Brisbane ACT Centre

16/02/2026

Withdrawal and the return of psychological symptoms (relapse) are often confused.

After a dose reduction, if symptoms worsen, it is reasonable to wonder why. Withdrawal & relapse can look similar: anxiety, insomnia, low mood and more.

These infographics by Anders Sørensen, PhD highlight practical clues such as the timing of symptoms after a dose change, the appearance of new or unusual symptoms, and how symptoms respond over time.

Tapering deserves care. Slower, individualised reductions, especially at lower doses, often reduce avoidable distress. If you are considering medication changes, avoid abrupt reductions and speak with your prescribing clinician.

More on safe, supported tapering:
brisbaneactcentre.com.au/tapering/

02/01/2026

🌱 Thinking about stopping antidepressants?

For many people, it’s not as simple as just “coming off” medication.

Here’s what we now understand:
• Long-term use isn’t always harmless
• Side effects like fatigue, weight gain, and emotional or sexual numbing are common
• Withdrawal is real - and often mistaken for relapse

💡 The good news:
With slow, careful tapering and the right psychological skills, many people can come off medication safely and go on to thrive.

Dr Rob Purssey combines evidence-based hyperbolic tapering with ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) to support both the body and the mind - side by side.

You don’t have to do this alone.
And you don’t have to rush.
If you’re curious, cautious, or just gathering information - you’re welcome here.
✨

19/12/2025

Thoughts can feel like facts.

And when we fuse with them, they start making choices for us.

Defusion creates distance — not to get rid of thoughts, but to loosen their grip.

From that space, we can choose actions that align with what matters most.

30/05/2025

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers powerful tools to stop fighting yourself and start building a meaningful life with your ADHD - not in spite of it.

➡️ Learn how ACT can help you thrive:
➡️ Thank you to our psychologist Marcela Costanza for this blog

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers powerful tools for managing ADHD symptoms by encouraging acceptance of these experiences and shifting focus toward meaningful actions guided by core values. Instead of aiming to eliminate ADHD traits, ACT supports individuals to live purposefully and fully al...

22/08/2024

From Guardian Australia today - please respond if at all possible, and share on other Groups / Platforms:
Tell us about your experience taking antidepressants.
We would like to hear about your experience with depression, and if you have ever tried to stop taking antidepressant medications.

We would like to hear about your experience with depression, and if you have ever tried to stop taking antidepressant medications

09/07/2024

Essential ANTIDEPRESSANT EDUCATIONAL Lecture WEDNESDAY 17/7/24 in BRISBANE at at UQ Herston Campus.

When: Wednesday 17 July 2024 Time: 5.30 – 8.30pm
Venue: ES Meyers Lecture Theatre and Mary Emelia Mayne Room, Mayne Medical Building RSVP by: Thursday 11 July 2024

The University of Queensland are delighted to invite ALL to our first instalment of their 2024 Health Matters Lecture Series.

Are we overprescribing antidepressants?

There is increasing concern about Australia’s high rate of antidepressant use, with one in seven Australians being prescribed antidepressants.
Despite most antidepressants being prescribed by general practitioners with clinical guidelines recommending only 6 to 12 months use for moderate to severe depression, the average therapy in Australia is much longer. Ongoing use can also lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, making it increasingly harder to stop. Could this potential overuse of antidepressants be leading to more harm than good?

Join Katharine Wallis and Mark Horowitz as they share their insights around antidepressant prescribing, explore ways that long term use can be tapered and discuss how we can support change in general practice prescribing practices.

From UQ, open to all: Link to the complimentary e-invite:

These lecture series are designed to engage and inform our community about current and global health issues.Are we overprescribing antidepressants?

11/06/2024

"Online therapy sessions are laser-focused on optimising your mental health and emotional well-being; and a rare opportunity to spend some time with a safe, containing, empathetic person who will help you to feel energised and refocused, rather than further draining your battery. "

Join psychologist Ali Flint to discover 5 compelling reasons telehealth therapy might be right for you.

In an ideal world every child will be nurtured, loved and protected. Unfortunately, as my news feed keeps reminding me, we don’t live in an ideal world, the world is not a fair place and numerous children encounter adverse and even traumatic situations far too early in life. These highly traumatis...

10/05/2024

Australia based
[INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY]:
LELAN is being supported to work with people with lived experience across Australia to develop advocacy messages related to deprescribing practices and withdrawal from anti-depressants. There will also be collaboration with Dr Mark Horowitz (an Australian working in the UK) and the Critical and Ethical Mental Health team at Adelaide University.
Activities in this initial stage between May and July 2024 will include:
- The set-up of a webpage with related information, resources and updates.
- Workshops to develop skills and core messages.
- The co-creation of several resources.
- Development of a strategy outline for continuing the campaign beyond July.
In this first instance we are inviting a group of up to ten people with lived experience to form a core group to help shape key advocacy messages and next steps around deprescribing practices and withdrawal from anti-depressants across Australia.
If you wish to get involved you can read more and complete the expression of interest at:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/M8RLRQN
Expressions of Interest close midnight Monday May 13th!
- - - - -
LELAN - Lived Experience Leadership and Advocacy Network

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

07/05/2024

May is MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

I have been a psychologist for almost two decades now. From both personal and professional experience, some of my thoughts this morning are shared below:

• Each & every one of us either directly experiences mental ill-health or knows someone that does - for a chapter or a lifetime. If it’s not you, look around your circle, check in, create safety & the time to listen to the responses of those in your life.

• Suffering is often done in S I L E N C E.

• Every human being has a story to tell. Yet, there is a whole lot who feel too afraid or ashamed to share their ‘unspeakable’ truth.

• Be an A L L Y.

• Trauma is about “what happened to you?” + “What have you lived through?” It is NEVER “What’s wrong with you?”

• No one is completely out of reach from the touch of human suffering, the trials & tribulations, the wins & the losses, the grief & mental anguish, regrets, sleepless nights, unrelenting physical pain, relational trauma, self loathing and emotional heartbreak.

• To be human is to feel it A L L.

• You are so much more than any mental health condition or label you may have been given. Diagnoses can be helpful. Like a home to shepherd a range of symptoms so they may live (& be treated) in a more organised way. It is a very real part of you. It doesn’t however come close to describing all the unique magic that lives inside of you or W H O you are to others.

• Mental health challenges, internal battles, recovery, relapses & healing on all levels can bring with it surprising ‘G I F T S’ that aren’t given enough attention:

- Research looks into post traumatic growth now not just PTSD;

- A support network (even if small or you’re starting over) - of true friends, loved ones & professionals will emerge to weave your broken pieces together until your strength & hope returns

- No text book or therapy manual will foster the same type of empathy & shared understanding that comes from “I get it” and “I see you” lived experience.

• Your pain (once healed) can become a portal to help others. See a therapist who has done & continues to humbly do their own inner work.

- Resilience is like a muscle that flexes & grows stronger during times of adversity, not from our autopilot comfort zones.

• Don’t stop looking for the tiny glimmers in every dark cloud. If you can’t see them right now, trust they are there and that every storm must eventually pass.

• You are not alone. It is B R A V E to seek help and it is brave to authentically ‘sit with’ someone else who is suffering.

May you stand tall
May you walk in beauty
May your torch of hope shine on
May you be love & feel loved
AVFx

17/04/2024

“Time is a substance I am made of. Time is a river which sweeps me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger that devours me, but I am the tiger; it’s a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire.” ~ Jorge Luis

A wonderful quote shared by one of the beautiful peers in my Buddhism and Psychotherapy supervision group ☸️⌛️

29/01/2024

"Living in alignment with your core values often brings about a sense of contentment and “rightness,” even in the face of life’s challenges."

As January draws to a close, our psychologist Ali flint provides an alternative to new years resolutions - identifying your most important values to live with purpose and fulfillment.

The January air seems thick with a kind of angsty, overwhelmed, tension, laced with melancholy of the holidays end and a brave hope for a more joyful, abundant, promising New Year.

09/09/2023

WITH SEPTEMBER UPON US, IS IT TIME TO SPRING-CLEAN OUR LIVES? 🌾

When we hear the term 'spring cleaning', it tends to conjure up images of dusting, decluttering and drudgery, am I right? (groan) BUT what if we thought about this term and applied it more broadly than just dealing with weeding the garden or a house full of dust bunnies!? 🐰 What if we thought about it as a ‘life audit’ and getting to vote yes or no to everything & everyone in it!

Below is a list of ideas that may motivate us into Spring Cleaning our lives / homes / systems / selves until they feel and look just a little more organised and sparkly:

As you read the list below:

1. Ask yourself: Is this an area that requires a little attention? (time to put our honesty pants on). If not - great. If yes - add it to your list! The list may also spark other ideas that are relevant to you and your current situation. And certainly don’t feel like you have to do it all. Pick & choose what would help you feel more spaciousness, in control and what is in alignment with your values & priorities.

2. Formulate an action plan: what needs to be tackled, what is the order of priority, what are realistic timeframes, anything I need to do or buy prior to being able to tick that task off? Sometimes we need to go slow to go fast.

LIFE is busy and we need to try to work smarter, not harder; sometimes we need to delegate or outsource our to-do-list items (think about your time as 'billable hours' and where your time and energy is best spent). Sometimes we need to pitch in together and organise neighbourhood working bees or resort to coaxing family & friends with pizzas & beers for lending a helping hand!

Overwhelm and procrastination are serious blocks when it comes to being our best productive selves. Take solace in knowing that bigger or dreaded tasks really do need to be broken down into smaller parts, that is normal and means your goals are likely SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

3. Don't forget: Check in with how you feel as you smash each task off your list this month / this Season!! Be in the moment. Reward yourself as you go. We tend to just look at what’s next and forget to celebrate what we’ve achieved in life. Just reading this post so far means you’re on your way. You've got this!

TEN IDEAS TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE

⭐️ Sort through linen cupboards, wardrobes & accessories and donate or sell what you no longer wear or use. Maybe have a 'clothes swap' party with friends if you are similar sizes? Animal rescue / wildlife organisations often need unwanted towels, blankets etc too.

⭐️ Unsubscribe to any emails you don't read or any that annoy you each time they land in your inbox (I coin this 'electronic assault') and the struggle is real. Is "inbox zero" even possible?? This could also extend to ‘subscriptions’ for tv streaming services too.

⭐️ What activities can you STOP doing to make room for what you want to START doing in your life? Everything in life is a trade-off. Saying no to that invitation means you can yes to that thing that lights you up or some much needed rest. We often schedule in the necessary, tedious & serious stuff but we forget about setting aside time for self-care or picking up that fun hobby you miss doing?

⭐️ Who do you feel energised, respected and loved by when you spend time with them and who makes you feel drained, stressed out or resentful after spending time with them? Decluttering is not just about objects and possessions!

⭐️ Ask your children (if they are old enough & able) to go through their toys, clothes and books and see what is broken, no longer wanted, or they have grown out of. Moving forward: try to keep a rule - 1 item goes in, 1 item comes out? Or just set this goal every school holidays?

⭐️ Tackle one problem area at a time then reward yourself for your efforts - e.g., the messy miscellaneous kitchen drawer that has everything in it but no one can find anything in it (you know the one). Ugghh. The Tupperware cupboard is an equally painful Bermuda Triangle of lost plastic lids in most homes. Cleaning out the car could be a particular area to focus on one day? Then make a cuppa, watch a fav TV show, soak in the bath or go for a walk in nature to celebrate!

⭐️ Delete, save, organise your computer and phone files & photos. While we're on the topic of 'technology' - when was the last time to physically wiped down all your devices? You could consider setting 'daily time limits' if your phone usage is higher than you'd like, and delete any apps you don't need or use while you’re at it. Maybe print (I know, actually old-school print!!) some favourite photos to frame & display in your home or office? Enjoy the memories they evoke.

⭐️ Go through the garage, shed & outside spaces to see what needs to be thrown out, sold, recycled, or cleaned + put away neatly. Create a pile - maybe do a dump run or have a garage sale. Choose a nice sunny day to hose these areas out. Create labels, shelves, hooks, boxes or baskets so that everything has a ‘home’ and stays tidy & easy to find next time.

⭐️ When is the last time you cleared out the pantry, checked those expiry dates, and organised / labelled everything so it's easy to find and more likely to end up in a recipe vs the bin? (this same sort of audit goes for our bath, beauty & body products too - aim to complete Winter & Summer audits twice a year - to avoid using expired, funky or clumpy products!).

⭐️ Spring Cleaning your finances could involve: reviewing or creating a budget, clarifying savings goals, sussing out better deals (utilities, mortgages, bank fees etc), updating your resume and applying for more lucrative jobs, or identifying alternative income streams. Side hustle anyone? Whether you ask for recommendations for a great accountant, start to keep everything in a spreadsheet or download a handy budgeting app - feeling more in control of where you money goes helps you feel more in control in general. We are literally exchanging an hour of our LIFE for our hourly wage, so it’s pretty important to get the most out of it wouldn’t you agree?

I hope this helps you (and me, seriously I need a gentle kick up the butt too!).

Please feel free to share your successes or other ideas in the comments. Let’s encourage & inspire one another!

May Spring put a pep in all our steps ~ AVFx