Blue Oak Psychology

18/12/2021

Resources for mothers 🙂

Mumken is a central hub featuring expert advice and insights for mothers and mothers to be across a number of different topics.

28/10/2020

Like many of my colleagues, my current waiting list is much longer than usual, even though I am working extra days to accommodate this increased demand. At this stage, I am unable to take new clients until January. I understand that this really is not an ideal situation as many more people are seeking help. So here are some resources for those who are seeking help but unable to find support immediately:

For perinatal clients, Gidget Foundation (https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/) may have a shorter waiting period for Telehealth consultations.

My colleague Narelle Horwitz from the Centre for Perinatal Psychology is also running a online course on managing anxiety for expectant mothers and mothers with babies/small children (https://perinatal-wellness.teachable.com/)

MumMoodBooster is an online treatment program for postnatal depression and anxiety (https://www.mumspace.com.au/online-treatments/)

Mood Gym (https://moodgym.com.au/) is an interactive self-help program to manage depression and anxiety.

For children and young person (aged 12 - 25), eheadspace offer free online support (https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/).

Kids Helpline also offers phone and online support (https://kidshelpline.com.au/).

People are waiting more than a month to see a psychologist due to a spike in COVID-related mental health issues that have forced providers to close their books.

23/10/2020

😂

*Friday Funny*

I mean really, who planned it this way?

07/10/2020

Beautifully said! - Karen Young 👏

Anxiety will tell our kiddos a deficiency story. It will focus them on what they can't do and turn them away from what they can. We know they are braver, stronger, and more powerful than they could ever think they are. We know that for certain because we’ve seen it before. We’ve seen them so held by anxiety, and we’ve seen them move through - not every time but enough times to know that they can. Even when those steps through are small and awkward and uncertain, they are brave. Because that’s how courage works. It’s fragile and strong, uncertain and powerful. We know that that about courage and we know that about them.
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Our job as their important adults is to give them the experiences that will help them know it too. This doesn't have to happen in big leaps. Little steps are enough, as long as they are forward.
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When their anxiety has them focused on what they can't do, focus them on what they can. By doing this, we are aligning with their capacity for brave, and bringing it into the light.
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Anxiety will have them believing that there are only two options - all or nothing; to do or not to do. So let's introduce a third. Let's invite them into the grey. This is where brave, bold beautiful things are built, one tiny step at a time. So what does this look like? It looks like one tiny step at a time. The steps can be so small at first - it doesn't matter how big they are, as long as they are forward.
If they can't stay for the whole of camp, how much can they stay for?
If they can't do the whole swimming lesson on their own, how much can they do?
If they can't sleep all night in their own bed, how long can they sleep there for?
If they can't do the exam on their own, what can they do?

When we do this, we align with their brave, and gently help it rise, little bit, by little bit. We give them the experiences they need to know that even when they feel anxious, they can do brave, and even when they feel fragile they are powerful.

25/09/2020

This!

A new study reveals that your involvement in your baby’s life has an unexpected pay-off for dads by making them less likely to experience depression.

25/08/2020

To all the mamas caring for their babies/children throughout the night ❤️

Reposting this old favourite because it's the middle of the night somewhere and someone might need to see it.
🌝🌟✨💫
Or maybe it's not the middle of the night but you need to see it. I'm currently lying on the floor of my toddler's room with my foot in her cot while she falls asleep for her nap. She used to want to hold my hand but we compromised and now she just gets a foot. 🤭🙃 It works 🤷‍♀️.
🌝🌟✨💫
Also reposting because I've seen quite a few badly edited, pixelated and uncredited versions doing the rounds lately so I like to put the correct one out into the world every now and then.

18/08/2020

This 💕

A beautiful reminder about self-compassion ♥️
Journey to Wellness

16/08/2020

❤️❤️❤️

A brand new week of juggling and muddling on through.
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Getting things done even though you’re tired and it all feels overwhelming and never ending.
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You really are doing great.
Keep going.

15/08/2020

What a lovely gift and message to receive at the end of a busy week 💕 It warmed my heart and inspired me more to keep doing what I do!

06/08/2020

Now that I must wear a mask and safety glasses for face to face appointments, this is my new look! But if you are wondering what is behind the mask and glasses, here is my friendly face 😊

03/08/2020

What a roller-coaster year 2020 has been! I am mindful that the majority, if not all, of my clients live in the stage 4 restrictions areas. As an allied health service, I remain open for face-to-face consultations when clinically appropriate, in addition to Telehealth and telephone consultations. As advised by the government I am in the process of finalising my COVID Safe plan, although I have already incorporated recommended safety measures since the start of last lock down.

One positive news is that for clients with mental health care plans, they are now eligible to have 10 additional (up to 20) sessions. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Under stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, allied health services can remain open for on-site work, with a COVID safe plan in place. The APS recommends psychologists continue to offer telehealth consultations where clinically appropriate, as well as wearing a level 1 or type 1 disposable surgical mask, particularly where adequate social distancing is not possible.