Zena Clarke Counselling - Service Update

After 8 years in Port Macquarie, NSW providing a combination of face-to-face therapy (at the Clarence Street practice) and telehealth, Zena Clarke Counselling has now transitioned to solely offering telehealth and online therapy for the time being. This follows Zena’s recent relocation to Launceston, Tasmania and the accompanying closure of her Port Macquarie rooms.

Zena has capacity to provide Clinical Supervision, Counselling and Play Therapy appointments online, given this format there is flexibility with appointment times and days.

Zena Clarke Counselling will consider options to resume face-to-face therapy in Launceston in the future, so please continue to check in for updates on the website and Instagram, or reach out via mobile or the CONTACT ME page if you would like to discuss further.

Is it time to declutter?

The holiday season can bring a mix of highs and lows for so many people. For some, it’s a time of great joy, it can be an opportunity to rest, recoup and to connect with family and friends. For others, working life continues, and for many this time of year can exasperate intense feelings of isolation and loneliness.

The festive season may also include lots of gift giving, sharing food and presents between family and friends. Whilst this can be joyous, it can sometimes lead to over purchasing and an huge influx of items.

Now can be a wonderful time to connect with your children and to make a plan for any toys that are no longer used. Toys can bring hours of fun and they can encourage children to play, an excess of toys however can be overwhelming and limit a child’s their ability to engage in free, unstructured play.

Depending on the age of your child, you might like to sort through the toys with them, getting your child to put toys they no longer use/need into a box, to be donated to charity, for other children to be able to use.

Or it may be an opportunity to sort through the toys with your child, putting them into different boxes to create a toy rotation. Toy rotation can help to increase creativity and engagement with toys that haven’t been used for some time, having fewer toys can reduce over stimulation, overwhelm and helps to declutter the space.

Is it time to declutter?

How much time does your teen spend on social media?

We are surrounded by technology and social media, which can at times be all consuming. So how much time SHOULD your teen be spending on social media?

According to a 2018 study by the University of Pennsylvania, 30 mins of social media a day CAN boost a person’s mood. The study highlighted that using social media for over two hours a day, can increase the risk of depression and loneliness, the study found the less time people spent on social media, the fewer symptoms they reported

How can you support your teen to reduce their time on social media?

• Help them to plan their day, give them a time frame for when they can use social media.

• Introduce a no mobile phone policy, for different times of the day, such as; no mobile phones during dinner, when watching TV, during family time or at bedtime (being mindful to also model this behaviour yourself).

• Set tasks and activities with your teens that limit social media use, such as helping with cooking, tinkering in the shed with dad etc.

If you do have ongoing concerns bout your teens social media use, be sure to make contact with a counsellor, mental health professional for additional guidance.

Twelve tips to help minimize children's anxiety about getting a vaccine/flu shot or blood test

Over the past two years, COVID-19 has certainly been a cause of worry and concern for many people, with plenty of discussion about the virus itself and vaccines, which at times has led to divided communities.

Despite peoples personal stance on COVID-19 vaccines, many children have anxiety in relation to medical procedures generally, which may include, vaccines, needles, trips to the dentist and having to have blood taken.

Here is a great article that lots of helpful information and 12 tips on how to prepare and plan for your child’s vaccination or blood test

COVID-19 Update - January 2021

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, it’s important to provide an update on how the practice will be running, during this time.

At this stage, Zena Clarke Counselling will continue to practice as usual, however Zena asks that all clients and their families please follow current government and health authority recommendations, being mindful of the latest changes with border closures and isolation requirements, especially if you have travelled interstate or into Sydney over the holidays.

To ensure that the health and well-being of all clients, their families and Zena is at the forefront, there will continue to be some specific changes to Zena Clarke Counselling:

• Zena Clarke Counselling has implemented a Covid safe plan, appointments are already staggered and continue to be by appointment only (no walk ins), this approach help to keep client privacy at the forefront, whilst reducing the amount of traffic into the premises.

• Zena Clarke Counselling now has QR code available for check in, due to the nature of the business, the use of this QR code check in, is currently at the discretion of the client. Please keep in mind however if Zena Clarke Counselling is contacted by government or NSW Health, in relation to a potential COVID case or close contacts, Zena will be required to provide them with the contact information, of those who have been on the premises.

• If Zena is unwell or develops flu-like symptoms, she will not be attending the practice. If this does occur advice of this will be texted and/ or emailed out to clients.

• Zena asks that all clients please do the same. If clients do arrive on-site and appear to have any cold/flu-like symptoms, the session will not proceed and they will be asked to go home immediately .

• Zena requests that you please only bring the person who is attending the appointment to the practice, this helps to limit the amount of people in the waiting room and cross-contamination.

• All clients will be directed to wash their hands, use hand sanitiser upon arrival and before entering the counselling space. Clients will also be asked to do the same on their way out.

• Social distancing will be encouraged, where this is not be possible mask wearing will be required.

• Some toys have been removed from the waiting room and the counselling space. Zena asks that you please bring your own toys and sanitiser, if needed, for the waiting room.

• All frequently touched surfaces will be sanitised after use including, but not limited to, toys, desks and door handles.

Telehealth/Zoom sessions

Zena will continue to offer telehealth options to clients who are deemed to be an appropriate fit for this method. This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, where possible, EAP, young adult and parent sessions will be encouraged to move to telehealth consultations, in an effort to limit the amount of people entering the premises.

Thank you for your support and understanding. As the situation unfolds, Zena will endeavour to provide updates of any additional changes. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact 0415 743 006.

Setting Limits

Communicating and setting age appropriate limits and boundaries is important for children, it helps them to make choices, feel empowered and with guidance, helps them to learn to self regulate.

Garry Landreth’s A.C.T limit setting approach is a helpful technique for parents to implement with their children., as it helps children to start to recognise and understand their own feelings, as well increasing their sense of responsibility and to feel empowered.

A- stands for Acknowledge the feeling. example: ‘I can see you’re feeling frustrated/angry. annoyed that its time to stop gaming…’

C- stands for Communicate the limit example ‘ but I am not for yelling at… or ‘now is our agreed time to stop playing

T - stands for Target the Alternative/Choice. example ‘ you can either go outside and kick the soccer ball (relieve frustration) or help me to pack it away’ - offer two choices.

This limit setting approach acknowledges the child’s feelings around a want/need/response, it sets a limit and then offers two alternatives.

This approach can initially feel a little clunky, however with practice and consistency, it can be really useful. It is important however to only ever offer two realistic choices that are achievable for you, as you don't want to inadvertently set yourself up for something that is unattainable.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update

It appears that news on the spread of COVID-19 or Coronavirus is ever evolving.

While it is important to be aware of what’s happening, it is equally important to be sure that you engage in self-care, to nurture your physical and mental heath and those of your children, during these uncertain times.

Be mindful of the impact that these type of events have on children and where possible limit their exposure to media coverage, as often news coverage and images are repetitive and can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Attached is a really helpful social story called COVIBOOK which can be downloaded and read to younger children. This book explains what is happening in child-friendly terms and assists children to process any emotions they may be feeling in relation to the current circumstances.

At this stage, Zena Clarke Counselling will be practicing as usual, however Zena asks that all clients and their families follow current government and health authority recommendations.

To ensure that the health and well-being of all clients and Zena is at the forefront, there will be some specific changes to Zena Clarke Counselling:

• If Zena is unwell or develops flu-like symptoms, she will not be attending the practice. If this does occur advice of this will be emailed out to clients. Telehealth alternatives will be offered where appropriate.

• Zena asks that all clients please do the same. If clients do arrive onsite and appear to have flu-like symptoms, the session will not proceed and they will be asked to go home immediately .

• Zena requests that you please only bring the person who is attending the appointment to the practice, this helps to limit the amount of people in the waiting room and cross-contamination.

• All clients will be directed to wash their hands upon arrival and before entering the counselling space. Clients will also be asked to use hand sanitiser on their way out.

• Some toys will be removed from the waiting room and counselling space. Zena asks that you please bring your own toys and sanitiser, if needed, for the waiting room.

• All frequently touched surfaces will be sanitised after use including, but not limited to, toys, desks and door handles.

Telehealth/Video sessions

Zena is offering telehealth options to clients who are deemed to be an appropriate fit for this method. This will be discussed on a case-by-case basis, however, where possible, EAP, young adult and parent sessions will be encouraged to move to telehealth consultations.

As the situation regarding COVID-19 evolves, I will endeavour to update this blog accordingly. Zena Clarke Counselling is confident that if we act together and remain sensible, as a community we will navigate this tricky time with minimal disruption to normal daily life.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me on 0415 743 006.

In the meantime take care of yourselves, and your families.

Supporting children immediately after a disaster or traumatic event

It’s important to ensure that children’s emotional health and well being is looked after, following a disaster or traumatic event, such as the recent bush fires on the Mid North Coast.

Following are some key points to help support children immediately following the event:

• Reunite children with their loved ones, carers and famliy as soon as possible. If they do happen to be separated, where possible try to connect them with their loved ones via other forms such as; video calls, phone calls etc.

• Limit their exposure to media coverage of the event, often news coverage and images are repetitive and can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

• Provide children with comfort, reassurance and emotional support.

• Allow children to talk or ask questions about the event if they need too, however do not push them to do so.

• Return to normal routines as soon as possible, including for yourself and be sure to include something that the children find joyful.

• Reconnecting younger children with their play. Play allows children to be able to express themselves in a way that makes sense to them, is non threatening and doesn’t require them to have to vebalise what has occurred.

Emerging Minds had a range of useful resources, including this short video

FREE Mental Health Support is also available for those affected by the bush fires on the mid north coast or in northern NSW call Healthy Minds on 1300 160 339.

What are some of the potential pros and cons of a mental health care plan for your child?...

Firstly, what is a mental health care plan?

A mental health care plan is for adults, young people and children, who are deemed to have a ‘mental health disorder’. Under the mental health care plan mental heath disorders are considered to be a broad range of disorders such as; depression, anxiety, stress, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia.

A GP creates a mental health care plan, by completing an assessment with the person, which helps to determine eligibility. If they are deemed to be eligible, a mental health care plan is created and the client is referred to a psychologist, social worker or occupational therapist for support and are entitled to 6-10 sessions with a Medicare Rebate.

What are the potential pros and cons of a mental health care plan for children?

Potential Pros

• Children with significant mental health disorders, can be provided with the appropriate mental health care, which may involve a range of service providers, all working towards the goals outlined in the mental health care plan.

• Overarching support and mental health management, is all linked through the GP, often the person with a good understanding of the famliy.

• Medicare Rebates mean a lower upfront, out of pocket fee for families, for up to a maximum of 10 sessions.

• A mental health care plan is attached to a child’s health record for their lifetime, which can be very useful in providing ongoing mental health management, for those with significant mental health disorders.

Potential Cons

• Children can inadvertently be labelled with an anxiety disorder, when perhaps they are just experiencing some general worries or mental health ‘issues’, that can potentially be supported in other ways. A mental health care plan may not always be necessary.

• There can often be long waiting times, to access psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, due to the level of mental health care plans currently in the system, which can make accessing immediate support difficult.

• A child may require more than 6-10 sessions and in some instances it can be difficult to gain Medicare rebates for ongoing care.

• A mental health care plan is attached the child’s health record for their lifetime, which in many can be of benefit however unfortunately in some instances it may have an impact later in life. In particular, for those with an interest in joining services such as; the army or police force, whereby all mental health records and any prior mental health conditions, need to be disclosed and are then considered, as part of the enlisting process.

To access private support (outside of a mental health care plan), it is likely that you will have to pay a higher fee, however some of these services can offer rebates from private health insurers, for those with the appropriate policy and often tend to have shorter waiting times.

In summary, it is important to be aware of some of the potential pros and cons of getting a mental health care plan, as this can help to ensure you are able to make an informed decision, for your child/young person and access the support that best suits your child and family.

It is recommended to have a discussion with your GP and/or other allied health professional, if you have any concerns or questions in relation to mental health care plans, as these conversations are likely to help inform you of the best approach, for your individual child and family.

Does your child tell lies?...

Does your child sometimes tell lies? How do we know what's developmentally appropriate? When do lies become a cause for concern? How many 'white lies' do parents tell each day?

Perhaps a familiar story for you may be your child getting into your make up or into the food cupboard and despite the evidence being clear, they still say 'it wasn't me'?!

This interesting article Why do kids lie, and is it normal? by Penny Van Bergen and Carole Newell from Macquarie University, looks at child development, telling lies and helps to shed some light on this often difficult area to navigate.