Stress
Psychology help with Stress in New Farm - Brisbane
Feeling overloaded? Stress is often described as an experience of being wound-up, tense, and worried. It usually happens when we face a set of events we don’t feel equipped to cope with.
Of course, not all stress is bad. A little stress can be healthy, motivating us to get something finished, or helping us to perform at our best. It’s when the stress is too much, or when stress continues over a long period of time that we can start to feel overwhelmed, and become mentally and physically run down.
If you live or work in New Farm or Tenerife, Brisbane CBD, Kangaroo Point, East Brisbane or Fortitude Valley - we are your local psychologists and counsellors. We’re also just a short drive from surrounding suburbs such as from Highgate Hill, West End, Bowen Hills, Balmoral, Hawthorne, Spring Hill, Herston, Petrie Terrace, Kelvin Grove, Norman Park, Wilston and Windsor.
Two Main Types of Stress
Stress is thought of in one of two man ways when it comes to providing help as a therapist: acute stress and chronic stress, and they each have different effects.
Acute Stress: This is stress that lasts for a short time; including things like taking an exam, beginning a new job, delivering a speech, or being faced with a deadline at work.
Our bodies usually bounces back well from acute stress if we’re in a position to manage the stress well. The exception to this is if theatres is severe orin any way life-threatening, such as experiencing an assault. For some acute stress can lead to mental health problems such as acute stress disorder, or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chronic Stress: Chronic stress is stress which is ongoing for a long time - without going away. This can include financial stress, loneliness and isolation, relationship issues, chronic health struggles, caring for another, being overworked, bullying, or living in an unsafe environment. Stress can also build up when multiple stressful situation pile up, or follow closely on the tail of one another - meaning you may not have the opportunity or time to recuperate.
Stress Symptoms
Stress can result in physical symptoms like heart palpitations, tiredness, sleep difficulties, upset stomach, headaches, weakened immune system, muscular aches and pains and high blood pressure.
Some of the more psychological symptoms include feelings of worry, fear, anger, being tearful, irritable, or anxious, and having a sense of helplessness, difficulty with concentrating or memory, or simply feeling overwhelmed.
How Can Counselling Help?
Stress can be effectively helped using a number of strategies. Some of these are listed below - your therapist will always assess your unique circumstances and needs before choosing how best to help.
Cognitive Behavioural Stress Management
CBSM actually includes a number of techniques like learning to relax, building communication skills, supporting problem-solving, as well as teaching time management strategies and strategies to address some of the unhelpful thinking that can be at the root of some stress.
Stress inoculation training
SIT teaches people skills to handle stress in a more effective way. It is also helps individuals to tell the difference between what is able to be changed and what is beyond their ability to control, so they can be more focussed and effective in the choices and actions that they do put effort into. Like CBSM, coping skills form part of this approach (e.g., boundary-setting, relaxation and communication skills) with the aim of reducing stress and increasing confidence. Often these coping skills are then practiced in session before being used in the real world.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Mindfulness approaches have been found to reduce stress by drawing the person’s focus to the present moment, as, for the most part, stress can be attributed to anticipating negative future consequences, or a focus on past pain. By focussing on the present moment, one is able to disentangle oneself from those sources of past / future stress - thereby able to enjoy the present without this distractions.
Relaxation-based approaches
It may sound simple, but relaxation can be hard. The aim of developing relaxation skills is to help clients teach their brain and body to achieve deep relaxation. Once this has been successfully taught in session, clients find it easier to use this skill in their everyday lives.
Book an appointment or give us a call
Appointments can be made for 8am - 8.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and from 8am - 5.30pm on Wednesday and Friday.
Private Health rebates as well as and Medicare rebates are available.
If stress is having an impact on your life, allow one of our team to help.
We are based in New Farm, with local areas including Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley, East Brisbane, Teneriffe and Brisbane CBD. Surrounding places just a short trip away include Herston, West End, Kelvin Grove, Albion, Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Petrie Terrace, Highgate Hill, Norman Park, Kelvin Grove, Hawthorne, Wooloowin, Wilston, Nundah, Windsor, Clayfield and Balmoral. Telehealth or zoom sessions are also available. Free street parking is available, and our New Farm clinic is only 300 metres from the New Farm ferry terminal, or just 100 metres from the nearest bus stop. Naturally, if you like our approach and aren’t in these areas, we welcome you wherever you’re coming from!