Author: Adam Szmerling

Does “it” really work? How often do we hear this? “It” carried vast assumptions usually owing to something magical and fast which supposedly bypasses conscious awareness. “Work” also carries assumptions which often involve the notion of a quick fix without any responsibility or effort on the part of the so called hypnotic subject (‘can hypnotherapy […]

Mental health problems are widespread in Australian society. While publicity and awareness about their prevalence and understanding of possible causes continues to grow, stigmas around mental illness remain which can make it difficult for those who suspect they are unwell to speak up about their concerns without feeling embarrassed, ashamed or fearful of being ignored […]

Meditation is a centuries old experience that can help to generate feelings of inner peace and clarity and promote physical relaxation and optimal health. In recent times meditation has been pushed into the spotlight under the umbrella term of mindfulness which has become popular in psychology and counselling circles. Meditation involves bringing your attention firmly […]

We all experience stress and anxiety from time to time, it’s an unavoidable component of living in a global society infused with sophisticated technology and focused on material acquisition that runs at breakneck speed 24 hours a day. How are stress and panic different? However panic attacks and panic disorder are very different from transient […]

Symptoms of Depression Depression is one of the most common mental health problems facing the western world. In Australia, approximately 1 in 5 adults are experiencing depression at any one time. When people hear the word “depression” they typically associate it with what the DSM classify as major depressive disorder. The symptoms associated with depression […]

We live in a world where we are bombarded with images and messages about our bodies. If our bodies don’t look a particular way, there is an implication that there is something fundamentally wrong about ourselves that we should address. If after having a baby we aren’t back in a bikini within a few months, […]

OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder is a crippling and horrific experience. It involves intense anxiety and afflicted individuals often feel ruled by the disorder. OCD includes obsessive or recurrent thoughts, images or impulses which generate psychological unease, fear and worry. Compulsive acts to ward off the psychological disturbance often follow or can occur independently and […]

Have you been phubbed yet today? Have you phubbed someone without realising it? Phubbing refers to an individual using their mobile electronic device either sporadically or continuously when they are in the company of others. Given society’s obsession with facebook, twitter, my space, texting, emailing and instant responding, it’s no wonder this process has been […]

Yes people, especially women, can become dependent on chocolate; but it is important to understand that chocolate is not an addictive substance itself. A dependency on chocolate can occur however, but as a result of more complex combinations of physical and psychological reasons and in the physical, are thought to be more commonly connected to […]

Lots has been written about the catastrophic effects of physical or sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence. There is no doubt these events often leave an individual traumatised and unable to fully function in life, relationships and work. Something characterised as traumatic, for an individual, often occurs retroactively (as meaning is later constructed – or […]