V O L 4 • I S S U E 4 • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

Couple Therapy

Many couples find it difficult to explore and resolve

issues in their relationships - particularly when

faced with stressful life events, such as job loss,

health concerns, relocation etc. Couple therapy

involves looking at patterns of relating, and uses

healthy communication tools to allow couples to

gain a deeper understanding of one another and

to accept each other’s differences. There is a focus

on encouraging the expression of individual needs,

whilst nurturing the couple relationship.

Choosing to engage in couple therapy is a

courageous first step towards a healthier, more

fulfilling relationship for both parties.

Perinatal Services

For most women, becoming a mother is a significant life adjustment and around one in ten Australian women are affected by depression and/or anxiety during the perinatal period (from pregnancy through to the end of the first year following childbirth).

Perinatal psychological therapy can help mothers to manage everyday stress, to feel more connected to their baby and to improve unhelpful thoughts, feelings and ways of relating to other people.

If you would like further information on Couple

Therapy or Perinatal Services - or to book an

appointment - please contact the Sydney Child

Psychology Centre on 9960 1222

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

NEW SERVICES

P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S

Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

IN THIS ISSUE• Principal’s message• New services• How to build a healthy parent-child relationship• How to manage cyber safety• Facts about Attention Deficit Disorder• Parenting resources• The importance of reading to children• Medicare information

The closest carpark is accessible via Raglan Street, which is connected to Military Road via a laneway known as “The Passage”. When you reach our door, just buzz Suite 3 to come up for your appointment.

It’s been a busy year for us at the Sydney Child Psychology Centre. We are continuing to grow at a rapid pace and

have become one of the leading psychology practices on Sydney’s North Shore.

We are pleased to announce that we have expanded our services to ensure we offer comprehensive psychological

programs for the entire family - specifically for mothers, infants and couples - with the introduction of couple

therapy and perinatal services.

Earlier this year we welcomed two new staff members to our practice. Kathryn Knights is a registered psychologist

and perinatal and infant mental health specialist. She provides a range of assessment and treatment services

at the centre and is passionate about supporting parents in their most important role. Wendy Brown is a registered

psychologist and couple and family therapist and has extensive experience supporting couples and families

who wish to improve the quality of their relationships. We are thrilled to welcome Wendy and Kathryn to our team.

To help process Medicare rebates for our patients, in a faster and more efficient way, we recently launched

the Medicare Easyclaim system in our practice. You will find more information on this new service on the back

page of this newsletter.

As always, we welcome any feedback you may have – questions, queries

and concerns can be emailed to: admin@sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

Warm regards

Dr. Fiona Martin

PRACTICE INFORMATIONPsychologists:Dr Fiona Martin – MAPS Dr Fiona Aldridge – MAPS Dr Fiona McGuigan – MAPS Dr Katherine Schmidhofer – MAPS Mr Patrick Bryant – MAPS Ms Elizabeth Harvey – Assoc MAPS Ms Wendy Brown – Assoc MAPS Ms Leila Wearing – Assoc MAPS Ms Kathryn Knights – Assoc MAPS

Early Intervention Therapists:Ms Clare Williams Ms Stephanie Drake Ms Alysha Aubin Ms Krista Zamboldi

Practice Manager: Michele Newman

Appointment times:Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pmEvening appointments available for couple therapySat 9.00am – 4.00pmParking:

P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S

Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

How to build a healthy parent-child relationship

In her book, Connected Parenting, family therapist Jennifer Kolari encourages

parents to become more emotionally attuned to their kids. Kolari believes

that correcting and guiding children’s behaviour works best when the parent

operates from a position of openness, kindness and empathy – rather than from

a position of anger and frustration.

Kolari explains that we are best placed to help children develop skills

to manage their own behaviour when we, as parents, meet their emotional

needs. She believes that a tough, heavy-handed approach to discipline

usually exacerbates cycles of misbehaviour and escalates anxiety.

The Connected Parenting philosophy aims to teach parents ways of

empathetically responding to children in a step-by-step manner. Kolari’s CALM

strategy is the cornerstone of her book and shows parents how to:

Connect – by giving undivided attention to the child (eye contact, leaning

forward when communicating, looking involved)

Affect – by matching the facial expressions and body language of the child

Listen – by using the child’s words to show that you are really listening

Mirror – by reflecting back on the child’s emotional perspective

to show them understanding and acceptance.

Kolari’s parenting philosophy also includes strategies for repairing strained

parent-child relationships and other useful strategies for dealing with day-to-

day challenges, such as bedtime and homework.

For more information on Connected Parenting and on Jennifer Kolari,

visit: www.connectedparenting.com

How to manage cyber safety

Using the internet is a great way for children to learn, explore and socialise

– it offers kids an abundance of information and has many positive and

valuable uses. However, as every parent knows, the internet also poses certain

risks to children.

It is very important for parents to stay abreast of current online trends and

the way in which kids use the internet. All home computer time should

be supervised by parents and all devices with internet connectivity should

have content filters – including all PCs, laptops, tablets and smart phones.

You can help educate and empower your kids to seek positive

and safe online experiences, with these basic tips:

• Teach children that information found on the internet is not always

accurate. This can include people pretending to be someone they are not.

• Ensure children are aware that there are constant risks when surfing

the web, including identity theft, misuse of personal details (e.g. credit

card details), cyber bullying, and inappropriate sexual messaging

known as ‘sexting’.

• Encourage children to think before posting anything online, and ensure

they are aware that you can never permanently delete anything once

it has been posted online.

• Teach children how to use privacy settings, and how to keep their

passwords safe.

• Discourage children from replying to bullying or threatening messages or

to meeting up with unfamiliar people they have communicated with online.

• Make sure children never provide personal details to any website or

person online unless they have checked with you first.

Above all, keep the lines of communication open with your children.

Encourage your kids to come and talk to you about anything that has

made them feel uncomfortable when they have been online – and always

allow them this opportunity without judging them or being angry or

upset with them.

For further information, visit: www.cybersmart.gov.au

POSITIVE PARENTING TIPS

P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S

Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

FACTS ABOUT. . . . Attention Deficit DisorderCommonly referred to as ADHD, Attention Deficit Disorder is a biological disorder that emerges

in early childhood and is reported to affect 3-8 % of children and adults worldwide.

Sufferers of ADHD succumb to impulsive behaviours that they are unable to control. This can be

likened to a car with weak brakes, making it difficult to stop the car safely. There are two types

of ADHD, one type is characterised by hyperactive and impulsive behaviours and the second type

by inattentiveness and distractibility.

Hyperactive behaviours Inattentive behaviours

Inability to sit still Forgetful

Always on the go, as if driven by a motor Easily distracted

Frequent fidgeting Disorganised

Excessive talking Avoids tasks where a sustained effort is required

Difficulties playing or performing a task quietly Often fails to finish work

Kids Matter

Kids Matter is an Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative that

provides information and resources for parents, schools and early childhood

centres. It offers information to help teach children the skills for good social

and emotional development, and assists parents, teachers and care-givers

to recognise and get help for children with psychological issues.

One of the challenges when diagnosing ADHD is distinguishing it from the normal impulsive

and hyperactive behaviours commonly seen in young children. Some of the more distinguishable

signs of ADHD include:

• Hyperactive or inattentive behaviours that are in excess of what is witnessed in other children of the same age

• Hyperactive or inattentive behaviours that occur on a daily basis, most days of the week.

• Behaviours that appear to be significantly impacting a child’s normal progress – eg learning,

developing friendships etc.

• Behaviours that have been present from early childhood (three or four years of age)

Children who display any of these signs should be referred to a psychologist for assessment.

Please contact the Sydney Child Psychology Centre on 9960 1222 to make an appointment.

The website has been prepared by mental health professionals, and was

launched in response to the high rate of school-aged children with mental

health concerns. For more information visit: www.kidsmatter.com.au

RESOURCES AND TOOLS

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C L I N I C C O N T A C T D E T A I L SSuite 3, 836 Military Road, Mosman NSW 2088

Telephone: 02 9960 1222 • Email: admin@sydneychildpsychologist.com.auwww.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

MEDICARE INFORMATION Research shows that regularly reading aloud to young children is beneficial

for their language and literacy development. Reading aloud to children,

especially pre-school aged children, helps to develop their pre-reading

skills and teaches them about the structure of language. Other benefits

also include:

• Aids in the development of word knowledge and vocabulary

• Assists children to recognise letters

• Promotes better social and emotional understanding – particularly

when parents choose books that portray specific emotional situations

and social relationships

• Opens up an opportunity for discussions on feelings, empathy

and other concepts

Visit The Children’s Book Council of Australia for some great

book suggestions: www.cbca.org.au

In order to claim Medicare rebates for psychological services you must

be referred by a medical doctor (GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist) under

a specific care plan. Medicare offers five programs under which eligible

clients can claim back intervention and assessment fees:

1. The Mental Health Care Program (referral needed from your GP)

2. Chronic Disease Management Initiative (referral needed from your GP)

3. Helping Children with Autism Package (referral needed from

Paediatrician or Psychiatrist)

4. Better Start for Children with Disability (referral needed from

Paediatrician or Psychiatrist)

5. Pregnancy Support Counselling (referral needed from your GP)

For more information on the Medicare benefits schedule,

visit: www.health.gov.au/mbsonline. Further information

on funding and rebates is available at our website:

www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au

NEW!! Medicare Easyclaim

We have recently subscribed to the new Medicare Easyclaim system –

making it easier and faster for you to claim your Medicare rebate. Once your

account has been settled at our front desk, we simply swipe your Medicare

card through our EFTPOS terminal, followed by your EFTPOS card, and your

rebate will appear in your nominated back account almost immediately.

THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO CHILDREN

P S Y C H O LO G I C A L S E R V I C E S F O R C H I L D R E N , A D O L E S C E N T S , PA R E N T S & FA M I L I E S

Suite 3, 836 Military Rd Mosman NSW 2088 • Tel: 9960 1222 • Fax: 9960 6991 • www.sydneychildpsychologist.com.au