Songbird Psychology

Have you been led to believe that you or your child need to engage in endless therapies, appointments, strategies, plans, and just have a WHOLE LOT MORE willpower or discipline to 'get better'??

STOP!

STOP!!!!!!!

As has been so beautifully worded by Neurowild below, the goal in life should NEVER be to make someone LESS Autistic, or any type of Neurodivergence.

As for anyone, the 'goal' of life, and therapy, needs to be learning about ourselves, finding a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our world, and being safe to be who we are.
Having your, or your child's, neurotype formally identified (diagnosed) can be a daunting, if not traumatic experience for many of us.

I've been there, I've read the reports about myself or the people I love.

Often broken down in to a snapshot of all the ways you do not fit into the expected behaviour or thinking style that our society is built around. A list of 'goals' that will make you appear more like the 'normal' people (whatever that is).

STOP!!

Take a moment and look at the person you are, or your child is.

What do you love? What make you feel content, happy, refreshed, excited??
What are you good at? What are the values you bring to your world?
What are the differences you notice?
Are these harmful or dangerous to you or others?

If not, are they actually problematic or have you just been led to believe they are?
If they are harmful and/or dangerous, then do you have an understanding of where this comes from? Would being understood and supported in the way YOU need help alleviate some of this distress? Do the actions feel good, even just in the moment?? What is it that is being sought out - sensory input, distance from others, connection, space, alternative communication options???

Research is becoming clearer and clearer on this topic. Making someone believe they have to act in a way that is grossly at odds with their authentic self is HARMFUL.
Using bribes, coercion, threats, withholding, shame or intimidation are HARMFUL.
Masking is exhausting and can be harmful, even though it is a survival mechanism ("The need to mask, camouflage or hide your autistic self, including suppressing urges to move your body, forcing eye contact, or performing social roles" Jennifer Kemp "Autistic Burnout: A brief guide to recovery and prevention")

This is a big reason behind why I choose to offer clients assessments which are a more realistic representation of their experience in life. It's why Neurodiversity-Affirming practice isn't just a buzzword or an advertising message. It is the core of why we do what we do in all facets of our work.

Your Neurodivergence is part of your identity. It is part of your culture. It informs how you understand and move through this world.

It deserves a safe place to be explored, developed, valued, seen and heard. You deserve a village who recognises you as Neurokin, welcomes you as you are, where-ever you are, and raises you up.

Over the next little while I plan to share with you content and information on other people doing just that. Authors, clinicians, researchers, artists.... and whoever else I can find.

You are seen, You are heard, and You are loved. JUST. AS. YOU. ARE.

"Mauria Te Pono" (Maori proverb- Believe in Yourself)

Speech pathologists.
Psychologists.
Educators.
Parents.
Doctors.
Therapists.

Isn’t it brilliant to know that it is not, in fact, our job to make our kids seem less Autistic? I’m thrilled.

It’s actually our job to help them be happy with their Autistic selves. To learn about their brain. To explore their sensory processing differences and work out accommodations. To give them opportunities for authentic joy and unmasked communication. To help them discover their strengths. To learn who they are and celebrate them. To love and love and love some more, and to meet them with empathy, curiosity, kindness, and radical acceptance.

That is our job.

Em ☺️🌈🌻
AuDHD SLP

Today we received the bitterly disappointing news that the Federal Government will not be extending the additional 10 Better Access sessions past 31 December 2022: http://ow.ly/bRZI50M0yBj

This has come as shocking news, and we cannot be clearer with the extent to which we disagree with this decision. We deeply disagree with the rationales provided to support the cutting of services.

This decision will harm those most in need, and we will be making a clear case for the government to reverse this decision. This decision is a backwards step towards ‘Better Access’ to mental health care.

Given the devastating impact of the pandemic, regular natural disasters, increasing levels of mental ill-health and unprecedented demand, this decision is denying people the level of mental health care they so desperately need. We implore the Federal Government to give more consideration to the mental wellbeing of Australians.

Regarding practicalities, the Department of Health has advised that clients with a mental health treatment plan and current referral for sessions (whether for the initial 10 or additional 10) will be able to use that referral to access up to 10 sessions in 2023, without having to go back to their GP. This aligns with current arrangements for the rollover of unused Better Access sessions across calendar years. Please note usual MBS referral and item rules will apply.

AAPi continues to call for a $150 rebate for psychology clients across the board, which would make it much more affordable for the general population and utilise the 7,900 strong provisional psychology workforce through Medicare rebates to reduce the long waiting lists we are seeing around the country.

We understand the high level of concern and distress this news will cause members and clients. AAPi will continue to fight for increased access to psychologists. We will provide further information as it comes to hand.

Further reading here: http://ow.ly/Iuos50M0yBl

10years ago I met the wonderful Nicole Barber - Dietitian/Nutritionist and the rest is history!
We have been talking about collaborating for years and we have finally got there.
These chats are just two clinicians, one Psychologist, one Dietitian, sharing our chats on the topics that we see coming up in our clinical practice.

We would love to hear from you about topics you might like us to dive into...

A Dietitian and A Psychologist Chat aka it's two chicks chatting openly about life :)

Video 2 is ready - "Nic and Sarah's Chat on Part two on the inner critic - what is self-compassion and why do we need to learn it?"

Link below

Songbird Psychology

Have you ever felt like no-one gets you?
That it is really hard to describe in words what you feel or what you need?
That the feelings are so big, even scary, and you worry if you talk about them they will take over? Or scare people away??

Last night my 5yr old was struggling to tell how how he felt at having to finish playing his game.
I sat in his room with him and listened while casually rummaging through our box of figurines. I validated how he felt and invited him to play with me if he liked.
He decided to take out all the dinosaurs, still upset and telling me he needed his game back. I calmly followed his lead, playing with the dinosaurs.

He took a purple one, different to all the rest, and started 'fighting' the other dinosaurs with big movements. I asked how his dinosaur was feeling.

"Sad"

I asked what his dinosaur might need from us to feel safe and loved.

He carefully chose the other dinosaurs that looked similar and placed them around his.

"How does he feel now?" I asked him.

He replied "Still sad, but he will be ok now. He found others like him."

Never underestimate the power of finding your community. Connection and safety are so important.

When it comes to finding health professionals like a psychologist to be in your community, or team, don't feel like you have to stay with the first one you try. Or the one your GP suggests.
Finding someone you connect with, human to human, is the most important thing.

You deserve to be seen, heard and valued for who you are- unconditional positive regard.

Don't be afraid to be the purple dinosaur. Surround yourself with others like you.

It's been 4months since Songbird Psychology opened, but I finally got around to ordering business cards!
I thought I would have plenty of time to organise all these little things, but I have been blown away by the support from my wonderful clients, peers, friends and of course family. So much so that I've closed my books for the rest of the year for new therapy clients (still doing assessments).
I couldn't do it all on my own. So thank you to everyone who has done this with me.

Exciting things are coming!!

Day 1 in my new office. We are still getting a feel for a few finishing touches that need to happen, but it was so wonderful to spend a full day in the clinic with familiar faces and some new ones.
Also, how organised does my bookshelf look now that my 7yr old has worked her magic 🥰

Welcome to Songbird Psychology.
A new psychology practice based in Lake Macquarie, NSW offering appointments in person, or via telehealth.
We are passionate about supporting people to discover, develop, and strengthen their authentic self. In addition to our formal qualifications and on-going professional development which are required to practice, it is our own lived experience that we believe is invaluable and key to building strong therapeutic relationships.
Songbird Psychology is a proud Neuro-affirmative, Trauma Informed Practice. For us, this is not the latest buzzword in therapy, it is our way of life.
Songbird Psychology invites you to explore how we might be able to support your psychological and mental health needs.

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