Thought Cloud

Emotions are part of being human and are essential for health and well-being. They create the light and shade in our lives that give it meaning and enable us to respond to our world. Our emotional responses allow us to connect with other humans through understanding and empathy. ‘Negative’ emotions [...] Read more

Psychologists arguably have one of the most human-focused of jobs. It’s a role that requires social intelligence, creativity and empathy—three human elements that cannot be hardwired into a computer program. Because every client is unique, and many issues confronted by the psychologist are nuanced [...] Read more

It's not easy deciding if and when to return to work after having a child. There are many factors to think about, not to mention navigating the opinions of others. What's felt right for you? To read our recent article with a list of pros and cons that may assist when making your decision, featured [...] Read more

Psychological and physical health are intricately linked. There are many physical issues that may have a direct impact on mental health. Women’s bodies are chameleons. They change dramatically at each stage of life. Sometimes, there are imbalances as we adjust to new demands on our systems. It is [...] Read more

* Thank you to Alana Healthcare who requested I write this entry as a "guest blogger" on their website for September 2016 ... Becoming a parent is a major life event. It’s an exciting time that changes life in lots of ways—and this transition requires numerous adjustments. Many new parents find that [...] Read more

I love the Olympics, the whole idea of defining human limits and then pushing beyond them. There is so much to be admired watching the athletes. Just as important as their awesome physical abilities is the undeniable mental strength in the long journey that leads them to the games. Even more [...] Read more

Most of us will notice thoughts coming into and out of our heads all day. We are always thinking, evaluating and interpreting things that are going on around us. This is important for us to make sense of the world and to plan what we do next. But what you say to yourself can really influence how you [...] Read more

Even just taking a long hot bath, alone, once a week, may reduce the risk of postnatal depression - Research by Hannah Woolhouse, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Stephanie Brown, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute - One in three women will experience significant depressive symptoms in the [...] Read more

The loss of a baby can be a deeply distressing experience at any stage of a pregnancy. Many women experience intense emotions while also dealing with the physical impact and hormonal upheaval. The sense of bonding between a woman and her unborn baby can be very strong. It is understandable that you [...] Read more

The need to have a psychological evaluation is a prerequisite when adopting a child from another country. Although the requirements can vary for each country, usually a clinical interview and some well-validated psychological measures are completed for each prospective parent. The process might [...] Read more