Psychologist on Skype in Darwin – Narelle Stratford

Hello and welcome to Live Life 2 The Max! 

Check out Acrophobia - the Fear of Heights

on Radio 4BC (1116)

Narelle will speak on Brisbane Radio 4BC on 1116 on Fears and Phobias, this Wednesday 16th May. The topic is Acrophobia at approximately 12:45pm Queensland time.  Listen in, if you can make it. 

You can also call, SMS or email your questions or thoughts to 4BC:

Ph: 13 13 32
SMS: 0427 13 13 32
Email: afternoon @ 4bc.com.au  (Remove the spaces before and after @, spaces have been inserted so that automatic spamming software doesn’t pick up the email address and spam them.)

Last week, I spoke on Galeophobia, the Fear of Sharks
and the post is coming soon. 

Take a look at: General Fears & Phobias or Overcoming Panic Attacks.

News!

Call Mob: 0412 251 196 or Skype Number 07 3040 2322 to schedule an appointment with Narelle either in Darwin or via Skype. 

You are still welcome to complete the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Survey and I hope you will read the blog posts and pages as there is a lot of interesting information.   

Psychology Focus

Depression, eating disorders, obesity, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and relationship counselling and enhancement.   

Depression is usually associated with all of those conditions, and if someone is depressed, or has an eating disorder, or is obese, or in pain, or has PTSD, then this may very well impact on relationships.   

What happens when you go and see a psychologist?

Assessment and understanding of the situation is the first step for psychologists.  Without a thorough assessment there is no way to objectively define progress.  Sometimes people find that when they start something new, they aren’t always consistent in applying strategies and techniques and may lose motivation, or not have much energy to begin with… 

Interestingly, that sounds like someone experiencing depression.  It may be hard to stay focussed and follow through. Life sometimes gets in the road yet there may be other factors at stake. I often hear clients say “I’m lazy” and they are not lazy, they are depressed. There is a big difference. 

Client Support

So, to help overcome that lack of motivation, and to give clients support, accountability, inspiration and encouragement, there is an email series of 18 emails which is only for clients.  

These emails have links to informative tip sheets and will keep the reader updated and educated, particularly on depression, stress and anxiety.  There are also handouts of easy and practical techniques that will be covered in your visits.  

Videos and Audios

Not everyone learns the same way, so there are videos to watch (topics include Cognitive Therapy, deep breathing, etcetera) and there are MP3 audios for clients to download and use daily.  

Audio Files:

  • Clean Air Breather (Stop Smoking)

  • Sleep Like a Baby Tonight

  • Stay Slim Now

  • Relax Now

  • Mindfulness Meditation

  • Deep Breathing

Videos

  • Deep Breathing

  • Cognitive Therapy – Cognitive Distortions

  • Language harms or helps you – Mind Your Language

If you would like to purchase the audio files
or the From Stress 2 Peace video, please call me to arrange this.

There is also a wonderful Musical Learnings mp3 which you can download, so generously provided by Brendan Confaloniere. Musical Learnings is exactly that!  Positive affirming statements sung to music, to really put uplifting messages into your subconscious mind. 

The monthly Live it Up eNewsletter (easy signup with Facebook login, on the right) has a feature article which is usually based on something to do with mental health, mental disorders, goal setting, communication, hypnosis or psychology! Plus, you’ll love reading Master’s Wisdom (especially if you are a cat lover ‘cos Master is my big Tabby cat who rules at home) and book reviews, or recipes or other home tips. 

The Daily Delights information is to keep clients focussed and “How to Cope Between Sessions” provides information on what to do between sessions. 

While you are a client, all of these supports are provided free of charge and have no strings attached.    

I’d love to post testimonials here but it is against the Code of Ethics for Psychologists.  

Why see a Psychologist?

Perhaps you are uncertain if you need to see a psychologist, or someone else?  Psychologists have been trained (from 4 to 6 years at university and in the field) in the science of human behaviour, personality, interpersonal relationships, learning and motivation. A Life Coach or Personal Coach has completed a course ranging from 3 weeks to a year’s part-time study, by comparison. 

What does a Psychologist do?

In the health field, psychologists help individuals to enjoy and positively enhance their life by assisting in the management and treatment of mental health disorders as well as less serious events or issues.  Psychologists do this by providing psychological education and skills to individuals, couples or families to assist in functioning better from a cognitive behavioural perspective, and to prevent problems. 

Psychologist Narelle Stratford, may also take on the roles of educator, coach or counsellor to assist individuals with other life issues such as those that occur in the workplace, sporting arena, at home or within a relationship, career choices or change, or relocation. 

Qualifications

Narelle is a registered psychologist, Clinical Hypnotist, Master Practitioner NLP, Timeline & Hypnosis, and has completed a 100 hr Hypnosis and Psychotherapy Course. 

Time to Assess Symptoms - Depressed, Anxious or Stressed?

Because many people are unaware that they are heading towards a depressed state or that they are already in depression, everyone is encouraged to complete the free Depression, Anxiety and Stress Survey (DASS), and with absolutely no obligation.  The DASS will provide baseline measures but it in no way replaces a full assessment and diagnosis by a psychologist. 

The DASS gives an indication of how you are going. It only measures the past 7 days, and it is necessary to have a full psychological assessment to determine whether or not you have a mood disorder such as a Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder or any other disorder.  The DASS is quick and easy to complete, just tick a box for each answer. 

Depression Linked to Other Mental Health and Health Problems

You might not be aware that depression also accompanies anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and may also be associated with pain, other health issues and obesity. Australia is currently the third fattest country in the world and a quarter of our children are overweight, so it is important to tackle this problem head-on. 

Anxiety or Panic Disorder may also accompany eating disorders as there can be a highly developed need for perfection, and also a need for control. The research shows that there is a similarity in the thinking (cognition) styles of those who suffer Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Anorexia. 

Feel free to complete the complimentary Depression, Anxiety and Stress Survey and receive your confidential results by email or phone.  It’s completely free of charge and there are no strings attached. I am providing this service because the World Health Organisation states that by the year 2020, depression will be the second largest cause of global suffering and disability.  We need to do everything we can to get this statistic down. 

Do browse the site to get an idea of what is available, and click on the Issues Tab to find out all of the conditions that are treated.  The eNewsletters are all archived and you will find information and helpful suggestions on many of them.