Psychotherapy Treatments
Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider. During psychotherapy, you learn about your condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
Table of Contents
Depression
Depression is a very common illness that affects at least one in four Australians within their lifetime. This is no expection in Adelaide. Many people play down the seriousness of this illness as it may have few overt symptoms, and they may mistakenly assume they can ‘snap out of it’. Unfortunately, these attitudes are far from the truth. Research indicates that depression is a genuine illness that can cause much suffering. However, with the right care depression can be successfully treated.
Anxiety
Adelaide is not free of anxiety. Anxiety is an automatic, unconscious and very natural response to worrying situations. It results in a number of thought, bodily and behavioural changes that ordinarily are adaptive and enable a higher level of performance. Anxiety may come on very quickly (such as in the case of panic) or slowly build (such as in anticipation of an event) but it normally passes with time.
Stress
Stress is a psychological and physical reaction to demanding situations that go beyond our perceived ability to cope. We are more likely to suffer stress when our resources such as time, knowledge, skill, or money become limited. Symptoms of stress include overreacting, finding it difficult to slow down, feeling agitated, burning disproportionally large amounts of nervous energy, as well as feeling intolerant, hurried and touchy.
Relationship Counselling
At BlueSky Psychology our therapists understand the importance of happy relationships on one’s well-being. Our Psychologists have completed post-graduate training in relationship counselling, and have had extensive experience in assisting couples. They enjoy helping couples understand and overcome relationship problems. Our Psychologists will provide expert advice, proven techniques and ‘fool-proof’ strategies to help you maintain a lasting and enjoyable relationship. Amongst other things you may be offered is training in conflict resolution, anger management, assertive communication, self-esteem building, boundary setting, enhancing a healthy sex life, promoting honesty, and re-establishing trust and fidelity.
Phobias
It is not unusual to have a couple of fears. Many people feel a little apprehensive before their plane takes off, when climbing a ladder, or if they see a snake. However, when a fear becomes disproportionally larger than the situation warrants we may need some help to manage it. When our fears lead to problems in the way we live, work, or relate to people it is quite possible we have developed a phobia.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, which used to be called “Manic Depression”, is a mood disorder characterised by severe mood swings. The swings in mood are episodic and in between times the person can be quite normal. The person’s moods will swing anywhere along the continuum between being depressed (and even suicidal) to extremely happy (a symptom of mania). The speed at which a person cycles between depression and mania varies between hours to years.
Anger
Uncontrolled anger can quickly lead to broken relationships, loneliness, sadness, unemployment, financial concerns, and even a criminal record.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Unfortunately, traumatic experiences are common. In Australia as many as 65% of our population will either experience or witness a traumatic event. The types of events experienced could include sexual assault, war, accidents, natural disasters, crime, and torture. While most people will recover without professional help a sizeable proportion of people develop a set of symptoms called Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), and if the symptoms persist for more than two months, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Obsessions & Compulsions
Obsessions are persistent and unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety and are difficult to control, for example, a person may have an obsessive thought that a loved one will be harmed. Compulsions are strong urges to perform certain behaviours to relieve the anxiety that results from the obsessions. For example, someone may lock the door five times to manage their fear that an intruder will break in. In the general population it is not uncommon for people to worry that they have not locked the house, or turned off the iron, and then have to go back and check.
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders involve an intense preoccupation with eating and weight that supersedes other aspects of a person’s life. There are two main types of eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.
Insomnia Treatment
It is estimated that 20% of the adult population suffers from insomnia at some stage of their life. is a condition where there is difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, or experiencing poor quality of sleep. People with insomnia will have sleeping difficulties for at least 3 days per week for at least a month. Such people will also be preoccupied with their lack of sleep and become distressed to the point of social and occupational dysfunction
Treatment for Panic Attacks & Panic Disorders
A Panic Attack is where there is a sudden onset of acute anxiety that leaves the sufferer feeling overwhelmed and confused. It is a common illness that affects up to 4% of the population. Panic attacks involve a feeling of intense fear in situations where most people would not ordinarily be afraid.
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana addiction is a surprisingly common presentation to BlueSky Psychology. Clients often started smoking young and continued to use Marijuana into adulthood. Even upon presenting for help there is often a resistance to completely cease its use. This is partly because marijuana is spoken fondly of as a good old friend; it’s familiar, predictable, faithful, comforting, supportive during the tough times, relieves pain, and helps to initially fall asleep.
Alcohol Addiction & Counselling
If you are considering or are hesitant about seeking some help with your drinking there are number of points worth considering.
Addiction & Substance Abuse
Addictions are very common throughout Australian society and can happen to the best of people.
Chronic Pain
Living with constant pain can be debilitating for both the sufferer and for their loved ones. Chronic pain has a heavy psychological component, and secondary issues can develop such as altered personalities, learnt hopelessness, depression and impaired relationships.