Carmel Catanuto Psychotherapy

Carmel Catanuto Psychotherapy Carmel Catanuto, Psychotherapist Counsellor - Canterbury, St George area My main approach is Gestalt Therapy. What is Art Therapy?..and what can it do for you?

Gestalt is a holistic and experiential therapy that focuses on deepening your awareness by focusing on your present experience, including your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours. The therapeutic relationship is foundational to Gestalt therapy, as is through relationships with me where growth and healing occur. It is through your relationships that you define how you feel about

yourself and how you want to be now and in your future. Art Therapy is a creative way of combining therapeutic theory and art processes to explore and resolve issues such as self-esteem, making better choices, and reducing the stress in your life. Art therapy helps to bring insights and understanding when there is no clarity. It will address why you are feeling and behaving in particular ways that don’t work. Art therapy is a useful tool when used in conjuction with Gestalt therapy. If you resonate with me and my approach, contact me for a free, no-obligation, 15-minute phone call. You can tell me your problems and I will let you know how I can help. Phone for an appointment on m. 0409 690 701.

08/09/2026

Do compliments make you feel uncomfortable?
What happens when someone gives you a compliment?
Do you say, “It was nothing,” dismiss it or quickly change the subject?

Maybe you avoid asking for help because you don’t want to be a burden, or you feel like you should handle everything on your own. Difficulty receiving kindness and support can be a hidden sign of low self-esteem. This can happen if you believe your needs are less important than other people’s, or if you think you have to earn care.

The next time someone offers you a compliment or support, experiment with simply saying, “Thank you.” You don’t have to explain it away.

Receiving kindness does not make you a burden.
It can feel surprisingly vulnerable to receive kindness, especially if you are used to
being the strong or dependable one.

To build confidence, start small to set yourself up for success. When someone is complimentary, pause, take a breath, make eye contact, notice your body sensations, and say thank you. That’s doing something different and interrupting an impulse to deflect.

When someone is complimentary, what do you do?


04/09/2026

Six hidden signs of low self-esteem.

Low self-esteem is not always obvious as shyness or insecurity.

It can show up in other ways, such as:
Apologising when you haven’t done anything wrong.

Feeling that everything has to be perfect.

Constantly second-guessing your decisions.

Seeking reassurance because you don’t trust yourself.

Putting everyone else’s needs before your own.

You might also avoid new opportunities because you are afraid of criticism. These habits might have started as ways to protect yourself from rejection or disappointment.

Try to notice when these patterns show up, rather than judging yourself.

Becoming aware of these patterns is often the first step toward making a change.

Do you notice any of these signs in yourself?

Some signs of low self-esteem can look like being helpful, responsible, or considerate.

If you notice these patterns, try to observe them with curiosity instead of criticism.

You might try a small experiment: pause before you automatically apologise and ask
yourself, “Have I actually done something wrong?”

Making small changes over time can help you build more self-trust.

The subtlety of burnoutYou feel tired all the time.Your to-do list never seems to end, but you keep going anyway.You not...
03/09/2026

The subtlety of burnout

You feel tired all the time.

Your to-do list never seems to end, but you keep going anyway.

You notice your mood has changed, and the things you used to enjoy don’t make you happy anymore.

You keep pushing yourself because you feel you have no choice, thinking, 'If I can just get through this.'

Burnout can mean a lot of things, but most of all, it’s about feeling disconnected from yourself and your body. It’s not that you can’t stop; it’s that stopping feels like the hardest thing to do.

02/09/2026

Low self-esteem doesn’t always show up as a lack of confidence.

You might seem confident, successful, and capable, but still struggle with low self-esteem.
You might work hard, support everyone around you, and keep things running smoothly.

Still, deep down, you may question your choices, worry about letting people down, or feel like you’re never quite enough.

Confidence is often linked to what you’re able to do. Self-esteem is about how you value and treat yourself, even when you make mistakes or don’t get approval from others.

Having healthy self-esteem doesn’t mean you never doubt yourself. It means you know
your worth isn’t based on your achievements or what others think.

You don’t have to earn your worth. Low self-esteem can be hard to notice, especially
when you seem capable and confident to others.
It can show up as self-doubt, needing approval, or feeling like your worth depends on what you achieve.

Ask yourself: “Who am I when I’m not proving, helping, or achieving?”

Save this reel to remind yourself that your worth goes beyond what you do.

Change often feels unsettling, uncertain, and even a bit scary.Even though it’s a sign of growth, it rarely feels that w...
27/08/2026

Change often feels unsettling, uncertain, and even a bit scary.

Even though it’s a sign of growth, it rarely feels that way in the moment.

What used to feel comfortable and familiar can start to feel dull or even uncomfortable.

Your mind might try to convince you it’s safer to stay put, telling you not to make changes or that now isn’t the right time.

You might feel torn between going back to what was easier and recognising that part of you has moved beyond it.

Change is that in-between stage, and it can feel confusing and a bit messy.

You might not feel confident or clear, and that’s often when overthinking takes over.

Change needs a safe space—not to have everything figured out, but to let new insights come up naturally.

It helps to stay present with your own process and notice what you need along the way.

27/08/2026

You Don’t Have to Carry Everything.

Do you often feel like you’re the one keeping everything together?

Maybe you’re the one who tries to keep the peace. You’re the one who solves problems.
You support everyone else. You notice what people need before they even ask.

Being caring and dependable are wonderful qualities. But when you’re always looking
after others, there might not be much room left for yourself.

Over time, you might start to feel resentful, empty, disconnected, or unsure of what you
need.

Here are some small steps to take;
Pause before you speak.
Notice body sensations.

Check your internal talk and ask yourself, ‘What do I need right now’

You don’t have to fix things immediately.

The connection with yourself is noticing and raising awareness. It’s okay for you to have
needs too. Constantly feeling responsible for others can quietly wear you out.

Protecting your energy, saying no, making time to rest, and noticing your own needs can help you reconnect with yourself.

Therapy can also give you a place where you don’t have to be the strong one.

25/08/2026

Signs Your Nervous System May Be Overloaded.

You might notice your exhaustion showing up in your body.

Emotional exhaustion doesn’t just affect your thoughts.

Your body often shows signs as well.
You might feel tired even after sleeping.
You may find it harder to concentrate or make decisions.
You might feel more irritable or emotionally sensitive.

You may notice your muscles are always tense.
You might finally sit down to relax, and your mind immediately starts running through everything you still need to do.

These can be signs that your nervous system has been working hard for a long time without enough time to recover.

Instead of asking yourself, “What’s wrong with me?”
Try asking yourself:
“What might my body be telling me?”
Your body might be asking for something different.

Often, our bodies notice overload before we consciously recognise it.

Taking a moment to notice tension, tiredness, your breathing, and emotions can help you reconnect with what you need.

When you’re aware, you have more choices.

Remembering Who You Truly Are.Life keeps moving, and sometimes we lose touch with ourselves.We’re kind, sensitive, easyg...
20/08/2026

Remembering Who You Truly Are.

Life keeps moving, and sometimes we lose touch with ourselves.

We’re kind, sensitive, easygoing, and thoughtful with others, but over time, we can slowly lose connection with parts of ourselves.

The parts we push aside become quieter, and soon, what feels acceptable replaces them.
It takes a lot of energy to keep this up. It can be exhausting, and after a while, resentment can build.

Think back to what brought you joy, what felt timeless, and what made life feel lighter and in flow.

Here’s a challenge: try supporting your inner dialogue with questions like these.
What do I need for myself right now or today?
What can I let go of to make space for what’s true for me?
When or where do I feel most alive and energised?

Stay curious about your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. All of it is important information unique to you.

When we remember who we are, we give others permission to connect with themselves. That’s a powerful gift.

20/08/2026

You Look Fine, But You’re Exhausted.

You seem to be managing on the outside, but inside you feel worn out.

You go to work. You get things done. You support other people. You keep showing up.

Others might see you as strong and able. But deep down, you feel a tiredness that sleep just doesn’t fix.

This is what high-functioning overwhelm can look like. You keep going, but you’re carrying a lot emotionally.

Since you keep moving forward, others might not see how drained you really are.

Sometimes, you might not notice it yourself. Sometimes, feeling exhausted is your mind
and body’s way of asking for rest, support, or a change.

You don’t have to be falling apart to deserve support.

Emotional exhaustion can hide behind being capable. You might seem to be doing well,
but still be struggling inside.

Noticing that you’re tired isn’t a weakness. It can be an important sign that something in your life needs attention.


Counselling GestaltTherapy SelfAwareness

18/08/2026

Healing Shame Through Connection.

Shame tends to grow when we keep it secret. Healing, on the other hand, often comes
from connecting with others.

When we feel ashamed, it’s natural to want to hide. We might pull back, keep our feelings inside, or only show others the parts of ourselves
we believe they’ll accept.

But healing from shame often means trying something different. It can start with slowly letting ourselves be seen in relationships that feel safe and respectful.

Therapy is one example of a relationship where this can happen. In therapy, you can get curious about your inner critic, notice what’s happening in your body, and explore the beliefs you’ve carried about yourself.

Healing isn’t about reaching perfection.
It’s about accepting your humanity and realising you can be vulnerable and still deserve connection.

Healing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about becoming more fully yourself. Shame often leads us to isolate, but supportive relationships can help us have a different experience.
With awareness, self-compassion, and safe connections, we can start to let go of old
beliefs and build more self-trust.

You don’t need to be perfect to deserve connection.

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Address

Suite 2, 1A Torwood Street, Sans Souci
Sydney, NSW
2219

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+61409690701

Website

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