Headway Health - Clinical and Consulting Psychology Services

20/10/2025

It’s EB awareness week – and if you haven’t heard of Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) or to find out more or how you can help support those affected by this debilitating condition, see DEBRA Australia | Working for a life free from pain

DEBRA are hosting their first Walk for Wings event on Sunday 26th October in Hobart, with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane events taking part soon after, and many people taking part this year virtually – from Townsville, Perth, South Australia and more!

If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late to join in! Register now for Walk for Wings and help us raise vital funds and awareness for Australians living with If you can't make it to any of the park events, then you can register to complete the walk in your own time during EB Awareness Week – wherever suits.

https://www.debra.org.au/walk-for-wings/?utm_source=edm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=walkforwings25&utm_term=edm3

14/10/2025

We are all hearing more about POTS … and we know Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is tough. For anyone who hasn’t heard of POTS, POTS is a complex and typically chronic condition which affects the various functions of the autonomic nervous system leading to a broad range of symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness which can make day to day life challenging.

Various lifestyle and medical treatments can be used to manage POTS, however symptoms can be debilitating and unpredictable. It’s common for people to feel isolated with the condition and say things like: “I get why its called an ‘invisible illness’ – others don’t get it as I look fine. I just don’t know how I’m going to be one day to the next”.

One piece of the puzzle is finding yourself a supportive healthcare team to help you navigate your journey.

At The POTS Psychology Clinic, we provide personalised psychological strategies to help you feel more supported living with POTS and regain a sense of control over your wellbeing. We offer a range of evidence-based psychological interventions personalised to your individual needs to help with the range of concerns that may accompany POTS.

We can work together on strategies to assist with:

Coping with the emotional “fallout” of living with POTS (such as low mood, uncertainty, grief and health-related anxiety)
Nervous system regulation to support healthier autonomic functioning
Rebuilding your independence and confidence to engage in daily life
How to use exercise and lifestyle modifications most effectively
Communicating your needs with your support system and treating teams
Managing other health conditions such as chronic pain, fatigue, and gut issues.

We also work with families and loved ones to manage their concerns and learn more about how they can assist the person living with POTS to manage your own wellbeing.

Clinical Psychologist, Avnee Lagad, leads a team of psychologists at The POTS Psychology Clinic who understand the challenges of navigating life around POTS. They can work closely with you and your GP, specialists, and multidisciplinary team to provide holistic personalised care that supports you.

We can meet you via telehealth wherever you live in Australia, or in person at our North Sydney or Frenchs Forest rooms. We are professional, warm, compassionate and focused on listening to your needs. To learn more, or to book in an appointme, please contact us on (02) 9453 3027 or email info@headwayhealth.com.au.

https://headwayhealth.com.au/pots/

For more information on POTS and the diagnostic process, please visit the Australian POTS Foundation, and speak to your GP or specialist team about the best care available for you.

09/10/2025

To recognise World Mental Health Day on 10th October, the Australian Psychological Society has developed a number of new resources for the community. We’re including the link to a short 5 minute video for stress as it’s something we can all try, whether we are new to practicing relaxation, or just want to take a pause: 5 minute guided mindfulness for stress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fxk8SUT1KA&t=4s

he APS is a starting point for information on a wide range of common concerns, from ADHD, learning disorder, self image in girls, gambling, to loneliness and dementia, so explore here:

Resources for psychologists to share on World Mental Health Day | APS

Take five minutes to reconnect with your mind and body in this guided mindfulness exercise, designed by APS psychologists to help you understand and work thr...

07/10/2025

Sharing information about ourselves or someone we love needing treatment is never a conversation we want to have. It can feel like one of the hardest parts of navigating cancer. All of us have children in our lives, whether they are our own, our grandchildren, or children in our community, and, even when they’re grown up, they’re still our children—and we may feel a deep instinct to protect them.

As each of our situations is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and there may never feel like a “right” time. While there’s no clear prescription for conversations, most agree that trust and sharing information at an appropriate to the person is important. Without enough information, people may fill in the blanks themselves - through guesswork, schoolyard talk, or even Dr Google.

There are however resources and health professionals who can support you: the guide: Talking to kids about cancer | Cancer Council helps you think about ‘what information, when, who and how’ relative to the age of children and young adults; and Canteen (see Support Services for Parents Impacted by Cancer | Canteen Australia) can talk with parents as well as young adults .

Sometimes, speaking with someone outside the family can help you clarify your thoughts and plan. As psychologists we can work with you on strategies and your confidence in learning and listening to find out what your loved ones need to know. We can help you work out what feels right for you and the people in your life to pave a way forward. Please reach out—our team is here to support you and your loved ones.

30/09/2025

Many people navigating cancer treatment find that managing conversations with others can be tricky. While many people appreciate family, friends or wider social contacts asking how they’re going, some questions may not always be welcome—especially if you're trying to take your mind off your health. Sometimes, questions can feel intrusive or come with unsolicited advice, or carers can feel they get the brunt of questions.

Over time, people often say that navigating social situations get easier with practice—whether through having a few standard responses ready, using humour, or simply learning who to avoid! We've heard a range of strategies over the years that others have tried, and you might find some that resonate with you or wish to add to your own repertoire. It’s completely okay to decide how much you want to share and to prioritise your emotional well-being. Planning ahead and setting boundaries can be helpful - politely but clearly set boundaries around what you're comfortable discussing, and repeat your same response if the questions persist. You might rehearse responses like: “Thanks for asking—it's lovely to have a break from it and just enjoy being here tonight”, or “I'm having a good day, thanks. How are you? It’s been a while since we caught up.” These can help redirect the conversation, and you might also ask a support person to step in if needed. Others have said they plan where they may sit, give themselves permission to leave early, or even take a quick break—like a dash to the bathroom—as a circuit breaker.

Peer support groups can be a great way to learn from others who’ve walked a similar path. To find out what’s available near you, visit Cancer Council NSW - Cancer Information and Support or call the NSW Cancer Council Helpline on 13 14 20 as they maintain a directory of groups across different regions, telehealth options, and run the CancerConnect program to link you with someone who has had similar experiences.

Psychologists Avnee, Peter, and Emily (pictured) work with HeadwayHealth at the Centre for Wellbeing, and can help you brainstorm responses and approaches to the unique situations you may face in addition to a range of common concerns that may arise for those managing cancer treatments and their adjustment. You may also wish to ask if your cancer treatment centre offers opportunities for connection, for example, the Centre for Wellbing at the Mater Hospital North Sydney provides programs to help patients connect with others (see: Centre for Wellbeing | Cancer Care | Mater Hospital Sydney).

23/09/2025

HeadwayHealth has been privileged to work with DEBRA to care for families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) for more than 7 years.

Please take a look the upcoming Walk for Wings event Walk For Wings - DEBRA Australia to see if you can help: https://www.debra.org.au/walk-for-wings/?utm_source=edm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=walkforwings25&utm_term=edm1

18/09/2025

It’s been a number of years since the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia (COSA) released its position statement on the importance of exercise for those undergoing cancer treatment (cosa-position-statement-exercise-in-cancer-care-dec2020-final-min.pdf). Health professionals are encouraged to discuss exercise with those undergoing treatment and to connect them with experts such as exercise physiologists or physiotherapists. The goal? To make exercise a routine part of cancer care as we know that exercise supports both our physical and emotional well-being, helps manage fatigue, and reduces treatment side effects. Yet ironically, those same challenges—fatigue and side effects—can make it incredibly difficult to get moving, especially if we weren’t previously in the habit of exercising. It’s completely normal to feel like exercise is the last thing you want to do during treatment. You’re not alone.

So what can help?

Start by identifying resources and supports are available to you, and the barriers you’re facing. The Cancer Council NSW’s guide Exercise for People Living with Cancer, is a great place to start. Get expert advice from exercise physiology or physiotherapy services that specialise in supporting people with acute or chronic health conditions - your care team may already work with professionals they can refer you to. If you feel cost is a barrier, speak to your GP about whether you’re eligible for a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP), which provides access to up to 5 subsidised visits per year to allied health services such as physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, and more.

Make it achievable and enjoyable. A realistic plan to increase movement should be something you enjoy and can build gradually—alongside rest, good nutrition, hydration, and regular medical check-ins. Exercising outdoors, joining others, or turning it into a social activity can help you stay motivated. Or keep it simple: if a friend asks how they can support you, suggest a short walk together instead of another coffee catch-up; most smartphones can track your steps which can be a helpful way to monitor progress and help set realistic goals.

It may take time to find strategies that work for you, and that’s okay. Please don’t use guilt as a motivator. If something isn’t working, talk to your team, re-think, experiment, and try again. Something is always better than nothing. Most importantly, notice your achievements, be kind to yourself, and celebrate every win—no matter how small.

01/09/2025

“I’ve heard of social workers – but how could they help me?” We may not have had any reason to meet a social worker to date or be aware of how they may be able to help us as part of our cancer care, but social workers can be great people to know! They are university trained allied health professionals dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities, and may work across a range of settings such as schools, hospitals, and government agencies.

Social workers are experts in connecting people with resources to help improve our well-being. Many hospital cancer centres will have access to an oncology social worker who has specialized expertise in accessing practical and financial resources, supporting families, counselling, and navigating the healthcare system. They may also be able to act as a bridge to your medical teams, helping you understand treatment options and make decisions about your care options. As well through your hospital, you may also be able to meet one through some GP programs or family support services.

To learn how a social worker may be able to help you or find out if you are eligible for any more assistance, please ask your hospital care team, your GP, or visit the Australian Association of Social Workers

Become a member today When you join the AASW you’ll become part of an active and vibrant community of more than 17,000 social work professionals. Join Now Find a Social Worker FAQs Registration of Social Work Ethics & Complaints Practice & Career Credentials CPD & Events Catalogue Updates Upcoming...

27/08/2025

Are you navigating work and cancer? Or supporting someone who is?

We know work is important for many reasons, and our ability to work through or after cancer can be affected by a range of factors including our physical capacity and treatment/appointment schedules, as well as the flexibility and support our workplace may be able to offer.

Information and support can help empower you to work out your best path forward:

The Cancer Council’s guides support both employers and employees- see the Cancer, Work and You information booklet as well as new information sheets on topics such as talking to your employee, creating ‘cancer-friendly’ workplaces, supporting a co-worker, and supporting working carers.
Live Work Cancer is dedicated to empowering you and assisting workplaces to become ‘CancerKind’ in recognition that 40% or more of those diagnosed are of working age, and also offers more personalised support options.

https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/cancer-information/coping-with-a-diagnosis/work-and-cancer/for-workplaces-employers/

https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Workplace_Creating-cancer-friendly-workpaces-2024.pdf

08/08/2025

08/08/2025

The Cancer Council NSW have launched a new resource…Understanding Heart Health and Cancer

The 8-page resource explains how people can reduce their risk of heart issues during and after cancer treatment. It was developed as long-term cancer survivors are more likely to experience cardiovascular disease than the general population according to recent Australian research. The resource provides an accessible easy-to-read fact sheet which can be found as a printable PDF and as web content at cancercouncil.com.au/heart-health.

14/05/2025

Lifeline provides a range of invaluable services for those who need to talk to someone, those struggling at some point in their lives, as well as those who have lost someone. New online chat services are helping with access for younger clients, and support operates 24/7. Lifeline is a charity and of course needs funding to continue to offer services and provide more – they are organising a push-up challenge next month – so you can get stronger and do good! Take a look if you think you can help: https://pages.lifelinedirect.org.au/pushupchallenge

And please plug in “Lifeline 13 11 14” into your phone so it’s always on hand.

Australia’s largest fitness-based mental health event is back and we’re calling on individuals and teams to step up and push for change. From June 4–26, thousands of Australians—of all ages and abilities—will come together to complete 3,214 push-ups over 23 days, raising awareness for ment...