Group therapy is a successful way to make long-term psychological change. In small groups of up to six people, each participant benefits from peer support and motivation, while also developing a close relationship with the facilitating psychologist.

Psychology Consultants runs several small group programs:

• FRIENDS - build child resilience skills
• Mind Over Matter - weight loss and management
• Spinal Matters - psychology and physiotherapy for pain management
• Towards Better Sleep - evidenced-based techniques for insomnia.

New groups start regularly, so enquire now about the next group.

FRIENDS

Anxiety is the most common form of psychological distress reported by children and adolescents. All children experience anxiety as a part of their normal development. But one in six children suffer from anxiety severe enough to interfere with their family life, school work, or social functioning. Inherited traits or individual life experiences can contribute to this anxiety.

Research shows that if left untreated, children with high anxiety are likely to become anxious adults. More recent research has shown that anxiety in children tends to precede depression.

FRIENDS is an innovative 10-session group program for children aged seven to 12 who are showing signs of anxiety which may interfere with their daily lives.

FRIENDS teaches children important coping and problem-solving skills that they can use in their daily lives. These skills build emotional resilience to help them cope confidently with stress and change.

FRIENDS teaches skills in the following three areas:

Mind skills

• Identifying inner thoughts
• Using positive self-talk
• Techniques for challenging negative self-talk
• Rewarding yourself
• Expecting good things to happen
• Evaluating performance in terms of partial success

Body skills

• Awareness of body clues
• Deep-breathing exercises
• Relaxation techniques

Behaviour skills

• Problem-solving skills
• Coping skills
• Gradual exposure to fear
• Rewards for brave behaviour
• Choosing positive role models
• Peer support
• Finding fun in activities

Who should attend?

FRIENDS is designed for children aged 6 to 12 (grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) who have shown some signs of anxiety.

does your child ...

• Set extremely high standards of perfection for themselves?
• Express a negative opinion of themselves?
• Lack confidence in their ability?
• See the worst in situations?
• Get overwhelmed with worry?
• Have worries or fears that may not be usual for their age?
• Make excuses to avoid taking part in certain activities?
• Have unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, tummy upsets, or sleep problems?
• Seem particularly shy in social situations?
• Get distressed easily?
• Seem concerned with failure and what others may be thinking?
• Have behavioural concerns such as anger aggression, or rudeness which you feel may relate to fears?

If you answered yes to one or more of these, your child may benefit from the FRIENDS program.

How much does it cost?

The 10-session program runs over a school term and costs $650. An initial consultation is also necessary to ensure the child is suitable for the program.

Medicare and private health funds rebates are available. Check with your GP, and your health fund to find out your entitlement.

Make an Enquiry

Mind Over Matter

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Australia. More than 67.5% of men and 52.1% of women are overweight or obese (BMI > 25.0, MJA, May 2004). These people can experience:

• health problems - diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or arthritis;
• psychological problems - depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and low self-esteem; and
• social problems - relationship difficulties or poor body image.
  

mind over matter is an innovative seven-session group program designed for people wanting to lose weight. It is based on the psychological approach called cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT).

The CBT strategies used in the program have been used in managing other addictive behaviours for many years. It is now emerging as a front-line treatment for weight loss and weight management.

No matter what your individual goals, the program is designed to help you make long-term change in the thoughts and behaviours that lead to weight gain. The program will help identify and change what triggers you to overeat. It will also help you understand energy in food and its relationship to weight gain.

mind over matter covers the following topics:

• Enhancing motivation and learning about the process of behaviour change;
• Explaining why dieting is difficult;
• Changing perceptions about calorie intake, exercise, and eating habits;
• Providing practical tips and strategies on food storage, shopping, eating out, socialising, and dealing with difficult situations;
• Highlighting dangerous ways of thinking, the importance of positive self talk, and managing difficult emotions;
• Building self-esteem and developing support; and
• Preventing and managing relapse.
• Weekly goal setting, self-monitoring, and structured practical homework exercises will help you to change your thinking and implement the strategies in your daily.

Who should attend?

mind over matter is designed for men and women over 18 who are medically overweight or obese (BMI > 25.0), and who are motivated to make lasting change.

have you ...

• started a diet only to give up after indulging in chocolates or other forbidden foods?
• snacked when you are bored?
• found you eat large quantities of food labelled ‘97% fat free'?
• felt that your eating or weight gain is getting out of control?
• tried to increase your exercise but are still not losing weight?
• found you are gaining one to two kilograms per year?
• found that you buy snackfood at the supermarket on impulse or because it's ‘on special'?
• got a health problem that is related to your weight?
• found you keep eating until you are very full?
• become less active but still eat the same amount?

If you answered ‘yes' to one or more of these questions, you may benefit significantly from the program.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

Your BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared.

.......... kg / .......... m² = ............... BMI

eg. Jenny is 84 kg and 1.7 m tall. Her BMI is 29.06. Jenny is overweight.

84 kg / (1.7m x 1.7m) = 29.06 BMI

Normal 18.5 - 24.9 BMI

Overweight 25.0 - 29.9 BMI

Obese >30.0 BMI

How much does it cost?

The seven-session program runs over 10 weeks and costs $455. Most private health funds pay rebates for psychological services, provided you have 'extras' cover. Check with your fund to find out your refund entitlement.

Make an Enquiry

Spinal Matters - Psychology & Physiotherapy Pain Management

Living with chronic or persistent pain can be emotionally and physically draining for you and your family. Psychology Consultants can help you better manage the symptoms of a physical problem such as migraines, back and neck pain, whiplash and other painful or physical problems and assist you to cope with their impact on your life.

Spinal Matters is a rehabilitation program designed to help people suffering from sub-acute, chronic or work related back pain or other pain.

Combining psychology and physiotherapy, the six-week individual program helps you better manage your pain through pain physiology education, physical rehabilitation, and psychological intervention using cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Patients see both a psychologist and physiotherapist individually to improve strength and flexibility and more effectively manage persistent pain.

The program incorporates recent scientific evidence which has shown to be effective in managing persistent pain. This includes:

• Core stability retraining - includes pilates and abdominal exercises to improve your core strength and balance and decrease pain;
• Motor control strategies - identifies and corrects your abnormal movement patterns which compensate for pain and can cause other problems, so movement becomes easier;
• Pain physiology education - teaches you theory which is shown to increase your understanding of your body so you have more control of what causes pain flare ups;
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy - introduces strategies to help you cope better with pain by thinking differently about stressful situations, and pain specifically. It also helps you return to avoided activities by gradual exposure therapy and pacing techniques; and
• Psychosocial interventions - teaches you relaxation skills to calm the physiological arousal that can exacerbate pain and the importance of creating a balanced lifestyle including exercise, recreation and sleep.

The program is offered at Psychology Consultants' Morningside office, as well as at St Andrews Medical Centre in Spring Hill.

Who should attend?

Spinal Matters is suitable for anyone with spinal or other persistent pain which is slow to resolve, limiting their ability to return to work, or inhibiting their daily physical functioning.

Do you ...

• have persistent pain which has failed to improve with regular physiotherapy?
• live with constant pain and have you done so for six months or more?
• have pain that is affecting your ability to function normally socially, at work, or in your relationships?
• notice a lack of ability to do certain tasks because of your pain?
• have a work injury that has stopped you from returning to work?
• want to reduce your reliance on pain killers?

If you answered ‘yes' to one or more of these questions, you may benefit significantly from the program.

How much does it cost?

Although the program is packaged over six weeks, patients pay per session for the clinical psychologist ($145 per hour session) and physiotherapist ($100 per hour session and $55 per ½ hour session) individually. Most private health funds pay rebates for psychological and physiotherapy services, provided you have 'extras' cover. Check with your fund to find out your refund entitlement.

You may also be eligible for cover under the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care for physiotherapy or the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care program. You will need to discuss this with your GP, and a referral would be necessary.

Make an Enquiry

 Towards Better Sleep

Towards Better Sleep is proven four session-program assisting people who suffer from insomnia and other sleep related problems. It is administered by our Newmarket office and group sessions take place at New Farm Clinic. Conducted by consultant psychiatrist, Dr Curt Gray and clinical psychologist, Kathryn Smith, the four sessions run over six weeks and provide participants with all the successful evidence-based techniques that psychologists and psychiatrists know of to treat insomnia. The program costs $300 and participants require a referral to Dr Curt Gray to obtain a rebate through Medicare.  

New program begin on demand. For further information or to register your interest, please contact our Newmarket office or enquire using the button below.

Make an Enquiry