Research shows that the brain can change continuously. This phenomenon is known as neuroplasticity. Just as we can train our muscles to become good athletes, we can train our brains to improve our mental well-being.

Hey Teens, 

Did you know that 25% of Aussie young people aged 10-24 have depression and / or anxiety? More than 50% of lifetime mental health conditions start by 14 years of age. Being a teenager is hard for some, with all the physical and emotional changes going on. It's normal to feel anxious when you're stressed, and teens usually stress about school, their friends, relationships or other issues. Some stress can be good for us - it keeps us energised, motivated, and focused. But when feelings like nervousness, fear, and anxiety start affecting your daily life, happiness, and wellbeing, then it's a problem. Teenagers can get anxious for many reasons, like genetics (heredities), trauma, their surroundings, the environment, negative thoughts, and more. 

Poorly managed anxiety in teenage years can become worse, lead to serious mental health problems, and continue into adulthood. Anxiety is a real issue that affects people of all ages, but it can be treated, and you can get better. Do you want to learn to control anxiety before it controls you? 

If you're a teenager aged 12-18, experiencing anxiety, living in the Redlands, and both you and your parent give written consent, you can get 6 to 8 FREE counselling sessions as part of a world first doctoral research study with other teenagers. In counselling, you will learn different techniques, like talking, writing, art, music, to reduce your anxiety and improve your mental wellbeing. You will always be given the choice to actively participate in an activity. You don't need any artistic experience. Therapy sessions are an hour long and are conducted at a private practice in Thornlands.

The University of the Sunshine Coast Ethics Committee has approved this research. 

To learn more about this offer of FREE counselling and participation in research, please contact the researcher via e-mail on Magda.Keates@research.usc.edu.au or via text Counselling on 0403 518 733. I will respond within 24 hours. 

Thank you for your support.  

Yours truly, 

Magda Keates 

Doctor of Philosophy Candidate, MCouns, MACA, MSWSt, AASW, GDipT, BA(Psych), Cert IV (TAE)

Professional bodies mandate that mental health practitioners, such as counsellors, engage in clinical supervision. Counsellors face unique demands and stressors in their work, leading to high distress and burnout. 

According to Barletta (2007, p.10), clinical supervision aims include: 

1. Monitoring client safety outcomes.
2. Developing realistic self-evaluation.
3. Integrating research, theory and skills.
4. Increase scope of practice.
5. Exploring values, beliefs and creativity.
6. Encourage and ensure legal and ethical practices.
7. Developing a sense of collegial and professional support.
8. Updating innovative, current perspectives and best practice.
9. Improving perception and developing clinical wisdom.
10. Observing agency policies and procedures.
11. Facilitating and enlarging personal self-awareness.
12. Promoting team perspective and multidisciplinary orientation. 
13. Encourage an evidence-based approach.
14. Identifying gifts and barriers to development.
15. Developing critical reflection skills.
16. Clarifying work preferences and personal priorities.
17. Developing and managing short, intermediate and long-term goals. 
18. Monitoring lifelong learning.
19. Promoting an orientation to the profession.
20. Supporting self-care and ensuring wellbeing. 

Children can be supported for the following challenges:

• Anger 
• Anxiety
• Attachment Issues
• Bullying
• Family Separation or Divorce
• Grief and Loss
• School Avoidance
• Social Skills
• Separation Anxiety
• Trauma

Adolescents can be helped with various problems, including:

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Bullying
• Computer Game Addiction - Online Addiction
• Depression
• Disordered Eating and Body Image
• Family separation or divorce
• Grief and Loss
• Panic Attacks
• Peer Pressure
• Procrastination 
• Relationships - Peers and Parents 
• Self-esteem 
• Self-harm (NSSI) and Suicidal Thoughts
• Sleep problems
• Trauma

The most typical reasons women seek therapy are: 

• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Conflict
• Depression 
• Disordered Eating
• Domestic Violence
• Loss and Grief
• Mental Health Diagnosis
• Parental Issues
• Relationship issues
• Low Self-esteem 
• Sexual Abuse
• Sleep Problems
• Stress
• Trauma

Common challenges men may face include: 

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Conflict
• Depression
• Loss and Grief
• Panic Attacks
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Self-esteem issues
• Sleep Problems
• Stress Management

Many older people struggle with issues related to:

• Abandonment 
• Adjusting to Change / Transitions
• Aging and Ageism
• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Behavioural Concerns
• Carer Stress and Burnout
• Depression
• Family Relationship
• Health and Medical Conditions
• Isolation and Loneliness
• Loss and Grief
• Mental Health Diagnosis
• Sleep Problems

• Change management for small and medium-sized enterprises. 
• Counselling support to staff during traumatic events.
• Occupational stress. 
• Presentations of general interest to support teachers.
• Redundancy and job loss support.
• Stress in the workplace.
• Tailor-made presentations for businesses. 
• Transition support for retirees.
• Workplace Bullying.