One of the major defence mechanisms that we run in our unconscious minds is the avoidance of pain. That may be physical, mental, emotional, social or even economic pain. Ask yourself these questions: Do you fail to exercise sufficiently to be healthy and fit? Are you repeatedly making excuses for your behaviours? Does so much… Read More

Throughout the Western world divorce rates range from about 10% – 50% depending on your country and culture. This does not include the splitting up of people who live together without getting married or emerging divorce rates from marriage equality figures that have not yet been factored into statistics. The reasons people dissolve their relationships… Read More

Many people telephone me for help with a social phobia or because they have problems making friends and feel lonely. You might not be combatant and fall out with people, but you feel shy and unsure of yourself around others. This can also be a problem for some people at work. This social anxiety or… Read More

Addiction to drugs and alcohol is as much a social problem as it is a personal one. So your addictive behaviours do not just affect yourself and your partner, but also any children that you may be closely involved with. This can include contact with children who are relatives or close family friends. You, as… Read More

Death is part of life. People will die throughout our lives. Sometimes that will be people who we are very close to, such as a partner, parent, child or the beloved animal you took care of. At times we can also be affected by the deaths of others who we might not have known so… Read More

  As humans we are ruled by our emotions rather than logic. Sure, we think we are very logical beings but in reality, our emotions always supersede our logic. Those emotions are quickly initiated by a number of triggers including physical, psychological, social and circumstantial. Are there days when you wake up wearing the grumpy… Read More

How flexible and adaptable are you are as a personality? For mental health professionals, flexibility and adaptability are two of the clear indicators of good mental health. When we observe you, we are looking for how well you can adapt to changing environments and circumstances. A lack of the ability to adapt and be flexible… Read More

Human beings require many kinds of stimuli including food, water, vitamins, minerals, sunlight, shelter, warmth and even money in society to buy what we need and stay safe. What is also important is our relationships with each other because human interactions are actually a ‘food’ and add to our well-being. Are you someone who has… Read More

As a mental health professional and business coach, I often see people who constantly fail to achieve their stated goals. Frequently there is a vast disconnect between what people say they want and the effort they are prepared to make to reach that stated goal. Maybe you know someone who is having these difficulties. Are… Read More

Bute is currently being passed off in nightclubs in Australia as Liquid Ecstasy, or Liquid Fantasy on the street. It is being distributed in clubs as a clear liquid in a little soya source inside tiny fish-shaped capsules for around $15. At the time of writing, it is illegal to possess Bute for human consumption… Read More