Navigating Work-Related Mental Health Challenges

In today's fast-paced world, the intricate relationship between mental health and the workplace is increasingly recognized. From the stressors of everyday tasks to the lasting impact of traumatic incidents, our mental well-being is deeply intertwined with our professional lives.

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At Tonic Psychology, we are committed to providing specialized support for individuals grappling with mental health conditions arising from work-related physical injury, trauma, and stress. Join us as we delve into how you can find healing, reclaim happiness, and support you to reintegrate into the workplace.

Understanding the Connection

It's not uncommon for work-related challenges to take a toll on our mental health. Whether it's coping with physical injury or chronic pain stemming from workplace incidents, processing trauma experienced on the job, or managing the strain of workplace stress, the impact on our psychological well-being can be profound. This intricate connection necessitates a holistic approach that acknowledges the interplay between physical and mental health.

Tailored Support for Healing

At Tonic Psychology, we believe that healing begins with a personalized approach. Our experienced psychologists employ evidence-based therapies, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to address the unique challenges faced by individuals dealing with work-related mental health concerns.

For those contending with physical injury or pain arising from work, our approach integrates psychological support with pain management strategies. By focusing on both the body and mind, we empower individuals to manage their conditions while fostering resilience.

Recovering from Workplace Trauma

Workplace trauma can leave deep emotional scars that impact various facets of our lives. Our trauma-informed therapists at Tonic Psychology provide a safe haven for individuals to process their experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and embark on a journey towards healing. Through compassionate guidance and proven therapeutic techniques, we help individuals rebuild their sense of security and strength.

Equipping for Workplace Resilience

The modern workplace can often be a breeding ground for stress and anxiety. Our tailored treatments are designed to equip individuals with the tools needed to manage workplace stress effectively. By enhancing resilience, teaching stress reduction techniques, and promoting a balanced work-life equilibrium, we empower individuals to not just survive, but thrive in their professional environments.

Returning to the Workplace

At Tonic Psychology, our mission goes beyond symptom management. We are dedicated to helping individuals reclaim their vitality. Our holistic approach nurtures personal health and happiness, supporting you on your return to work journey to the workplace with renewed energy and empowerment.

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How Sports Psychology Can Help You Reach Your Peak Performance

Whether you're an elite athlete or just someone who enjoys playing sports, sports psychology with Tonic Psychology can help you reach your peak performance. The specialist sports psychologists here at Tonic Psychology use a variety of techniques to help athletes improve their mental skills, such as focus, concentration, goal-setting, and coping with pressure.

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There are many benefits to working with a sports psychologist. Some of the most common benefits include:

How Does Sports Psychology Work?

Sports psychology is a relatively new field, but it has been growing in popularity in recent years. There are a number of different techniques that sports psychologists use, but some of the most common include:

Who Can Benefit from Sports Psychology?

Sports psychology can benefit athletes of all ages and skill levels. However, it is especially beneficial for athletes who are struggling with performance anxiety, lack of confidence, or other mental blocks. Sports psychology can also be helpful for athletes who are recovering from an injury or who are trying to improve their overall mental well-being.

How to Find a Sports Psychologist

If you are interested in working with a sports psychologist, there are a few things you can do to find one. First, you can ask your doctor or coach for a referral. You can also search online for sports psychologists in your area. When you are choosing a sports psychologist, be sure to find one who is qualified and experienced. Here at Tonic Psychology we have qualified, specialist professionals in sports psychology to support you.

Sports psychology is a valuable tool that can help athletes reach their peak performance. If you are an athlete who is struggling with mental blocks or who wants to improve your overall mental well-being, working with a sports psychologist can be a great way to achieve your goals.

To learn more about how sports psychology at Tonic Psychology can help you reach your peak performance, contact us today.

Why Have An Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

As an employer, you want your employees to be happy, healthy, and productive. One way to achieve this goal is by offering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Tonic Psychology. An EAP provides employees with confidential access to professional counselling, support, and resources that can help them cope with personal and work-related issues. Here are some of the benefits of implementing an EAP with Tonic Psychology in your workplace.

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Improved Employee Health and Wellbeing

An EAP can help your employees improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. Employees may face challenges in their personal lives or workplace, such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, and trauma. The confidential counselling services provided through an EAP can help employees address these issues and get the support they need to cope.

Reduced Absenteeism and Increased Productivity

Employees who are struggling with personal or work-related issues may have trouble focusing on their work, leading to decreased productivity and increased absenteeism. By providing employees with access to an EAP, employers can help employees manage their personal and work-related issues and improve their productivity at work.

At Tonic Psychology, our EAP services can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your employees and organisation. Our registered psychologists provide high-quality counselling services, as well as a range of other support services, including conflict resolution, trauma counselling, critical incident debriefing, and more.

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Improved Employee Satisfaction and Retention

Employees who feel supported by their employer are more likely to be satisfied with their job and remain with the company long-term. An EAP shows employees that their employer cares about their wellbeing and is willing to invest in their health and happiness. This can lead to improved employee satisfaction and retention rates.

Demonstrates Corporate Social Responsibility

Implementing an EAP in your workplace demonstrates your company's commitment to corporate social responsibility. By investing in the health and wellbeing of your employees, you are showing that your company values the people who make your organisation successful.

Overall, an EAP with Tonic Psychology can benefit both employers and employees. By providing employees with access to confidential counselling services and other support resources, employers can improve employee health and wellbeing, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity, improve employee satisfaction and retention rates, and demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility. If you are interested in implementing an EAP with Tonic Psychology, contact us to learn more about our tailored EAP services.

Mental Health and Christmas

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration. It’s an opportunity to spend time with loved ones, give thanks for what we have, and remember what matters most. On the other hand, Christmas can also bring up some painful memories for people who have been through difficult times in their lives or with their families.

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If you are a part of a broken family or are estranged from your family, Christmas time can be a serious trigger. While the advertising and “festive cheer” that seems to propagate the general public during the month of December can’t be avoided, focusing our time and energy on making a new meaning for Christmas, one that is aligning with our values can often be helpful. Here are some tips on how to do that:

  1. Write a big list of everything you like about Christmas. It could be the food, the presents, the colours, the carols etc. Once this is done, brainstorm ways in which you could incorporate them into your Christmas. Here are some examples:
    1. I love the food! But being estranged means I can’t have that big feast. Solution: Invite a few friends over close to Christmas and ask everyone to bring a dish.
    2. I love the carols. Solution: Visit the local council Christmas carols or have a night in and watch on tv! Make a favourite drink, have your favourite snacks, wear comfy clothes and you’re all set!
  2. Donate to a charity or volunteer. There are many organisations that would appreciate it!
  3. If you have a friend who invites you to their home for Christmas, consider taking them up on their offer. Whilst it can feel uncomfortable it does mean that you have people present around you should you feel vulnerable or need support.
  4. Stay in an Airbnb over Christmas. While there, do something that keeps you away from the commercialism of Christmas such as going for a hike/bushwalk (be sure to inform someone of your route), going to a beach, visiting antique shops etc.

If you know someone who is a part of a broken family or is estranged from their family, here are some tips on how to approach the topic of Christmas with them:

  1. Be conscious of how you talk about your Christmas plans. Whilst it is completely understandable to feel excited about your plans, it can be helpful to empathise when we’re expressing our excitement by putting ourselves in the other’s shoes. It can be disheartening to those who don’t have plans with family to hear friends boast about their Christmas plans.
  2. Ask them how they are feeling as Christmas approaches. That’s right folks, talking about our feelings is not taboo! It is likely the person being asked will greatly appreciate the time taken to check-in. When they answer, be sure to listen! It’s not so much about providing solutions, but really understanding where they are coming from.
  3. Send them a Christmas card in the mail. This is typically a well-received gesture that isn’t too full on. It’s a way to say you’re thinking of them during this time.
  4. Organise a Christmas catchup. This can involve something as simple as going for coffee. This gives the person a chance to still celebrate what Christmas means to them, with a person they feel comfortable with.

 

Remember, not everyone spends Christmas with their family. It may be hard for a few days, but you can get through it and are not alone.

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Parenting Support: Find the Help You Need

Parenting is a challenging but rewarding experience. However, it can also be stressful, especially when you are facing difficult challenges. If you are feeling overwhelmed as a parent, counselling can help.

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What is Parents Counselling?

Parent counselling is a type of therapy that helps parents deal with the challenges of parenting. Counsellors can help parents to:

Why Should Parents Seek Counselling?

There are many reasons why parents might seek counselling. Some of the most common reasons include:

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How Can Tonic Psychology Help?

Tonic Psychology offers counselling for parents in Melbourne and Sydney. Our experienced counsellors are trained to help parents with a wide range of parenting issues. We offer a confidential and supportive environment where parents can talk about their concerns and get the help they need.

What to Expect

When you first come to Tonic Psychology, we will meet with you to discuss your concerns and goals for counselling. We will then develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs.

Our treatment plans typically involve a combination of individual and family counselling. We may also recommend other resources, such as support groups or educational programs.

Our Approach to Parents Counselling and Psychology

We believe that every parent is unique, and we tailor our approach to each parent's individual needs. We also believe that the family is an important part of the healing process, and we involve the family in our treatment plans whenever possible.

Our Commitment

We are committed to helping parents thrive. We believe that every parent deserves to feel supported and empowered. We will work with you to help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be the best parent you can be.

How Employee Assistance Programs Can Improve Your Workplace

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes. They offer confidential counseling and support to employees who are struggling with personal or work-related issues. EAPs can help to improve employee morale, productivity, and overall well-being.

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There are many benefits to offering an EAP to your employees. Some of the most common benefits include:

In addition to these general benefits, EAPs can also help to address specific workplace issues. For example, EAPs can be used to help employees who are struggling with addiction, mental health problems, or work-life balance issues.

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How to Choose an EAP

There are many different EAP providers available, so it is important to choose one that is right for your business. When choosing an EAP, you should consider the following factors:

EAPs are a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes. They can help to improve employee morale, productivity, and overall well-being. If you are considering offering an EAP to your employees, Tonic Psychology based on Melbourne and Sydney can be of assistance!

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To learn more about how EAPs can benefit your business, visit our website or contact us today.

Emotional Regulation

Emotion regulation refers to the ability to manage and control our emotions in healthy and adaptive ways. The opposite of emotion regulation is emotion suppression which happens when individuals seek to push uncomfortable feelings and thoughts out of the mind.

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Why is emotion regulation important?

When we’re feeling excited, we might want to feel a little less excited and instead more focused; when we’re feeling angry, we might want to feel less angry and more relaxed. Regulating our emotions is about finding a balance between how you feel in the moment and what you want your experience of that emotion to be; emotions essentially drive behaviour. The goal is not to “get rid” of emotions because they ultimately serve a very helpful purpose, but rather to maximise our experiences of our emotions; in other words, effectively use our emotions.

It’s important to regulate your emotions because the alternative i.e., suppression, leads to long-term difficulty in how we relate to ourselves, and others. When we suppress our emotions we don’t build any skill in our ability to cope with difficult emotions and we can fall into the trap of displacement which involves diverting feelings in an unhelpful way. For example, dumping angry feelings that were suppressed earlier in the day onto your colleagues by yelling at them for small mistakes. When we can effectively regulate our emotions, we are less likely to experience negative psychological states such as anxiety, depression and stress.

How to regulate our emotions

Self-awareness

To effectively regulate our emotions, it can be helpful to begin by reflecting on how our emotions trigger us, specifically, trigger us to act, trigger us to inhibit and trigger us to manage. We may find we feel excited when we have something planned after work, which may trigger the action of unproductivity that day in the office. We may find we feel angry because the vending machine malfunctioned and inhibit the act of kicking the machine. We may find we feel anxious in the lead-up to a big presentation and find that we are having to manage by talking to a trusted person and taking long, deep breaths. The process of emotion regulation needs self-reflection to be effective.

Re-appraisal

This skill is essentially placing focus on coping with negative emotions by altering the way we think. By altering how we think, we are more likely to accept our subjective reality, albeit it a difficult one. Let’s use an example where you made a mistake at work and your boss becomes noticeably annoyed. We can replace thoughts like “my boss hates me,” “I have no worth here anymore” etc., with alternatives such as “my boss is upset at the moment, I am sure I can make up for this”, or “I know I am good at my job, everybody makes mistakes”. Chances are the feelings you had once been feeling might shift a little. This is the act of emotion regulation.

Outlets

A great and often easy way to regulate our emotions is to release them! In safe and positive ways of course. Journalling (on paper or virtually) talking to a trusted person, painting, exercising etc. The idea behind these outlets is you’re doing something with your emotions rather than keeping them stagnant inside. It also shows you notice what you’re feeling and are acknowledging the emotions.

At Tonic Psychology we have psychologists that can guide you to build these emotion regulation skills. We want to help you build a more effective relationship with your emotions because they are so important! Book an appointment today or visit our website for more information.

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Understanding Narcissism

Narcissism is a mental state characterised by an inflated sense of self and an innate need for external validation. The well-being of others often comes last on the narcissist’s priority list; despite outwardly showing otherwise, which can often cause strain on their relationships. A narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) diagnosis may be warranted in severe cases.

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The narcissistic family structure

A narcissistic family structure typically involves a parent having an inflated sense of self-importance and a deep need for control and admiration. In this kind of family, the parent often manipulates and emotionally abuses their children to maintain their self-esteem. There may be overt ways in which this is achieved, for example, obvious one-upmanship, but there can also be covert ways, for example, gaslighting. There are several roles that children in a narcissistic family may take on, including the scapegoat, the golden child, and the enabler.   

The Scapegoat

The scapegoat is the child that typically is most aware of the dysfunction in the family, and is likely the one who tries to speak out or seek help. Unfortunately, this makes them the target of narcissistic abuse and often involves being blamed by the narcissistic parent for all that goes wrong in the family. This child is often punished the most, may experience feeling as though they don’t have a voice, and may be made to feel worthless.

The golden child

Where the scapegoat is the target of anger and criticism, the golden child is the target of praise and adoration. In most cases, the golden child can do no wrong, their successes are celebrated, and their failures are ignored or blamed on the scapegoat. The golden child is typically the one who is most loyal to the narcissistic parent and may even support the happy family image or support the status of the narcissistic parent.

The enabler

The enabler is the child and, in some cases, the other parent, who helps the narcissistic parent maintain their false sense of superiority. The enabler may do things like lie to protect the narcissistic parent or minimise the abuse that is happening within the family. The enabler may also try to keep the peace in the family by not “rocking the boat” or challenging the parent’s behaviour.

Impact

These roles can be damaging for the children who take them on. The scapegoat may develop low self-esteem and self-hatred, while the golden child may have a distorted sense of self-worth. The enabler may have difficulty setting boundaries and may struggle to assert themselves in relationships.

A way forward

It is important for anyone who has grown up in a narcissistic family to not tackle it alone. Seeking support can bring a sense of reassurance and validation and can often be the first step in the healing journey from narcissistic abuse. Here at Tonic Psychology, we offer support to those suffering from such abuse and assist in establishing boundaries, regaining control, and rebuilding esteem.

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Couples Counselling & Relationship Support :

Relationships can give us the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. People in relationships usually face some strain as they attempt to navigate the world together, and when the negotiations of sharing living spaces and everyday responsibilities come into play it can create emotional challenges for individuals.

While it is common for relationships to have their ‘ups and downs’, and for conflict to occur in varying degrees, sometimes problems that emerge are more dysfunctional and life draining.

Relationship problems, breakdowns, and separations are a common trigger for seeking therapy. This could be the result of problems such as parenting differences, financial stress, sexual problems, infidelity, inequality, clashing of values, emotional disconnection, or a build-up of resentment just to name a few. At times, these issues are best addressed in couples counselling, where both parties have an equal presence in therapy and work collaboratively together with the guidance of a therapist.

In other circumstances, therapy may be more valuable for individuals in the relationship. This may be more relevant to those who find relationships particularly triggering and an ongoing source of distress in their lives, nonspecific to the current relationship. For example, individuals suffering the effects of an abusive, unstable, unloving, or chaotic upbringing may have trouble navigating adult relationships. This is because difficult attachments in childhood have the potential to activate our most primal fears – abandonment, mistrust, abuse, or feeling neglected. If such childhood issues have been left unresolved, there is a higher potential for these strong emotions to be activated again in intimate relationships.

Difficulties responding to these strong emotions effectively may lead into unhealthy behaviours in relationships, such as:

·       Acting in a possessive, overly jealous, or controlling manner

·       Becoming preoccupied by fears and insecurities that your partner doesn’t love you

·       Acting on insecurities by seeking constant reassurance

·       Flipping between devaluing the relationship, and threatening to leave

·       Avoiding sex, intimacy, or conflict in relationships

·       Externalising blame towards your partner

At Tonic Psychology, our psychologists are trained to provide therapy which promotes healing from the past, whilst building an understanding about your coping styles in relationships, whether you want to seek therapy for relationship issues in a couple or as an individual setting – they are here to help.

Our psychologists also aim to build upon healthy strategies to enrich your current relationships rather than repeat old life-draining patterns of behaviour. They can focus on what is truly in your control and reframe your understanding about what contribution ‘your stuff’ has towards your relationship problems. Your stuff becomes our psychologists’ stuff, where they aim to help you with your relationship challenges and can assist you with a range of techniques and strategies to strengthen yourself as an individual which will benefit your relationship in the long-term.

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Building Resilience

According to the definition from the American Psychological Association (APA), Resilience refers to both the process and the outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. “It’s your ability to withstand adversity and bounce back and grow despite life’s downturns,” says  Amit Sood, MD, the executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-Being and the creator of the Resilient Option program. 

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What is resilience?

According to the definition from the American Psychological Association (APA), Resilience refers to both the process and the outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences. “It’s your ability to withstand adversity and bounce back and grow despite life’s downturns,” says  Amit Sood, MD, the executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Well-Being and the creator of the Resilient Option program. 

Resilience and Wellbeing  

Many people from different walks of life experience challenges and stress at different stages of their life. Stress is a natural response to any difficult or threatening event or a situation. Eustress and distress are different kinds of stress. Distress, as most of us are aware can be difficult and can cause negative impact on our wellbeing. But stress is not always a bad thing. Eustress is positive and can be manageable and motivating. Many times, eustress can turn into distress and there, resilience comes into play - like how we deal with the distress and turn it into eustress so that we are productive and not burnout and live meaningful lives even when the stress persists.

However, over time, due ongoing distress people may find difficulty to handle stress and cope with it effectively which can cause negative impact on our wellbeing and quality of life. According to one of the studies, resilience is negatively correlated to negative indicators of mental health such as depression, anxiety, and negative affect, and positively correlated to positive indicators of mental health such as life satisfaction and positive emotions (Hu et al.,2015). 

Resilience will not fix the problems, but it can help to enhance our ability to respond to difficult situations and handle stress effectively.    

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Let us look at some of the ways to develop resilience:

Relaxation: Practicing relaxation strategies including breathing exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness. It slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and reduces levels of stress hormones. It can help you bounce back a little faster and prepare you for the next day. 

Social connectedness: Developing positive relationships with loved ones, family, colleagues and in the community. There is an emerging literature on how social support and the neurobiological pathways act to foster resilience and reduce the risk for developing mental health concerns.

Values: Developing alignment between your values and your goals and actions to live a meaningful life. Being aligned with your values can make you feel purposeful, happy and increase your flexibility, adaptability and ability to bounce back. 

Helpful thinking: Identifying if the thoughts associated with an event or situation are helpful or unhealthy and unhelpful. Restructuring your thoughts by thinking if there is any other way to think about the situation that can help in reducing stress levels. 

Building resilience takes time and practice. But if you are struggling, it is important to seek professional support.