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Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

When Anger Hides Sadness: Adolescence, Depression and School Refusal

Leave a Comment / Anger, Depression, Developmental, Healing, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, School, School refusal, Teenager, Young Adolescent /

Depression does not always look like sadness. Adults often imagine depression as visible sadness or tearfulness. In adolescents, it may instead appear as:
• Irritability, anger or frequent conflict
• School refusal or declining attendance
• Withdrawal from family, friends or activities
• Alcohol or other drug use
• Fighting, impulsivity or risk-taking
• Sleep disruption and difficulty getting up
• Falling grades or reduced motivation
• Hopelessness, self-harm or suicidal thinking

When Anger Hides Sadness: Adolescence, Depression and School Refusal Read More »

Personality structure and Crisis: How integration can build a pathway to stability 

Anxiety, Developmental, Emotions, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Psychosocial Disability, Relationships, Wellbeing /

Explore personality structure, psychological crisis and integration through Otto Kernberg’s psychodynamic framework, and discover how self-awareness can support greater emotional stability and meaningful change.

Personality structure and Crisis: How integration can build a pathway to stability  Read More »

Walking the Tightrope: Autonomy vs. Enabling in Psychosocial Mental Health Work 

Anxiety, Developmental, Emotions, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Relationships, Wellbeing /

Avoidance can provide short-term relief from anxiety, fear and discomfort, but over time it may reinforce the patterns that keep us feeling stuck. Explore the psychology behind avoidance and approach goals, why avoidance develops, and how taking small, meaningful steps toward discomfort can support confidence, connection, personal growth and lasting change.

Walking the Tightrope: Autonomy vs. Enabling in Psychosocial Mental Health Work  Read More »

Avoidance vs Approach Goals: Why Facing What We Fear Matters

Anxiety, Developmental, Emotions, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Relationships, Wellbeing /

Avoidance can provide short-term relief from anxiety, fear and discomfort, but over time it may reinforce the patterns that keep us feeling stuck. Explore the psychology behind avoidance and approach goals, why avoidance develops, and how taking small, meaningful steps toward discomfort can support confidence, connection, personal growth and lasting change.

Avoidance vs Approach Goals: Why Facing What We Fear Matters Read More »

Building Resilience from the Inside Out: The Case for the CFRP in Australia’s NDIS Psychosocial Support Workforce

Anxiety, Emotions, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Psychosocial Disability, Wellbeing /

Australia’s psychosocial support workforce faces increasing rates of burnout and compassion fatigue. Discover how the evidence-based Compassion Fatigue Resiliency Program (CFRP) can strengthen resilience, improve workforce wellbeing, and support sustainable, high-quality care across the NDIS and broader community mental health sector.

Building Resilience from the Inside Out: The Case for the CFRP in Australia’s NDIS Psychosocial Support Workforce Read More »

Aggression and Emotional Regulation in Psychosocial Support

Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Relationships, Therapy, Wellbeing /

Aggression is often more than challenging behaviour—it can be an expression of overwhelming emotions and difficulties with emotional regulation. Discover how a psychodynamic perspective helps psychosocial support workers understand the meaning behind aggression and support lasting emotional growth.

Aggression and Emotional Regulation in Psychosocial Support Read More »

The Relationship Between Physical Health, Mental Health, and Motivation: A Research-Based Perspective

Anxiety, Mental Health Wellbeing, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Wellbeing /

Discover how physical health directly influences mental wellbeing and motivation. This research-based article explores the role of exercise, sleep, nutrition, and brain function in supporting mood, resilience, and goal-directed behaviour, highlighting why a holistic approach is essential for long-term psychological wellbeing.

The Relationship Between Physical Health, Mental Health, and Motivation: A Research-Based Perspective Read More »

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