Kristy Ward Psychology

21/07/2025

Amchevk out this fantastic resource for Psychologists 🙌

Join our 5-week live webinar program to empower mental health clinicians in setting up and running effective DBT programs. Gain access to valuable resources and

30/10/2023

🩶Every child is the world 🩶 (Written by Anthony Howard).

When people hear you have received that awful phone call to say your child has died, they respond with deep empathy, care, and compassion. Few know what to say or what to do, though even in their shock they express their support, offering to help in any way they can. Those thousands of phone calls in Israel were felt around the world. The emptiness left by one death magnified exponentially, creating a black hole of suffering, that drew in families, friends, and communities. Collectively we felt, and continue to feel, the pain. Collectively we feel powerless, but want to help. In that awful moment, as you clutch your heart and gasp for breath, human care, empathy, and solidarity offer a lifeline for the broken hearted.

Life is normal until we get the call telling us our child has died, plunging us into an abyss of anguish, a howling pit of grief. Life is now lived in and with grief, divided into those moments before the call and that interminable time after. In Israel the phone rang, and rang again. Over and over and over. And over. Each call unleashed a new wave of sorrow, accumulating into a torrent of grief that rose to the skies. Thousands of people now live in the grip of grief, putting one heavy foot in front of another, while all around is death. The weight is crushing, and seems unbearable. You are not alone.

Read the full article below 🙏
https://anthonyhoward.substack.com/p/never-should-adults-slaughter-children

26/10/2023

Your body is not the problem. It never has been, never will be.

You have been criticising yourself for years.. try accepting yourself and see what happens.🩶

24/10/2023

Hi! It’s been a little while since I posted so thought I should drop in and let you know I am once again accepting new clients.

Sessions continue to be available via Telehealth, or from our Gympie clinic in QLD.

I am passionate about helping people of all ages to overcome barriers with evidenced based therapy and treatment including Schema Therapy, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, EMDR and other trauma informed therapies.

I treat the full range of clinical presentations from anxiety and depression to personality disorders, eating disorders, relationship problems, and much more.

Call or message to find out if I can help you. 🩶

09/08/2023

It can help you learn your biggest strengths.

20/06/2023

SLEEP!!🌗🙏
There are many potential causes of sleep difficulties in children. Some of the most common include:

- Poor sleep habits: When children are not on a consistent sleep schedule or have inconsistent sleep routines, it can be difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Anxiety and stress: Children who are anxious or stressed may have difficulty falling asleep or may wake up frequently during the night.
- Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as sleep apnoea, neurodevelopmental conditions or restless leg syndrome, can interfere with a child's ability to sleep.
- Behavioural issues: Children who have trouble with impulse control or who have behavioural issues may have difficulty staying in bed and falling asleep.

Some ways to improve your child’s sleep habits:

1. Establish a bedtime routine: Set a consistent bedtime and create a calming bedtime routine that your child can follow. This routine could include taking a bath, reading a book, or listening to calming music.
2. Create a comfortable sleep environment: Make sure your child's bedroom is conducive to sleep. This could mean adjusting the temperature, adding blackout curtains, or removing distractions such as electronics.
3. Limit caffeine and sugar: Caffeine and sugar can interfere with a child's ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Limit your child's intake of these substances, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Sleep problems can manifest as all sorts of behavioural and emotional problems in both children and adults. Assessing sleep should be the first thing we look at and address to improve these difficulties.

04/06/2023

Adult ADHD affects around 1 in every 20 Australians. Undiagnosed ADHD can cause great frustration and confusion for adults who are unable to otherwise explain their symptoms. Adult ADHD can look like:
1. Disorganisation
Problems keeping track of tasks and trouble prioritising them in a logical manner.
2. Relationship concerns
Including:
- inattentiveness
- being easily bored
- talking over people in conversation.
3. Lack of focus
The telltale symptom of ADHD:
- being easily distracted
- finding it hard to listen to others
- overlooking details
- not completing tasks or project.
- procrastinating
4. Restlessness and anxiety
You may feel like your internal motor won’t shut off. Your yearning to keep moving and doing things can lead to frustration when you can’t do something immediately.
5. Forgetfulness
It’s human to forget things occasionally, but for someone with ADHD, forgetfulness tends to occur more often. This can include routinely forgetting where you’ve put something or what important dates you need to keep.
6. Impulsivity
Can manifest in several ways:
- interrupting others
- being socially inappropriate
- rushing through tasks
- acting without much consideration for the consequences
7. Negative self-image
Adults with ADHD are often hypercritical of themselves, which can lead to a negative self-image. This is due in part to difficulties concentrating, as well as other symptoms that may affect school, work, and relationships. Adults with ADHD may view these difficulties as personal failures or underachievement, which can cause them to see themselves in a negative light.
8. Lack of motivation
9. Physical health concerns
ADHD can lead a person to neglect their physical health which can manifest as:
- compulsively eating a poor diet
- not exercising
- forgoing important medication
10. Substance misuse
Adults with ADHD are more likely than others to experience substance misuse in hopes of:
- improving focus
- improving sleep
- relieving anxiety
Exploring a diagnosis can provide relief to adults who may have spent their whole life wondering‘what’s wrong’ with them. We can help, or seek help from an appropriate professional 🩶

Stats from Healthline.

01/06/2023

Our online booking portal is live! Link in bio and on our website. Jump online and easily schedule your appointment. Let’s work together 🩶

31/05/2023

What does your anxious child need to hear..?
You are enough
I am proud of you
I love you just the way you are
You deserve to feel safe
I hear you
Your voice matters
We can get through this..🩶

22/04/2023