Inner Compass - Counselling, Psychotherapy & Psychoeducation

22/01/2023

11/12/2022

A gentle reminder about why you are utterly exhausted…

No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the vicious onslaught of the previous two years (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021… frazzled, spent, running on aged adrenaline fumes…

We crawled into 2022 still carrying shock, trauma, grief, heaviness, disbelief… The memories of a surreal existence…

And then it began… The fastest hurricane year we could ever have imagined. Whether we have consciously processed it or not, this has been a year of more pressure, more stress, and a race to “catch up” in all departments… Every. Single. One. Work, school, sports, relationships, life…

Though not intentionally aware, perhaps hopeful that the busier we are, the more readily we will forget… the more easily we will undo the emotional tangle… the more permanently we will wipe away the scarring wounds…

We can’t.

And attempts to re-create some semblance of “normal” on steroids while disregarding that for almost two years our sympathetic nervous systems were on full alert, has left our collective mental health in tatters. Our children and teens are not exempt. The natural byproduct of fighting a hurricane is complete and utter exhaustion…

So before you begin questioning the absolutely depleted and wrung-dry state you are in- Pause. Breathe. Remind yourself of who you are and what you have endured. And then remind yourself of what you have overcome.

Despite it all, you’re still going. (Even on the days you stumble and find yourself face down in a pile of dirt).

Understanding brings compassion…

Most of the world’s citizens are in need of a little extra TLC at the moment. Most are donning invisible “Handle with care” posters around their necks and “Fragile” tattoos on their bodies…

Instead of racing to the finish line of this year, tread gently. Go slowly.

Amidst the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Find compassion. Allow the healing. And most of all… Be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use just a little bit more of the healing salve of kindness.

With love ♥️

Powerful and poignant words of insight by
Naomi Holdt - Psychologist and Speaker

10/11/2022

08/09/2022

"R U Ok?" day in Australia, "Setembro Amarelo" in Brazil.
A timely reminder that we can all play a role in building a more connected and compassionate community around us.
No qualifications are required to check in on people. You just need to ask and be willing to listen empathetically, non-judgmentally, refraining from the urge to provide prescriptive answers.

"R U Ok?" na Australia, "Setembro Amarelo" no Brasil.
Uma boa oportunidade para nos lembrarmos de que todos podemos fazer a diferenca na criacao de uma comunidade mais conectada e compassiva ao nosso redor.
Nenhuma qualificacao e necessaria para checar como alguem esta se sentindo. Basta perguntar e ter a disponibilidade de ouvir com empatia, sem julgamentos, e se abstendo do impulso de oferecer respostas prontas.

21/06/2022

04/05/2022

AUSTRALIA`s MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS
I completed my qualification and got certified as a psychologist, back in Brazil nearly 20 years ago.
After 15 years of experience in clinical, organizational, social and educational settings, I came to pursue a postgraduate qualification in Australia.
I realized that the journey to be recognized as a psychologist would be lengthier and much more taxing than I was able to manage. Which was when I fully transitioned into counselling, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, where I`ve been experiencing self-realization and growth, both on the flor and in leadership roles.
I`ve been navigating through educational, therapeutic and community spaces, in regional South Australia and metropolitan Adelaide, continually committed with ongoing professional development - for passion, and due to accountability in regards to best practice, as advocated for by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
I`ve been proudly supporting South Australians of all groups, significantly the most socioeconomically vulnerable.
According to the ACA, in 2020, 65% of presentations to GP`s were due to emotional/mental issues;
- Lifeline saw a 70% increase in number of critical calls due to emotional distress;
- and within the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimative for Australians being diagnosed with a mental health disorder jumped from 1/5 to nearly 3/5 countrywide;
Yet, my qualifications, skills and experience are not recognized in the Medicare Benefits Schedule, therefore being inaccessible for the most vulnerable.
The MBS itself recognizes it subsides services which can be "aligned with contemporary clinical evidence and practice and improve health outcomes for patients", which is exactly what research shows about counselling and psychotherapy, under a variety of lenses and approaches.
Everyone can make a difference in this scenario, by signing the COUNSELLORS CARE petition to have counselling and psychotherapy services in the MBS, so that another over 10.000 passionate and qualified professionals can start to bridge one of the gaps in this huge crisis.
https://www.change.org/p/include-counsellors-on-medicare-to-meet-australia-s-mental-health-crisis

We need 100 000 signatures for it to taken to the Parliament.
For more information, access https://www.counsellorscare.com.au/about

There is a solution to the current mental health system crisis, that is registered counsellors. Read more about our call for change to the mental health system.

03/04/2022

And this is one of the biggest problems in regards to mental health, wellbeing and social justice. That we live in a system where a vast majority lives in survival mode. Not to mention a history of inter generational trauma, stemming from wars, colonisation, and genocide in its many forms. Environmental disasters, collective pain and individual suffering keep human beings continuously in flight, fight or freeze modes. Socioeconomic justice is as crucial as a complete reform of the mental health sector, if we want to truly promote wellbeing and prevent illness.
DM for pic credits

09/02/2022

09/02/2022

09/02/2022

09/02/2022