Tristan Abba Psychologist

11/09/2025

05/09/2025

Wow, its been a long time since posting here. Behind the scenes though, I've been busy creating a new private clinic and brand, working in a NFP charity in Perth, amongst getting a lot more grey hair (I really need to update my profile photo 😅).

For anyone interested in ADHD research, you may have been bombarded with the news coverage of a certain study recently with commentary about ADHD medication and quality of life. For an alternative analysis as opposed to mainstream media portrayals, you're welcome to check out this post and see my new website at the same time (still a work in progress).

Worried about ADHD medication and you or your child’s wellbeing? Learn what the latest study really says—and how media reports may mislead.

11/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BjhseLZxX/

A beautiful reminder by Neurowild

11/06/2025

I've been working on a new venture- I've recently commenced two new roles. One of which will see me growing this new venture Mind Harbour Psychology offering typical psychological services and also not so typical psychological frameworks to those who aren't seeking face to face ongoing therapy or are unable to access this. I'm grateful and excited to share a new space out of Lit Therapy for one day a week in Hillarys. Website to come...
Welcoming feedback about my new logo and brand...

19/05/2025

This week in the AFL, we remember Adam Selwood—a life lost too soon. His passing is a stark reminder of the silent battles many men face and the importance of reaching out, speaking up, and checking in.

Let this week be a call to compassion, connection, and continued conversation about mental health. You're not alone, and support is always here.

16/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1337241634007263/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

09/04/2025

Humanising over pathologising communication.

02/04/2025

'At the end of the game the pawn and the king go back in the same box'
-Italian Proverb

30/03/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100044535965193/posts/1302347937926393/

I'm excited to share a page from my new book THINKING ABOUT THINKING! It will be published next month by Abrams ComicArts.

28/03/2025

https://theconversation.com/the-coalition-wants-to-increase-medicare-psychology-rebates-from-10-to-20-sessions-heres-what-happened-last-time-249606?fbclid=IwY2xjawJTdBlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXNcxg1mYEbqDXETQxfWomH

One solution to the gap system in medicare would be to allow patients to just pay the gap out of pocket, allowing the clinician to collect the remainder of the payment through the Medicare system. Psychologists get paid the same. Disadvantaged patients find it easier to access service.

The cap on Medicare subsidised psychology sessions rose to 20 during COVID. But there are better ways to achieve the program’s aims.

22/01/2025

The Therapist You Want vs. The Therapist You Might Need

"What happens when the therapist a client wants isn't the therapist they need? A reflection on attachment, familiarity, and therapeutic growth."

Recently, a client described their experience in therapy as being "pummeled" – quickly adding "in a good way." This vivid metaphor sparked a reflection on the complex dynamics between what clients seek in therapy and what might best serve their growth. As therapists, we're taught that the therapeutic relationship should be built on trust, as Teyber emphasizes. So how do we navigate the space between the therapist a client wants and the therapist they might need?

The therapeutic relationship is a fascinating dance of dynamics, offering endless opportunities for growth and learning to the psychologist who approaches their work with curiosity. Some therapeutic relationships demand more from the therapist, others from the client. The outcomes often mirror both participants' interpersonal patterns and their capacity for self-awareness – precisely why supervision remains crucial for psychotherapists to process the inevitable transferences that emerge.

Clients naturally gravitate toward therapists who resonate with their emotional, intellectual, and somatic needs. However, there's an interesting parallel with attachment theory: clients often bond with therapists who feel familiar rather than those who might best facilitate their growth. This comfort often stems from parallel past connections, particularly parental relationships. When clients unconsciously recreate these well-worn neural pathways with their therapist, it falls to the skilled practitioner to recognize and thoughtfully address these patterns.
But what happens when clients unconsciously seek therapeutic relationships that reinforce rather than heal their patterns? My "pummeled" client's comment prompted deep reflection: Had they sought me out because I unconsciously mirrored their experience with critical parents and unrelenting standards? When challenging their patterns, was I inadvertently recreating a critical father dynamic? While such interactions might feel natural to clients – making sense to both body and mind – they risk leading only to familiar territory rather than growth.

This realization suggests an intriguing therapeutic approach: deliberate opposite action. For clients comfortable with critical engagement, perhaps the growth edge lies in experiencing warm compassion, even if it might initially create rejection ("don't therapize me"). Conversely, for those who readily embrace nurturing therapy, might a more challenging, rationally-focused approach at times better serve their development?

As counselling psychologists, we're trained to maintain flexibility in our therapeutic approach, adapting to each client's unique needs. Yet this exploration raises as many questions as it answers. How do we distinguish between comfortable familiarity and genuine therapeutic fit? When does challenging familiar patterns serve growth, and when does it reinforce old wounds?
I invite fellow practitioners to share their experiences and insights on navigating these complex dynamics. How do you balance challenging clients' patterns while maintaining therapeutic alliance? When do you choose to step out of familiar dynamics, and how do you manage the resulting discomfort – both yours and your client's?

"What happens when the therapist a client wants isn't the therapist they need? A reflection on attachment, familiarity, and therapeutic growth."

20/01/2025

Existential concerns...