Our next HSC course for Senior Students will be starting on Friday the 29th of July. Over 4 weeks students will learn supportive strategies around; Stress management, Learning and Retention Skills, Motivation, Time Management and Self -Care. Please contact reception on 4324 5400 for more information.

Listen to George Dieter on ‘The Donna Seebo Show’ from Washington, America where he was interviewed last week by Donna about his book ‘I-Power’. Donna hosts a show that is broadcast to 58 countries with a theme of personal empowerment. George and Donna discuss the empowerment that results from understanding and implementing personal boundaries. To listen to this interview choose interview #557, click the box on the right hand side and press ‘play’. Here is a link to the site http://alphagroupusa.com/…/on…/delphi-on-demand-archive.html

To order a copy of ‘I-Power’ please contact the Axiom office on 02 4324 5400.

Axiom Psychological Services will be closed over the holiday seasons. Since holidays can be stressful for some, so please remember that help is available 24/7 from the following organisations.

Axiom was proud and pleased to support the Healthe Care Group’s inaugural Central Coast Mental Health Summit. The summit brought together local business people and mental health professionals to examine the mental health needs on the Central Coast. The summit consisted of two days. Day 1 was a golf day and a dinner dance. The dinner dance was hosted by Gosford Mayor Lawrie McKinna. Speakers were the CC Mariners Head Coach Tony Walmsley and our own Ian Kilpatrick. Ian spoke about the supply of mental health services and the high demand for the services. Funds raised from the golf day and dinner dance went to the Black Dog Insitute

Day 2 was a professional development day with many eminent spekers presenting papers on a range of topics including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and post natal depression. Over $10,000 was raised by Heathe Care to support the Black Dog Institute.

Sandy Gilbert will be holding a Free Wellbeing Workshop to support Mental Health Awareness Month on Thursday the 22nd October from 10:30am – 12:00pm at the East Gosford clinic (cnr of Brougham St and Central Coast Hwy, East Gosford). This workshop will look at ways to increase wellbeing in day to day life and explore strategies to cope with the effects of depression and anxiety. Registration is essential as places are limited for this workshop. Please call 4324 5400 to reserve your place.

George’s new book, ‘I- Power The Freedom to Be Me’ is out!

We all too often look for happiness and contentment via relationships, success and recognition – all things that lie outside ourselves. Underpinned by Boundary Theory, this book illustrates why this approach is actually at the heart of why we end up experiencing unhappiness and discontent. By learning to approach life with a boundary focus, we discover that nobody can ‘make’ us feel or do anything; only we are responsible for how we feel.

We also become able to switch our rational brain on, and our emotional brain off, when making decisions or facing challenges. And we are far better placed to minimise stress. By implementing boundaries so that we take responsibility only for ourselves, we will find ourselves able to lessen interpersonal conflict, and greatly enhance our feelings of contentment, fulfilment and balance.

George Dieter has a Masters degree in the psychology of coaching, a Masters degree in psychology, and a law degree. George is one of the principal psychologist’s at Axiom Psychological Services. George has presented papers at national and international conferences, as well as authoring a publication on issues confronting the juvenile justice system.

You can purchase a copy of George’s book at the clinic at East Gosford or online at leading book sellers.

Axiom Psychological Services will be holding a Free Wellbeing Workshop from 1:00pm – 2:30pm on Thursday the 9^th July at the East Gosford clinic.

This workshop will look at ways to increase wellbeing in day to day life and explore strategies to cope with the effects of depression and anxiety.

Registration is essential as places are limited for this workshop.

Please call 4324 5400 to reserve your place.

Schizophrenia is a condition characterised by disturbances in a person’s thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour.  It affects approximately one in every 100 people worldwide and commonly begins in adolescence or early adulthood.  Schizophrenia is probably not a single disease, rather a cluster of diseases, which have overlapping signs and symptoms.  It is therefore important to acknowledge the unique experience of each person living with schizophrenia.

While schizophrenia can be a devastating illness for the people who experience it as well as for their families, it is important to recognise that there is hope.  Treatments, both medical and psychosocial, are becoming more effective.  Recently introduced early intervention programs are demonstrating encouraging outcomes for people with early psychosis and the concerns of consumers and their carers, such as those relating to empowerment and quality of life, are being increasingly recognised.

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with few generalisations holding true for all people diagnosed.  In practice, there appears to be as many forms of schizophrenia as there are individuals experiencing the illness.

Visit Axiom’s facebook page to see an article about what it is like living with schizophrenia.

Following the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukuman by the Indonesian Government psychologists warn that many people may be significantly emotionally effected.

Principal psychologists of Axiom Psychological Services Ian Kilpatrick and George Dieter say that very few people will be left untouched by the executions. There is likely to be a wide range of emotions from sadness, and grief to irritation and open anger.

In many ways the executions of these two men is special to us, because even though only a relatively few people have had actual contact with them all Australians have come to know then and through the media developed a close if vicarious relationship with them. “We have watched and witnessed their stories unfold in front of us – from perceived bad drug trafficking young men to transformed, devout, caring young men with much to offer society. We have been touched by their rehabilitation and the stories of their families, friends and even legal advisers. We have witnessed the profound distress of their families and loved ones” said Mr Kilpatrick and Mr Dieter. “On the other hand we have at the same time observed the hard lined, uncaring and unforgiving actions of the Indonesian Government. To most Australians the Indonesian legal system appears to be at best confusing, irrational and perhaps even corrupt.”  

To many Australians executions do not make much sense, but the Chan & Sukumaran case is even more difficult to understand.

Mr Kilpatrick and Mr Dieter who are experienced in dealing with the psychological effects of trauma said it is better to allow people to appropriately express their emotions. Physical exercise such as a good walk is recommended. To assist with coping with grief donating to a suitable charity either money or time can be helpful.

For some people Chan/ Sukumaran grief may refresh previous traumatic experiences. Professional help is available in many ways for people really struggling. GP’s are skilled in this area, many organisations have professional counselling supports and most schools have skilled school counsellors.  Professional registered psychologists are also able to help people deal with the reality of the situation.

The human cost of war is staggering and World War I was by far Australia’s most costly war. From a population of less than five million, more than 320,000 Australians served overseas during the conflict. Around 155,000 were wounded; 60,000 died. Many who returned from this and later wars had terrible physical injuries but many more had unseen and unrecognised psychological wounds. These wounds are the often unseen costs of war and can be experienced through the generations that follow a great war. Many people experience fear, anxiety, bereavement, shock and other forms of psychological trauma that do not end when they return home. PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a diagnosable and treatable condition.

Ian Kilpatrick, Principal Psychologist at Axiom Psychological & Coaching Services said “ANZAC Day can be a difficult time for many people as they talk about and remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice or those people who have been injured.”  According to Beyond Blue in any one year about 1 million Australians experience PTSD and some 12% will experience it in their lifetime. Mr Kilpatrick said “Whilst Returning Service men and women have a high risk of developing PTSD other active service people such as police, fire officers and paramedics also have a high risk of becoming symptomatic. Other known causes are natural disasters such as bush fires and floods as well as serious accidents or incidents.” Common symptoms include a feeling of intense fear or hopelessness, flashbacks, being overly alert or wound up. Avoiding reminders of the event such as not watching certain television shows, or not visiting certain locations are other non-productive strategies people with PTSD use to avoid painful memories.

If you or someone you know does experience painful emotions and struggle to cope around this time of remembrance you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Beyond Blue (www.beyondblue.org.au) has helpful information.

For more information please contact Axiom Psychological Services on 4324 5400.