Kym Madden Counselling

20/06/2025

What if AI meant this?

What if the new era of AI means that we as humans are being challenged to become more human and less like robots ourselves?

To find new ways to open our hearts, be more compassionate, wiser, more connected with ourselves and others, accept our unique human qualities and value them, to transform our grief over life's many losses into a deeper meaning of life? To make a more humane world than the world has yet known.

Can we step up? Let the robots do the 'boring' work.

18/06/2025

No matter how hard life gets, waking up with an open mind and open heart is what counts. Even 1% improvement is to be celebrated. Thanks for the photo, Sam Samantha Palmer

16/05/2025

SPECIAL OFFER

Are you at a crossroad?

If you are wishing to speak with someone about something important...I am offering online sessions at a lower price in June.

Just $80 per hour (no rebate available, normally $120).

Note: Online only – telephone or video counselling sessions only using What’s App. Will need to download this app (free). Fully encrypted, private sessions.

Individuals only, not couples

Valid only between June 1 - August 31, 2025

Free initial consultation available – see if I am right for you

I am an experienced local counsellor (in my 60s) with wide life experience. Offering compassionate counselling, no judgement, treating you as a whole person not just the issue you wish to discuss.

Work at your own pace. Flexible how often, and how many sessions.

Offering sessions on weekends as well as during the week.

For more information, see https://www.kymmaddencounsellingandcoaching.com

Message anytime - kymmadden1@gmail.com
0438 357 772

11/05/2025

What KIND of 60-year-old do you want to be?

You may not want to be 60. Maybe you like being 50, or 40 sounds much better to you.

However, being 60 will be your fate unless you have a worse outcome.

So what kind of 60 is for you?

Here are three questions to consider.

1. How old do you want 60 to be?

How will you identify yourself….young or old (or in-between)? How will you refer to yourself and others at 60? How will you see your capacity, your attractiveness, your weaknesses? Will you treat changes you see in yourself with compassion? Will you see yourself improving in important ways? Will you be ageist in your thinking and your words? Will you notice the benefits of your age?

2. What qualities do you want in your 60s?

Which of your personal qualities and characteristics would you really like to cultivate or ‘dial up’, once you are past the high-pressure years of career and family? What specific strengths and abilities will serve you best over the coming years, in the face of change and opportunities. How can you best deal with inevitable losses in life? What qualities are you pleased to have, and want to shore up:

3. How will you keep growing?

What are you going to be open to, and be flexible about, in your 60s? Will you allow for new pleasures? What new ways will you expand your mind? How will you look after your body? How can you give to yourself and others?

Deciding the kind of 60 you will be can be life-changing.

Yet most of us just fall into old ways of doing things. We allow ourselves to run down, to get just a bit stale. We see the best years as behind us. We communicate this and are treated like this. What a waste of this decade!

Let's give ourselves much more grace than this.

Turning 60 is an opportunity to live with intention and adopt a growth mindset. To live more fully. The 60s can be the best decade of your life if you let it.

If you are ready to give some thought to your 60s, consider counselling. I keep time each week for new clients because it's no fun waiting months for an important conversation.

www.kymmaddencounsellingandcoaching.com
kymmadden1@gmail.com

05/05/2025

About Listening

It's a day to celebrate when you can sit down with your partner and be open to hearing difficult things.

The urge to defend is nearly always present.

What helps you come from a place of inner security, so there's no need to protect yourself when conversations get hard?

It's from a place of 'being enough' in yourself that you can ask clarifying questions and show you do understand (or are willing to understand).

Trust takes time. It takes being there for another. And allowing another to be there for you.

Again and again.

If you aren't there, there's small steps you can take today.

01/05/2025

Perfectionism is a problem we can try to do something about

When your son or daughter feels upset, do you wonder what's triggering it?

It's not uncommon for there to be a sense of never being good enough. You probably have experienced this too.

It is a gnawing resistance to being comfortable in our own skin. Wanting to be someone or something other than what we are.

Some call this angst perfectionism, others call it low self esteem. They are not quite the same but they do point to a restlessness within, and self-rejection too.

What you can do as a parent is to learn more, so that the support you do provide is as compassionate as possible.

Your child is changing all the time and with positive experiences and personal growth, will come through this painful phase.

Perfectionism among young people has skyrocketed, but experts say there are ways to quiet your inner critic.

18/04/2025

How are you this Easter?

If you need a shoulder this weekend, please reach out. We all have times when we genuinely some support... All of us.

Family members or friends will be there for us if they can.

If you don't have this option, I have some times for counselling. Not only me. Lifeline and beyond blue, too.

Be there for yourself.

Enquiries kymmadden1@gmail.com. More info at

Counselling and Coaching Sunshine Coast Help with two of life’s biggest problems – low mood and procrastination.No GP pre-approvals

15/04/2025

What we thought would happen didn't

When we face separation from someone we truly loved, we realise the truth that life is a journey not a destination.

May all those in pain today feel some comfort.

Sometimes, it’s letting go that makes one strong.

14/04/2025

When in a relationship, it's easy to forget this

The first thing to try.

From therapist and author Russ Harris:
“Often asking for what you want doesn’t require [anything but politeness].

You have a right to ask for what you want; and your partner has a right to be spoken to politely. So make your request a friendly one, without snapping or criticising, or demands, threats or insults.

Many people find this hard to do because they won’t let go of stories such as these:
"I shouldn’t have to ask. They should just do it."
"I’ve tried asking nicely. She never listens."
"Why should I have to ask nicely? He doesn’t deserve it."
"If I ask nicely, they’ll ignore me. They only ever agree when I get angry. "

Are you willing to unhook from these stories? They may be partly true – or even totally true – but how does it work for your relationship when you hold onto them tightly?

Regardless of what has happened in the past, the fact remains that the simplest way to get your needs met and build a healthy relationship is to ask nicely.”

If you are struggling, share it with a friend or a counsellor. We need all need support at different times.

www.kymmaddencounsellingandcoaching.com
kymmadden1@gmail.com

24/01/2025

It may not feel like it today, but you really do have what it takes to be free, happy, and whole. What small step can you take in the right direction?

31/12/2024

Much peace and wisdom to all as we go into 2025.

If you are in a reflective mood, here are some questions worth pondering.

1. How have you changed this past year? What have you learned about yourself?

2. What do you want to do more of, or start doing in 2025 that you know would make your life better in some way?

3. What is likely to derail you making a change you want, and what could you do that will make a difference?

4. How could you give yourself a bit more support this coming year?

5. Thinking of one change you'd like. What's one positive quality you have, that you know you have, that if you relied upon it more often, would help make this a reality in 2025?

14/12/2024

Am appreciating courtesy on the road right now. It's so good to see! Not always there. Let's focus on the positive actions of others and add our small bit.