Creating Change Psychology & Counselling

27/06/2025

Let’s Talk About Mental Health and Why 10 Sessions Just Don’t Cut It!!
This is something close to our heart.
Under Australia’s current Medicare system, people can access just 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year. That might sound like a lot but if you or someone you love has ever needed support for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or burnout, you’ll know, 10 sessions barely scratch the surface.
Mental health recovery isn’t linear. It’s not a quick fix. It takes time to build trust with a psychologist, to unpack years of pain, and to develop the tools to cope and heal. For many, especially those with complex or long-term conditions, 10 sessions might only get you through the initial crisis not the deeper work that leads to lasting sustainable change.
After that, people are left with a tough choice, pay out of pocket (which many can’t afford), or stop therapy altogether.
That’s why I’m supporting this petition to increase the Medicare cap on psychology sessions. Because mental health care should be accessible, ongoing, and treated with the same urgency and respect as physical health.
🖊️ Please take a moment to sign and share: https://lnkd.in/geE54Pvh
Let’s push for a system that supports people through the whole journey not just the beginning. Read more about our sustainable change approach here https://lnkd.in/g8hjBPY6
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

25/06/2025

Spotlight on Our Psychologist: Darby Fochesato

We’re proud to share the incredible work of our psychologist, Darby Fochesato, who has been conducting vital research into cyberbullying victimisation, a growing issue affecting young people across Australia and the world.

Her research explores two key questions:
What can victims do to reduce the impact of cyberbullying?
What factors contribute to repeat cyberbullying behaviour?

The findings are powerful:
- Moral disengagement by both perpetrators and peer bystanders plays a major role in allowing cyberbullying to continue.
- Victims often respond with aggression rather than assertiveness, which can escalate the cycle.
- Building self-efficacy, a person’s belief in their ability to cope and respond is crucial in helping victims protect their mental health and break the cycle.

Darby’s work is now being extended into school-based research, with the goal of developing practical strategies that can be implemented in classrooms to support students and reduce cyberbullying recidivism.

Beyond her research, Darby is passionate about developing psychological assessment tools and is also Cool Kids trained, helping children and teens manage anxiety through evidence-based programs.

👏 We’re so lucky to have Darby on our team combining research, clinical insight, and a deep commitment to making a difference.

24/06/2025

What if your child labelled as "defiant" is actually overwhelmed, misunderstood, and doing their best to cope with an internal storm? Lets step into the world of a child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) exploring what’s really happening beneath the surface and how adults can respond with compassion and clarity to support lasting change.

23/06/2025

When parenting feels more like survival than connection, it can leave you emotionally drained, isolated, and questioning everything. If you’re feeling like the joy has slipped away, you’re not alone. We explore why those feelings happen, especially for parents raising children with challenging behaviours like ODD, and offers four grounded, compassionate strategies to help you reconnect with yourself, your child, and the hope that things can change.

https://creatingchange.net.au/when-parenting-feels-too-hard-finding-hope-and-connection/

22/06/2025

So beautifully said 💬
At the end of the day, peace of mind and peace in your heart is everything.
It’s more valuable than anything money can buy and worth protecting. 💛

07/06/2025

💜 Domestic & Family Violence Is Everyone’s Business 💜

This week, we attended “From Awareness to Action: A Collaborative Approach to Family Violence,” hosted by WentWest and Hills Doctors. A powerful reminder that domestic and family violence continues to affect far too many in our community.

In Australia (2022–2023), 84 people lost their lives to family violence:
🔸 38 were killed by an intimate partner
🔸 46 were killed by a family member (including 16 by their own parent, 16 by their child, and 4 by a sibling).

These aren’t just statistics. Most of us know someone who has experienced the pain and fear of domestic violence. It’s real, it’s local, and it’s serious. An astonishing 55,000 AVO's were filed in 2024. Filings have increased 70% over the past 5 years. In the Hills alone Police are facing 10-12 DV incidents each day.

The event highlighted the complexity of prosecuting the new coercive control offence, with the local magistrate sharing that while evidence for coercive control is hard to establish, convictions for intimidation are more common. a reflection of how insidious control can be without obvious signs and that we have not yet achieved a successful outcome with the changing of the laws.

At Creating Change Psychology, we believe support is most effective when it’s a collaborative community effort. We’re proud to stand alongside Castle Hill Police’s Domestic Violence Liaison Officers, trusted GPs, and local family law experts like Maria Valenzuela D'Antonio from HNT Legal, as we work together to support those impacted by violence and keep families safe.

If you or someone you care about needs help, please know you’re not alone. Reach out. Talk to your GP, speak with a psychologist, or contact police for immediate support.

It takes all of us to create safer homes and a safer community. 💛

06/06/2025

One of the questions we are asked most often is: “How do I choose the right therapist?” It’s such a personal decision and an important one.

Therapy isn’t just about the strategies and techniques (though those matter too). It’s about trust, safety, and the sense that someone really sees you, without judgment. That connection, that sense of being heard and understood is at the heart of healing.

Jessica Chapman our resident novelist and psychologist (prov) has written a short piece to help guide those who are unsure where to begin. Whether you’re searching for the first time, or thinking of returning to therapy, this blog will give you some thoughtful points to consider when finding a therapist who feels right for you.

💬 Read more: https://creatingchange.net.au/what-matters-when-choosing-a-therapist

05/06/2025

Perimenopause isn't just about hot flushes. Many women face unexpected emotional struggles, like anxiety and depression, during this life transition.

Our latest blog explores how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help alleviate these symptoms, offering a path to emotional well-being. If you're navigating this challenging time, you're not alone—there's hope.

📖 Read more to discover helpful strategies: https://creatingchange.net.au/emotional-struggles-of-perimenopause/

Explore the often-overlooked emotional challenges of perimenopause, beyond just the physical symptoms like hot flushes.

04/06/2025

🧠🌿 Celebrating Nancy Marano and Her Contribution to Mental Health & Neurological Research

We’re incredibly proud of one of our very own Psychologist Nancy Marano whose recently published research is now featured on PubMed! 🙌

Titled “Does the side of onset influence symptom severity in Parkinson's disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis” [read it here 👉 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38640454], Nancy’s research explores a fascinating question with real-world implications for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of individuals living with Parkinson’s.

After a personal brush with Parkinson’s touched her life, Nancy was inspired to dive deeper into understanding the intricacies of this complex disease. Her research reflects not only scientific curiosity but also genuine compassion and commitment to improving outcomes for people managing neurodegenerative conditions.

Nancy continues to bring this same insight, warmth, and dedication into her work with clients here at Creating Change Psychology. We are so lucky to have her as part of our team 💛

12/05/2025

🎉💔 When Celebration Feels Complicated... 💔🎉

Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays—these days are meant to bring us joy. But what if they don’t?

Maybe you dread the awkward conversations, the subtle criticisms, or the pressure to make everyone happy. Maybe these moments stir up old roles or patterns you’ve worked hard to grow beyond. A simple “You’re just like your father” or "You're too sensitive" can reopen wounds you thought were long healed. Maybe its another day you have to relive the pain of loss.

Our latest blog explores the hidden emotional weight of special occasion days, especially when family dynamics make things tough. If you’ve ever walked away from a celebration feeling worse instead of better, this one’s for you.

👀 Read it here 👉 https://creatingchange.net.au/anxiety-grief-guilt-navigating-family-events/
💬 And remember—you’re not alone, and support is always here if you need it.

28/04/2025

✨ New on the Blog: Complex PTSD or ADHD? ✨
Misdiagnosis happens more often than you think — and it can change the entire journey of healing.

Sometimes what looks like ADHD symptoms — difficulty concentrating, restlessness, impulsivity — can actually be the impact of unprocessed trauma. 😔
Understanding the real root of the struggle is key to offering the right support, not just a label.

In our latest article, we unpack why trauma can mimic ADHD symptoms, how to tell the difference, and why thorough psychological assessment matters more than ever. 🧠💬

If you (or someone you love) has ever wondered whether it's ADHD, trauma, or a bit of both — this read is for you.

👉 https://creatingchange.net.au/complex-ptsd-adhd-misdiagnosis/

28/04/2025

🌟 May Special at Creating Change Psychology! 🌟

Looking for clear answers and real strategies to support learning, focus, and wellbeing?
This May, we're offering Comprehensive ADHD and Learning Assessments — with over 12 hours of in-depth testing, evaluation, feedback, and tailored recommendations.

✅ Understand ADHD, Learning Disorders, ASD and more
✅ Uncover individual strengths and challenges
✅ Receive practical strategies to support long-term success
✅ Comprehensive feedback session and detailed report

✨ Special Offer: Was $3600, now $2400 for a limited time! ✨

Our team is passionate about helping children, teens, and adults uncover the ‘why’ behind learning and attention challenges — and empowering them with the tools they need to thrive.

If you’ve been thinking about seeking clarity for yourself, your child, or your student, now is the perfect time to act.

📞 Call us on (02) 8883 3185 or visit https://creatingchange.net.au/our-services/child-and-teen-psychological-assessments/ to find out more or book your place.

Creating Clear Paths to Confidence and Success!