared enough to keep in touch and those who have not. Clients reported discovering that their boss is completely mercenary, and some were made redundant to save their business costs. And there has been conflict like never before given the disparity in political views.

Christmas has always been sold to us as a time for merriment and celebration - ‘the silly season.’ However, in reality, it has always been a difficult time for many people. This year, however, it will be even more troubling, overwhelming and, emotionally speaking, chaotic and taxing.

I’d like to let you know that the clinic I work at is closing from 24th December and reopening on 4th January. However, I shall be making myself available to all my current clients, as well as any new clients, should the need arise. It is your choice as to whether you have a face to face consultation or a session over zoom.

Please don’t suffer in silence.

It has been over 4 months since we first took the word Coronavirus seriously, having had to face the fact that it had not been contained in China, where the virus began. By the end of March we were instructed to self-isolate, maintain social distance, and engage in good hygiene practices.

This has been, in some sense, a global bonding experience, not unlike what the world must have experienced during WWI and WWII. The majority of us are anxious given this is out of our control and there is not vaccine as yet. It can affect anyone regardless of wealth, religion you follow, profession or fame; we can all catch this virus. We were initially told that all we had to do was follow a few ‘simple’ rules and all will be well. And, indeed, restrictions had begun to be lifted and we were feeling a sense of normality again. This, despite the fact that we’ve been keenly aware of the ripple effects of COVOD-19, and the negative consequences on people’s mental health, relationships, and economically.

As a psychologist, one of the most notable changes was that COVID-19 stopped being the main focus, or certainly the initial discussion point, of each session. Clients may have made mention of it, but then got down to the real ‘business’ of the day. The Coronavirus had been parked, but not forgotten.

However, the events of the past few days and the reinstitution of the heavy restrictions placed upon us in March, has created high levels of Anxiety and Depression once again. To some extent, it can be argued that this wave will be more precarious to our mental health as well as our lives in general. People here in Melbourne, and probably around the world, have already exclaimed concerns about being in a Recession/ Depression the likes of what was experienced in the 1920’s; and people have made correlations between the Coronavirus and other worldwide pandemics whereby millions of people perished. We are also continually discussing the irrevocable damage to industries like the hospitality, travel and aviation industries.

People have expressed a range of emotions including rage, fury, frustration, dread, betrayal and disappointment…and the blame game is certainly in full flight. Blaming politicians who didn’t ‘get it right’ and ignoring countries who had somewhat contained the virus, people who have refused to comply with the restrictions, the untimely Black Lives Matter rally, those who were in quarantine who weren’t tested before they left, and so on.

Regardless, we need to manage in the present moment with this current stage of lockdown. Here are some strategies that may be helpful: - "Vent" to whoever will listen and won’t debate; - Maintain a healthy routine including sleep, healthy eating and exercise; - Try to engage in activities you enjoy like art, cooking and baking, listen to music, reading and pet therapy.

This won’t last forever.