Tag: Psychologist

  • Understanding ‘Difficult’ Palliative Patients Through Attachment Theory

    Palliative care is an essential service that ensures individuals facing life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate and holistic support. While much focus is placed on medical management and physical comfort, the psychological and emotional challenges of palliative care are equally significant. Some patients may be perceived as “difficult” due to their resistance to treatment, emotional distress, or…

  • Rethinking Mental Health: The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) as an Alternative to Traditional Diagnosis

    In the field of psychology, traditional diagnostic models like the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and the biopsychosocial model have long been used to guide mental health assessments and treatments. While these models provide valuable insights, they have also faced criticisms, particularly regarding their validity, reliability, and potential for mental health stigma…

  • Parenting under distress

    Understanding, Supporting, and Empowering Families Parenting is one of life’s greatest challenges—and when a parent faces mental distress, the challenges can extend across generations. Research tells us that parental mental health significantly shapes the emotional and psychological development of children. One in five Australian children lives in a household where a parent is experiencing mental…

  • Assessment in Psychology

    Navigating Assessments with Values of Social Justice and Critical Reflection As a registered health professional, my role often involves providing individuals with diagnostic labels that can shape their healthcare journey, influence the broader system (especially in interactions with general practitioners), and become part of their permanent health records. This responsibility—to determine the need for ongoing…

  • Understanding the Analytic Relationship

    Insights from Intersubjectivity and Dissociation As a psychodynamic psychotherapist I often reflect on the nuances of the analytic relationship. A recent paper I encountered beautifully encapsulates this complexity through the metaphor of “knowing one’s patient inside out.” This metaphor speaks to the paradoxical nature of our intersubjective field—where trauma, dissociation, and regression intertwine within the…

  • Understanding Object Relations Theory in Psychoanalysis

    The work of Melanie Klein Object Relations Theory is a psychoanalytic framework that emphasizes the role of early relationships, particularly between the child and primary caregivers, in shaping our psychological development and adult interpersonal dynamics. Originating from the work of psychoanalysts like Melanie Klein, Otto Kernberg, and Donald Winnicott, this theory provides insight into how…

  • Psychodynamic Psycotherapy: What it is and isn’t

    Understanding Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Path to Deep Healing In my practice as a psychologist, I often work with clients who are navigating emotional pain, unresolved trauma, or difficult relationships. One approach that has proven to be immensely effective in helping individuals understand and overcome their challenges is psychodynamic psychotherapy. This therapeutic approach offers a deep…

  • Working with Language Diversity in Psychotherapy

    Enhancing Multilingual Client Outcomes Australia’s increasingly multicultural society presents both challenges and opportunities for psychologists working with clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The growing linguistic diversity, with millions of people reporting non-fluent English, calls for a more nuanced approach in therapy that considers the unique linguistic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse clients. Research suggests…

  • Ethics in Psychology

    Balancing the Heart and Mind in Complex Systems In the world of psychology, ethical principles and frameworks are more than just guidelines—they are the backbone of our practice. They help navigate the gray zones that arise in the dynamic environments we work in. One area that encapsulates these complexities is the multidisciplinary healthcare setting. Let’s…