Excel Psychology Articles

The resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances for therapeutic purposes has brought to light not just their potential benefits but also the challenges they can present. One of the most distressing experiences associated with psychedelics is what is commonly known as a “bad trip.” These intense, often overwhelming experiences can leave individuals feeling confused, scared, and even traumatized. Integration therapy has emerged as a crucial process for helping individuals navigate and heal from these difficult encounters.

Relationships can be the source of great joy, fulfillment, and growth. They can also require constant effort, communication, and compromise. How can we make our relationships happier and healthier? What are the secrets of couples who stay together and thrive?

Do you ever find yourself trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and criticism? That relentless voice inside your head that picks apart every decision, every action, leaving you feeling inadequate and unworthy? You’re not alone. Many of us grapple with our inner critics, especially during times of stress, anxiety and depression. But what if you could learn to tame that voice, to quiet its harsh judgements and cultivate a kinder, more compassionate inner dialogue?

Many people in Australia, including psychiatrists, were surprised when earlier this year the medicines regulator down-scheduled MDMA, known colloquially as ecstasy, and psilocybin, from magic mushrooms.

This means that under certain circumstances from July 1, authorised psychiatrists will be able to prescribe MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments. Patients must also undergo psychotherapy (talking therapy).

It all sounds very certain but it’s not really.

As Taylor Swift wins her 13th grammy (woohoo!) and announces her 11th studio album (woohoo!!), let’s talk about the positive impact Taylor Swift has had in the lives of her listeners.

Many of us have grown up with Taylor’s music and commonly share a feeling of deep connection and comradery through Taylor’s powerful lyrics and personal growth. With each new album we get a window into that period of her life and often see many of our own feelings and experiences reflected back to us.

Plants look so different from animals, that it’s easy for many people to think of them as alien and separate from us. Most people appreciate how pretty flowers and trees look and know photosynthesis is essential to life. But our mental and physical connection to plant-life runs deeper than you might expect.

The scientific evidence that plants play a fundamental role in shaping our mental state and decreasing the risk of mental and physical illnesses is mounting.

As psychologists we take care of the wellbeing and mental health of each client that engages in therapy with us. At Excel Psychology, we provide a peaceful and calm environment, which reflects the essence of our practice. One of the key elements that is part of the calm nature of our clinic is that as a team we care for each other. We work collaboratively and we make sure that each of us is comfortable and safe. This means that as professionals we have all the support and resources, but as individuals, our team is available to comfort and care when personal issues arise.

Listening is harder than you might think. If you’ve ever been in an argument and the other person says “you’re not listening to me” you know how confusing the idea of not listening might be, because here you are, hearing all the words they are saying and yet they think you’re not listening. That’s because listening to someone, especially someone you disagree with, is a difficult skill to master. Here, we break down the skill into smaller steps that make it easier to do.