RWA Psychology - Family Matters

11/03/2026

Meet the 2026 Team of clinical and general psychologists at RWA Psychology - Family Matters.

For more information visit our website at https://www.rwapsych.com.au/.

For booking enquiries give our reception team a call at 9980 1400 or send us an email at admin@rwapsych.com.au

17/02/2026

Kindness is Good for Your Health (Not Just Your Relationships)

Over my January break, I went for a long walk and listened to a podcast conversation between Dr Rangan Chatterjee and Dr David Hamilton about the science of kindness.

It stayed with me, partly because it landed at a time when the world has been offering plenty of reasons for people to turn away from each other - and perhaps even more reasons to move toward each other instead.

We often talk about kindness in big, moral terms. But maybe it starts somewhere smaller. The tone we use with the barista. Letting someone merge in traffic. Softening rather than correcting. Pausing long enough to actually notice another person.

These everyday moments feel ordinary. Biologically, they aren’t.

Kindness changes the body
One study looked at people who had a common cold. After seeing their doctor, they rated how empathic the consultation felt - essentially, how understood and cared for they experienced the doctor to be.

Those who felt the highest empathy from their doctor:
- recovered faster
- had less severe symptoms
- showed measurable differences in immune activity

Same virus. Same treatment. Different relational experience → different physical outcome. Our nervous system is constantly asking: am I facing this alone, or with someone? The answer influences inflammation, immunity and recovery.

Connection is physiology
When we feel warmth or care, the body releases oxytocin - a hormone involved in bonding and safety.

Oxytocin is associated with:

- lower stress hormones
- reduced blood pressure
- cardiovascular protection
- anti-inflammatory effects

So feeling understood isn’t only emotionally comforting. It shifts the body out of threat mode and into repair mode.

Even witnessing kindness matters
Research suggests that even observing acts of compassion can temporarily increase certain immune antibodies. Your body responds not only when kindness is directed at you, but also when you see it happening.

We are relational organisms. Health isn’t only individual - it’s social.

Why this matters psychologically
We often assume change happens through insight, advice or motivation. But before any of that, the body decides whether it is safe enough to change. When someone feels heard and emotionally held, their physiology becomes more receptive -psychologically and physically. Kindness isn’t a soft extra in care or relationships. It is part of the mechanism that allows regulation and healing.

Starting at an everyday level
We don’t need grand gestures.
- A slower response
- A gentler interpretation
- Curiosity instead of assumption
- Remembering there is a person behind the behaviour

Small signals of safety accumulate in the nervous system - ours and theirs. Kindness works biologically in all directions: giver, receiver and observer.

And perhaps right now, beginning at the everyday level matters most.

Inspired by research discussed in the Feel Better, Live More podcast (Dr Rangan Chatterjee & Dr David Hamilton) alongside broader psychoneuroimmunology literature.

07/01/2026

RWA Psychology - Family Matters is back in action for 2026

With appointments available on Mondays to Fridays, we offer support for a range of mental health services.
- Perinatal
- Child and Adolescent
- Couples
- Sexual Health
- Depression and Anxiety

Give our reception team a call at 9980 1400 or visit our website at https://www.rwapsych.com.au/

#2026

19/12/2025

Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays and New Year!

RWA Psychology will be closed between DEC 19th - JAN 04th.

If you have any correspondences, please send them over to admin@rwapsych.com.au and we will get back to you once we are back.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact emergency services and local mental health support.

Lifeline 131 114
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Su***de Callback Line 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

17/12/2025

Our thoughts are with every person and community impacted by the terrible attack at Bondi yesterday 🧡

In the aftermath of traumatic events, you might be feeling distressed, tearful and anxious, this is entirely normal and could linger for many days or even weeks.

Trauma can have far-reaching effects on the mind and body. It can cause people to have difficulty sleeping or to feel very anxious, especially about returning to the scene of a trauma.

It can be hard to know what to do or how to help others who may need it. Below you will find some practical ways to take care of yourself after a traumatic event has occurred 👇

10/12/2025

Christmas is a time of joy and wonder, yet for many people this is not their experience.

The holiday period can introduce unexpected stressors and challenging emotions, making it difficult to manage. This Christmas, it is important to prioritise your own wellbeing and to reach out to others who may also be finding this time of year challenging.

If you or someone you know is needing additional support during the Christmas period, give our reception team a call at 9980 1400 or visit our website https://www.rwapsych.com.au/

24/11/2025

In honour of International Mens Day on the 19th November, we are sharing the Speaking for the Baby Campaign by the Centre for Perinatal Psychology.

Perinatal support also includes looking after our dads!

19/11/2025

Today is International Mens Day

We are supporting boys and men, and encouraging those struggling and their friends to speak up.

1 in 2 men struggle with their mental health.

The leading cause of death in men under 55 is su***de.

Men who lack close friends are more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

Remember, check up on your mates.

13/11/2025

🩷💫 Happy World Kindness Day! 🩷💫

Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give. How are you spreading kindness today?

30/10/2025

Deciding to see a psychologist can be scary, but we are here to make that journey easier!

Give our friendly reception team a call at 9980 1400 or head over to our website https://www.rwapsych.com.au/

23/10/2025

🌸 OCTOBER IS PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH 🌸

At RWA Psychology – Family Matters, we acknowledge the profound grief that follows when a baby dies through miscarriage, TFMR (termination for medical reasons), or stillbirth. 💛

Thank you to The Centre for Perinatal Psychology for this post and all you do to raise awareness for such an important topic 🩷

OCTOBER IS PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH

💛 Continuing Bonds 💛
When a baby dies through miscarriage, TFMR or stillbirth, the baby often lives on in mind in the imaginings of the mother and father. While the baby’s life has ended, the relationship continues. People develop an array of creative ways to continue their bonds with their baby after s/he has died. These include:
~ talking to their baby (as in this illustration)
~ looking at photos from scans (if they have them)
~ keeping items of clothing they had bought or been given for baby
~ planning for the anniversary of their scheduled birth date
~ creating rituals or traditions to include the deceased baby in their day or life (eg, lighting a candle, planting a remembrance tree)

The idea of ‘Continuing Bonds’ suggests that not only are these behaviours normal, but they may help with the grief, that is, they are potentially healing and therapeutic.

🫶 We invite you to share the ways in which you continued your bond with your baby after a perinatal loss – what helped you?

Illustration created by Bronwyn Leigh, Carla Anderson, Charise Deveney & Julie King;
Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft of Jesses Mess - Illustrations

22/10/2025

An appreciation for all of the wonderful friendships out there that make us feel supported and loved x

Give a shout out to a friend that is always there for you!