Even on the Sunshine Coast, winter has a way of slowing us down. The mornings are darker, the evenings arrive earlier, and many of us spend more time indoors. While our winters are mild compared with much of the world, it’s surprisingly common to notice anxiety creeping up, motivation dipping, or mood feeling flatter during…
read moreThe school term often begins with fresh routines, sharpened pencils, and good intentions. But by mid-term, many Sunshine Coast parents notice something shifts. Their child becomes more emotional, more defiant, clingier, or suddenly resistant to school. Homework battles increase. Tears arrive over tiny problems. Bedtime becomes a marathon. It can look like “bad behaviour”… but…
read moreSchool mornings on the Sunshine Coast might start with ocean breezes and freshly packed lunches, but for some families, there’s also a familiar knot of worry in the air. While many children feel the occasional “I don’t want to go to school” wobble, persistent school anxiety can affect a child’s wellbeing, relationships, and learning. As…
read moreA Simple Strategy We Often Overlook Living on the Sunshine Coast means being surrounded by natural therapy: beaches, national parks, wildlife, and more sunny days than most of us know what to do with. Anxiety pushes people to head inward, into their minds, their homes, or the nearest doona, rather than outdoors. But research consistently…
read moreOn the Sunshine Coast, movement is woven into daily life… from coastal walks to hinterland hikes and community events like Coastrek. As a clinical psychologist, I often speak with clients about how movement can be used intentionally as part of managing anxiety. Not as a cure-all, but as a powerful, evidence-informed support alongside anxiety therapy.…
read moreOne of the most common questions parents and referrers ask is simple but important: Is this anxiety, or could it be ADHD? In primary school children, anxiety and ADHD often look very similar. Children may struggle to concentrate, avoid tasks, become overwhelmed, or have big emotional reactions. Because of this overlap, anxiety and ADHD are…
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