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V O L 4 • I S S U E 4 • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2
Couple Therapy
Many couples find it difficult to explore and resolve
issues in their relationships - particularly when
faced with stressful life events, such as job loss,
health concerns, relocation etc. Couple therapy
involves looking at patterns of relating, and uses
healthy communication tools to allow couples to
gain a deeper understanding of one another and
to accept each other’s differences. There is a focus
on encouraging the expression of individual needs,
whilst nurturing the couple relationship.
Choosing to engage in couple therapy is a
courageous first step towards a healthier, more
fulfilling relationship for both parties.
Perinatal Services
For most women, becoming a mother is a significant life adjustment and around one in ten Australian women are affected by depression and/or anxiety during the perinatal period (from pregnancy through to the end of the first year following childbirth).
Perinatal psychological therapy can help mothers to manage everyday stress, to feel more connected to their baby and to improve unhelpful thoughts, feelings and ways of relating to other people.
If you would like further information on Couple
Therapy or Perinatal Services - or to book an
appointment - please contact the Sydney Child
Psychology Centre on 9960 1222
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
NEW SERVICES
P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S
Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au
IN THIS ISSUE• Principal’s message• New services• How to build a healthy parent-child relationship• How to manage cyber safety• Facts about Attention Deficit Disorder• Parenting resources• The importance of reading to children• Medicare information
The closest carpark is accessible via Raglan Street, which is connected to Military Road via a laneway known as “The Passage”. When you reach our door, just buzz Suite 3 to come up for your appointment.
It’s been a busy year for us at the Sydney Child Psychology Centre. We are continuing to grow at a rapid pace and
have become one of the leading psychology practices on Sydney’s North Shore.
We are pleased to announce that we have expanded our services to ensure we offer comprehensive psychological
programs for the entire family - specifically for mothers, infants and couples - with the introduction of couple
therapy and perinatal services.
Earlier this year we welcomed two new staff members to our practice. Kathryn Knights is a registered psychologist
and perinatal and infant mental health specialist. She provides a range of assessment and treatment services
at the centre and is passionate about supporting parents in their most important role. Wendy Brown is a registered
psychologist and couple and family therapist and has extensive experience supporting couples and families
who wish to improve the quality of their relationships. We are thrilled to welcome Wendy and Kathryn to our team.
To help process Medicare rebates for our patients, in a faster and more efficient way, we recently launched
the Medicare Easyclaim system in our practice. You will find more information on this new service on the back
page of this newsletter.
As always, we welcome any feedback you may have – questions, queries
and concerns can be emailed to: [email protected]
Warm regards
Dr. Fiona Martin
PRACTICE INFORMATIONPsychologists:Dr Fiona Martin – MAPS Dr Fiona Aldridge – MAPS Dr Fiona McGuigan – MAPS Dr Katherine Schmidhofer – MAPS Mr Patrick Bryant – MAPS Ms Elizabeth Harvey – Assoc MAPS Ms Wendy Brown – Assoc MAPS Ms Leila Wearing – Assoc MAPS Ms Kathryn Knights – Assoc MAPS
Early Intervention Therapists:Ms Clare Williams Ms Stephanie Drake Ms Alysha Aubin Ms Krista Zamboldi
Practice Manager: Michele Newman
Appointment times:Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pmEvening appointments available for couple therapySat 9.00am – 4.00pmParking:
P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S
Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au
How to build a healthy parent-child relationship
In her book, Connected Parenting, family therapist Jennifer Kolari encourages
parents to become more emotionally attuned to their kids. Kolari believes
that correcting and guiding children’s behaviour works best when the parent
operates from a position of openness, kindness and empathy – rather than from
a position of anger and frustration.
Kolari explains that we are best placed to help children develop skills
to manage their own behaviour when we, as parents, meet their emotional
needs. She believes that a tough, heavy-handed approach to discipline
usually exacerbates cycles of misbehaviour and escalates anxiety.
The Connected Parenting philosophy aims to teach parents ways of
empathetically responding to children in a step-by-step manner. Kolari’s CALM
strategy is the cornerstone of her book and shows parents how to:
Connect – by giving undivided attention to the child (eye contact, leaning
forward when communicating, looking involved)
Affect – by matching the facial expressions and body language of the child
Listen – by using the child’s words to show that you are really listening
Mirror – by reflecting back on the child’s emotional perspective
to show them understanding and acceptance.
Kolari’s parenting philosophy also includes strategies for repairing strained
parent-child relationships and other useful strategies for dealing with day-to-
day challenges, such as bedtime and homework.
For more information on Connected Parenting and on Jennifer Kolari,
visit: www.connectedparenting.com
How to manage cyber safety
Using the internet is a great way for children to learn, explore and socialise
– it offers kids an abundance of information and has many positive and
valuable uses. However, as every parent knows, the internet also poses certain
risks to children.
It is very important for parents to stay abreast of current online trends and
the way in which kids use the internet. All home computer time should
be supervised by parents and all devices with internet connectivity should
have content filters – including all PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones.
You can help educate and empower your kids to seek positive
and safe online experiences, with these basic tips:
• Teach children that information found on the internet is not always
accurate. This can include people pretending to be someone they are not.
• Ensure children are aware that there are constant risks when surfing
the web, including identity theft, misuse of personal details (e.g. credit
card details), cyber bullying, and inappropriate sexual messaging
known as ‘sexting’.
• Encourage children to think before posting anything online, and ensure
they are aware that you can never permanently delete anything once
it has been posted online.
• Teach children how to use privacy settings, and how to keep their
passwords safe.
• Discourage children from replying to bullying or threatening messages or
to meeting up with unfamiliar people they have communicated with online.
• Make sure children never provide personal details to any website or
person online unless they have checked with you first.
Above all, keep the lines of communication open with your children.
Encourage your kids to come and talk to you about anything that has
made them feel uncomfortable when they have been online – and always
allow them this opportunity without judging them or being angry or
upset with them.
For further information, visit: www.cybersmart.gov.au
POSITIVE PARENTING TIPS
P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S
Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au
FACTS ABOUT. . . . Attention Deficit DisorderCommonly referred to as ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder is a biological disorder that emerges
in early childhood and is reported to affect 3-8 % of children and adults worldwide.
Sufferers of ADHD succumb to impulsive behaviours that they are unable to control. This can be
likened to a car with weak brakes, making it difficult to stop the car safely. There are two types
of ADHD, one type is characterised by hyperactive and impulsive behaviours and the second type
by inattentiveness and distractibility.
Hyperactive behaviours Inattentive behaviours
Inability to sit still Forgetful
Always on the go, as if driven by a motor Easily distracted
Frequent fidgeting Disorganised
Excessive talking Avoids tasks where a sustained effort is required
Difficulties playing or performing a task quietly Often fails to finish work
Kids Matter
Kids Matter is an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative that
provides information and resources for parents, schools and early childhood
centres. It offers information to help teach children the skills for good social
and emotional development, and assists parents, teachers and care-givers
to recognise and get help for children with psychological issues.
One of the challenges when diagnosing ADHD is distinguishing it from the normal impulsive
and hyperactive behaviours commonly seen in young children. Some of the more distinguishable
signs of ADHD include:
• Hyperactive or inattentive behaviours that are in excess of what is witnessed in other children of the same age
• Hyperactive or inattentive behaviours that occur on a daily basis, most days of the week.
• Behaviours that appear to be significantly impacting a child’s normal progress – eg learning,
developing friendships etc.
• Behaviours that have been present from early childhood (three or four years of age)
Children who display any of these signs should be referred to a psychologist for assessment.
Please contact the Sydney Child Psychology Centre on 9960 1222 to make an appointment.
The website has been prepared by mental health professionals, and was
launched in response to the high rate of school-aged children with mental
health concerns. For more information visit: www.kidsmatter.com.au
RESOURCES AND TOOLS
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C L I N I C C O N T A C T D E T A I L SSuite 3, 836 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088
Telephone: 02 9960 1222 • Email: admin@sydneychildpsychologist.com.auwww.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au
MEDICARE INFORMATION Research shows that regularly reading aloud to young children is beneficial
for their language and literacy development. Reading aloud to children,
especially pre-school aged children, helps to develop their pre-reading
skills and teaches them about the structure of language. Other benefits
also include:
• Aids in the development of word knowledge and vocabulary
• Assists children to recognise letters
• Promotes better social and emotional understanding – particularly
when parents choose books that portray specific emotional situations
and social relationships
• Opens up an opportunity for discussions on feelings, empathy
and other concepts
Visit The Children’s Book Council of Australia for some great
book suggestions: www.cbca.org.au
In order to claim Medicare rebates for psychological services you must
be referred by a medical doctor (GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist) under
a specific care plan. Medicare offers five programs under which eligible
clients can claim back intervention and assessment fees:
1. The Mental Health Care Program (referral needed from your GP)
2. Chronic Disease Management Initiative (referral needed from your GP)
3. Helping Children with Autism Package (referral needed from
Paediatrician or Psychiatrist)
4. Better Start for Children with Disability (referral needed from
Paediatrician or Psychiatrist)
5. Pregnancy Support Counselling (referral needed from your GP)
For more information on the Medicare benefits schedule,
visit: www.health.gov.au/mbsonline. Further information
on funding and rebates is available at our website:
www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au
NEW!! Medicare Easyclaim
We have recently subscribed to the new Medicare Easyclaim system –
making it easier and faster for you to claim your Medicare rebate. Once your
account has been settled at our front desk, we simply swipe your Medicare
card through our EFTPOS terminal, followed by your EFTPOS card, and your
rebate will appear in your nominated back account almost immediately.
THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO CHILDREN
P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S
Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au