Marsden Health

30/07/2025

You weren’t ‘too sensitive’. You just needed safety 💙

When we’re little, our ability to manage emotions depends on feeling seen, held and supported by the people around us. But when that safety isn’t there, often because those caregivers didn’t have it themselves, kids are left to navigate big feelings alone.

Without that relational connection, emotional regulation feels impossible, and self-blame steps in. It’s not your fault. You simply didn’t get what you needed at the time.

Healing starts with knowing this truth and learning how to create safety within yourself now. You deserve to be held, understood and supported.

The team at Marsden Health is here to help you take the first steps toward healing. Visit the link in our bio to enquire.

27/07/2025

Why do you pull away when someone tries to get close? It might be early-formed avoidant attachment 💛

When caregivers weren’t emotionally available, you learned to rely on yourself and keep feelings locked away. Emotional distance felt safer than vulnerability, making intimacy feel like a threat instead of a comfort.

Recognising this pattern is powerful. Healing starts when you permit yourself to feel safe with connection, no rush, just your pace.

For help understanding avoidant attachments and a holistic way forward, get in touch with our caring team by calling (02) 9139 0126 📞

25/07/2025

Ever been told you’re “too much”? That’s not your fault, it’s a sign you haven’t been seen for who you truly are 🧠

Neurodivergence means your brain works differently, not wrong. When people don’t understand that, it can feel isolating and exhausting. But here’s the truth: your feelings and experiences are valid. You’re not here to fit someone else’s mould; you’re here to be unapologetically you.

Validation isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential for healing and self-acceptance. You deserve to be fully understood and embraced exactly as you are.

Our team works holistically to make that a reality for everyone who walks through our doors; reach out through the link in our bio today to take that first step.

23/07/2025

Executive dysfunction vs. laziness: What’s really happening? 💡

It’s easy to mistake executive dysfunction for laziness, but they couldn’t be more different. Executive dysfunction is a neurological challenge that affects skills like planning, organising, starting tasks and managing time (common for many neurodivergent people).

⚙️ When your brain struggles with these “executive” functions, everyday tasks can feel overwhelming or impossible to begin, not because you don’t want to, but because your brain is wired differently.

💡 Laziness is a choice; executive dysfunction is a real barrier that requires understanding, patience and tailored strategies.

If you or someone you know struggles with getting started or staying organised, it’s important to recognise the root cause and seek support, not judgment.

Remember, compassion and awareness help break down stigma and build better support systems for everyone. Chat more with our compassionate team by calling (02) 9139 0126 📞

21/07/2025

Why emotional regulation can feel extra hard, especially if you’re neurodivergent 🧠

Managing emotions isn’t always easy, and for neurodivergent people, it can feel especially challenging. Here’s why:

🧠 Differences in brain processing: Neurodivergence often means your brain processes sensory input, emotions and stress differently, making feelings more intense or harder to manage.

⚡ Overwhelm from sensory input: Bright lights, loud noises, or crowded spaces can overload your nervous system, triggering strong emotional responses.

⏳ Difficulty shifting focus: When emotions arise, it can be tough to switch gears quickly or calm down, leading to longer-lasting feelings like frustration or anxiety.

💬 Communication barriers: Sometimes, it’s hard to put feelings into words, which can increase stress or lead to feeling misunderstood.

The good news? Understanding these challenges is the first step toward finding strategies that work for you, whether it’s sensory breaks, mindfulness, routines or professional support.

Remember, emotional regulation is a skill, not a flaw. You’re not alone, and with the right tools and support, you can build resilience in your own unique way.

Let our team guide you to the right tools that make sense for you. Call us at (02) 9139 0126 📞 to discover more.

21/07/2025

We are searching for psychologists to join our team! We are offering an opportunity to be a part of something special. A unique independent service in the Illawarra, resourced with highly experienced and passionate clinicians, that will give you potential for long-term career progression. Take a look at our job advert through Seek.com and if you would like to see a position description or talk about the role, don't hesitate to call us!
https://www.seek.com.au/psychologist-jobs/in-Wollongong,-Illawarra-&-South-Coast-NSW?jobId=85906413&type=standard

Find your ideal job at SEEK with 77 Psychologist jobs found in Wollongong, Illawarra & South Coast NSW. View all our Psychologist vacancies now with new jobs added daily!

17/07/2025

What our team wishes every new parent knew 💙

Becoming a new parent is one of life’s biggest adjustments, and it’s okay if it feels overwhelming or different from what you imagined. Our team at Marsden Health wants to remind you that you’re doing an amazing job, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

💙 Give yourself grace, there’s no “perfect” way to parent, and your baby is learning alongside you.
It’s okay to slow down and focus on connection over chores or expectations.

💙 Share how you’re feeling with friends, family, or a professional. Support is here, and you don’t have to carry this alone.

💙 Sometimes, stepping outside for fresh air or a quiet moment can help you both reset.

💙 Let go of the “shoulds” and embrace the messy, beautiful reality of parenting right now.

You are exactly what your baby needs. Take it day by day, and know we’re here to support your family’s unique journey. Need a listening ear or extra support? Reach out through the link in our bio 💬

16/07/2025

Therapy after birth: It’s not just for postnatal depression 💛

Becoming a parent is one of the biggest emotional transitions a person can go through, and not all the challenges that come with it fall neatly into a diagnosis.

Yes, postnatal depression is real and valid. But it’s not the only reason people seek therapy after birth.

You might be:

💛 Replaying a difficult or traumatic birth.
💛 Feeling disconnected from yourself or your baby.
💛 Overwhelmed by rage, anxiety or intrusive thoughts.
💛 Grieving the loss of how you thought it would feel.
💛 Navigating relationship changes, sleep deprivation or identity shifts.

These experiences are more common than you think, and you’re not weak for feeling this way. You’ve been through something huge, and your nervous system, emotions and relationships are all adjusting.

When working with Marsden Health, our perinatal team understands the emotional impact of birth, and we offer gentle, validating support to help you process what’s happened, reconnect with yourself and begin to heal.

You don’t need to “tick all the boxes” to reach out. If something feels off, that’s enough. And we’re here for you through the link in our bio.

14/07/2025

Birth trauma is real, and you are not overreacting, being dramatic or imagining things 💛

For many people, birth doesn't go as expected. Whether it's a difficult delivery, feeling unheard during labour, medical complications, or a sudden loss of control, these experiences can leave lasting emotional and psychological impacts.

At Marsden Health, we deeply understand how birth trauma can affect your nervous system, your relationships, and your sense of self. This kind of trauma deserves the same care and validation as any other, and healing is absolutely possible.

You don’t have to carry this alone. Through trauma-informed therapy, we gently support you in processing your experience at your own pace, helping you reconnect with safety, self-trust and strength.

You are not broken, your story matters, and support is here when you're ready. Call the team at (02) 9139 0126 📞 to start the journey.

10/07/2025

Are things feeling a little tense today? Try balloon belly breathing 🧘‍♀️

This simple technique can help your body shift into a state of peaceful calm. By imagining a balloon slowly inflating and deflating in your belly with each breath, you’re encouraging your nervous system to regulate, bringing more oxygen in and stress out.

It only takes 60 seconds:

🧘‍♀️ Get comfy: sitting, lying down or standing.
🤲 Place one hand on your chest, the other on your belly.
🌬 Inhale through your nose, feeling your belly rise like a balloon.
😮‍💨 Exhale through your mouth, letting it soften and deflate.

This grounding practice takes just a few moments, but it can help settle your body and mind, wherever you are.

Save this post for a moment when you’ll need to check in with yourself.

09/07/2025

You might feel “fine” but your body could be telling a different story 🧠

Stress doesn’t always look like panic or overwhelm. Sometimes, it hides in the places we ignore: tight shoulders, clenched jaws, restless sleep or the constant feeling that we can’t switch off.

These are signs your nervous system may be stuck in overdrive, not because you’re broken, but because your body is doing what it was built to do: protect you.

At Marsden Health, we work with you to gently unwind these patterns, reconnect with your body and build a felt sense of safety, one step at a time.

If you feel ready to move from survival mode into calm, visit our website to learn how our team of experts can support you holistically 💙

07/07/2025

Feeling overwhelmed? Try a gentle reset this Mindfulness Monday 🎧

Instead of pushing through, press play. Create a playlist that matches how you want to feel: calm, focused or energised. Music isn’t just background noise; it’s a powerful emotional anchor that can shift your headspace, soften tension and bring you back to centre.

Whether it's soothing piano, lo-fi beats or your go-to pump-up tracks, let sound guide you back to yourself.

What’s one song that always helps you feel better? Share with someone who might need it in the comments below 🌿