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Exploring Mental Wellness with Sam Osmond: A Counsellor’s Approach Meet Your New Counsellor: My Approach to Mental Wellness I’m Sam Osmond, a Clinical Counsellor and Psychotherapist here at CQ Psych Services. My approach to counselling is centred on an empowering idea: shifting our perspective from seeking help only when we’re feeling overwhelmed, to actively engaging…

The Power of Deep Breathing: A Simple Tool for Calming the Nervous System One of the most commonly used techniques for managing stress and anxiety is diaphragmatic breathing – often referred to as Belly Breathing. While it sounds simple enough, this breathing technique has a profound impact on the nervous system, helping to shift us…

How to Set and Achieve Goals Whether they’re big or small, short-term or long-term, goals are a hugely important part of the human experience. Without any kind of goal to work towards, people can often find themselves in a rut where they are aimlessly drifting through life with no sense of direction or control. On…

A Day in the Life of a Provisional Psychologist in Private Practice Working in a private practice, I get to complete a range of interesting, challenging and unique tasks in my role as a provisional psychologist. Some of these include: Administering and scoring psychometric assessments Researching and evaluating various diagnoses Liasing with third parties, such…

Back to School Whether it is your child’s first time or they are returning for another year, going to school can be an anxious time for both the child and their parents. The first weeks can set the stage for the rest of the child’s academic experience. As a parent we can do a lot…

Tips from a Psych: Starting the School Year (as a Parent) It’s that time of year again. You remember it from when you were back at school, right? The nerves, the excitement… or perhaps it was dread. The beginning of the school year can be really tough. If you’re a parent, then you’re guiding your…

Maintaining Normality for Children During the Holiday Season: A Guide to Supporting Their Mental Health The holiday season can be a magical time for families, but for many, it can also bring stress, disruption, and overstimulation. While adults are often caught up in holiday preparations, children may struggle with the break in routine, heightened expectations,…

Making Sure You’re Leaving Work… At Work Let’s be honest… we all know work can be stressful at times, and if we’re not careful, we can bring that stress home with us. If you struggle to switch off your “Work Brain” when you get home, this can cause you a range of different problems, including…

Surviving Christmas Alone: A Guide to Protecting Your Mental Health Christmas is often seen as a time of joy, laughter, and family gatherings. But for many, the holidays can feel lonely, especially when spent alone. Whether you’re separated from loved ones by distance, circumstances, or personal choice, it’s important to prioritise your mental health and…

How to Improve Your Childs School Attendance Supporting a child who is struggling with school attendance or exhibiting school refusal can be a challenging and emotional experience for both parents and children. School refusal is often linked to anxiety, emotional distress, or other underlying issues, and it’s crucial to approach the situation with empathy and…