Raw Psychology Clinic

17/12/2025

Perimenopause doesn’t come out of nowhere.

Hormonal shifts, particularly fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone, directly affect neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA, the systems that help regulate mood, threat and emotional containment.

When those systems change, many of the protective mechanisms we’ve relied on for decades like emotional suppression, over-functioning, pushing through, stop working the same way they once used to.

And so what was once held down…
becomes harder to hold.

Research shows strong links between perimenopause and increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression, irritability and trauma reactivation, especially in those with earlier life stress or trauma histories. Not because you’re “regressing”, but because the nervous system finally has less capacity to keep everything buried.

This isn’t your body betraying you.
It’s your body revealing.

An invitation to tend to what was never fully seen, soothed or supported before stepping into what comes next. 🌿

You don’t need to navigate this season alone, psychology or counselling support can be a meaningful space to shift the relationship you have with yourself, the parts of you and the world around you. 🫶🏼

16/12/2025

In the days, weeks and months after a collective traumatic event, like the Bondi attack, many nervous systems remain on high alert, even if we weren’t physically there. 💔

This is well documented in trauma research. Our brains don’t distinguish between direct and vicarious threat. Exposure alone can activate the stress response system (HPA axis), leading to shock, hypervigilance, numbness, sleep disruption or sudden emotional waves. 🌊

One of the most important steps after collective trauma is helping the body close the stress response and re-establish a sense of safety. 🫶🏼

Research consistently shows that this happens not through logic alone, but through connection and attachment.

Human connection acts as a form of social buffering, reducing cortisol and signalling safety to the nervous system. From a polyvagal perspective, cues of care, proximity, and shared humanity help shift the body out of threat and back toward regulation.

When we witness acts of courage like strangers running toward danger, people holding and protecting one another, our brains receive a powerful corrective message:
You are not alone. Others will help. Safety can be restored. 🤍

If you’re feeling unsettled, it may help to:
• be with safe people
• limit repeated exposure to distressing media
• ground into your body and surroundings
• intentionally notice acts of kindness and humanity

Collective trauma is carried collectively through community.
And healing, too, happens in connection & community. 🤍

If you are unsure where to go or who to seek support in, these numbers are available:
Lifeline - 131 114
Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
13 YARN - 139 276

🫶🏼

17/11/2025

PMDD from a Trauma Informed Lens 🌸🫶🏼

Tonight I was a guest speaker for the PMDD peer network hosted by the MHPN and the amazing

I spoke all things:
- PMDD and trauma
- what the research so far is teaching us about the links to emotional and psychological abuse + other forms as abuse in the increased risk of PMDD.
- Our framework for working with PMDD using a somatic, trauma informed approach integrating parts work, nervous system regulation, EMDR and emotional expression.
- a community and team approach, bringing together approaches that cover the main known drivers of PMDD.

We are planning to run several webinars and online modules next year but if there is something you’d like to more about relating to PMDD please comment below or send us a DM 📧

23/10/2025

🌵 For so long I held the belief that doing it alone meant that I was strong. That needing or asking for help meant that I was failing. Those imprints ran deep and took a lot of work to shift. So often in business, motherhood and even in psychology we’re taught to carry it alone, that needing support somehow means we aren’t enough.

But this journey has taught me otherwise and now I help others to walk this same path. True growth and healing begins the moment we surrender these old patterns of isolation & protection and open ourselves to community & vulnerability. To being seen, held and heard. Growth doesn’t happen in solitude but in connection.

This week was a reminder of the magic of this connection. The beauty and gratitude that thrives when we choose togetherness.

To the beautiful souls that shared this connection with me this week, thank you for your warmth and presence. You truly reminded me about what this is all for, this thing called business, motherhood and life 🌻

A special shout out to these connections this weekmh




To the .wellbeing.co community who truly hold the space 🫶🏼

psych
naturopathy m.i.l.y.l.e.e
Steph & Georgia at Raw Psychology Clinic 🌸

And to the incredible for her magic in capturing the light and energy of communities 📷🫶🏼

15/10/2025

🌸 About Me 🌸

I’m a psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor.

11 + years in the world of Psychology, I’ve learned how to step into authenticity and vulnerability in our profession. I’ve developed ways of working with clients that honour what comes naturally to me: building safe and playful connections, building insight and self-efficacy, understanding the stories of clients and guiding them to recover and live a life they deserve to be able to live.

Skills? Yeah absolutely, but skills aren’t just it. Exploring how your story and the lenses you’ve developed to make sense of this story show up in your life now? YES! Shifting these imprints in both mind and body? ABSOLUTELY! 🌸

I’m a mum of two, an endo warrior and proud neurodivergent! All experiences that have deeply shaped the way I show up with my clients 🌸

My work is relational, compassionate and real. Grounded in EMDR, schema therapy and parts work, always being led by the human in front of me.

Helping you to come home to yourself and your body 🫶🏼

10/09/2025

🌸 EMDR for Birth Trauma 🌸

Acknowledging that your birth experience was traumatic or deeply impactful can feel confusing and confronting. Sometimes the comments from others (e.g “at least you’re both okay”) can lead to suppressing what your body has been trying to make sense of.

🌱 This is where EMDR can help!

Through gentle bilateral stimulation (butterfly taps or eye movements) and dual attention (one foot in the memory and one in the room), EMDR supports your body and brain to stay grounded in the safety, connection and presence of the now. Together, we work to process the memories of your birth experience, so they no longer feel stuck, but become integrated into your story with acceptance, empowerment and courage.

I sit with you knowing your inner wisdom and strength, you’ve already carried this far more (often on your own), then you should have to 💓

If you’d like to know more about EMDR for birth trauma or have questions, please send us a DM. You don’t have to navigate this alone 🌱

07/09/2025

🌸 How I found my flow with PMDD, and how you can too 🌸

Living with PMDD can feel like a somewhat predictable storm that you get pulled into every month. But over time I have learnt to anchor myself and create more safety and shelter in the storm. Does the storm still come? Ahhhh yes… but am I scared or do I feel shame. Not anymore ✨

Here’s what can help:
1️⃣ Finding your anchors - good sleep, nutritious food, nature, body and a sense of home.
2️⃣ Learn to befriend your anger, she isn’t the problem here. The more we push her away, the more she’ll come back and the cycle continues (literally).
3️⃣ try to no longer fear the storm and practice ways to express emotions
4️⃣ Listen to your body and emotions without judgement and instead use curiosity and self-compassion
5️⃣ Work with your husband on what you need, what’s not helpful, setting boundaries, communication and minimise pushing them away.
6️⃣ Build a care team that aligns with your values

“Every time you shame or judge the PMDD, you’re strengthening the intensity of the storm and reinforcing beliefs that partly created the storm in the first place.” 🌅

04/09/2025

💜 5 Ways Unprocessed Trauma Can Surface in Motherhood 💜

Motherhood can be a beautiful yet chaotic journey, along the way it can also unearth deep seated patterns that ripple through how you parent, relate and feel about yourself.

1️⃣ Waves & Flooding of Emotions & Dysregulation - an already sensitive nervous system becomes more reactive when sleep is absent or broken and sensory input compounds (everything feels louder and intolerable). Your protector parts may react sharply to distress, bypassing compassionate regulation and overwhelm. You know that feeling of going from 0-100.

2️⃣ Attachment wounds can surface - which can look like significant anxiety, intrusive thoughts (harm related) or avoidance/intolerance of affection/touch.

3️⃣ Negative Core Beliefs & Self Worth - failures of our own caregivers can distort and change what we call your internal working models. Protective parts (hello inner critic!) may whisper “your not enough” or “your a bad mum.” These parts can often get louder.

4️⃣ Analysis Paralysis - rumination and focus on managing the fear of “being like my mum or dad” can look like analysing yours and your child’s feelings or behaviours. A shame lens of “I’m bad or broken” only gets louder. Seeking out reassurance or trying to have all the parenting knowledge, only to be out of reach when emotions take over. This focus means we don’t learn to attune to our own intuition, instead focusing on what we or others believe to be “what a good mother would do.”

5️⃣ Resurfacing of Trauma Memories through associations - childbirth and mothering can bring up unresolved memories stirring feelings of vulnerability or self-doubt. You may notice more recollections of childhood or other memories or other traumatic events, particularly if your birth was traumatic.

The good news?! EMDR, Parts work and Schema Therapy can all help 🌸

“Motherhood acts like a mirror where it reflects the parts inside us waiting to be seen, heard and healed. The path forward involves compassion curiosity and insight where you can begin to reconstruct your care giving story” 🌸

01/09/2025

🌸 Why Movement Can Help You Flow With PMDD 🌸

I often talk to my clients about the benefits of movement and for PMDD it is absolutely crucial.

Typical nervous system regulation approaches focus primarily on down regulating or slow movement like yoga in the luteal phase, and whilst this is important, the aim of constant calm is not flowing with PMDD and is not always attainable.

We want to be able to flow with the waves of intensity that comes with PMDD, not expect the waves to fade (although that would be wonderful).

Emotions that flare in PMDD are often long suppressed, and require us to move the emotions through the mind and body. When peak anger flares in PMDD we need movement like dancing, weights, walking, running, shaking that allow for the tension in the body to release.

Research show us that movement can help to regulate the nervous system, so we need a mix of both up and down regulating movement.

🏃‍♀️Up-regulation practices like dancing, brisk walking, running and weights training can release built up tension and improve mood.

🧘‍♀️ Down-regulation practices like yoga, stretching or gentle breath-led movement can support emotional regulation, reduce hyper arousal and calm the body.

To be able to flow we need to tune into what our body needs and is showing us. Whether it’s to release tension and move emotion through the body or to restore calm movement is a powerful tool.

What movement helps you to cope with PMDD or your general mental health? 💭

22/08/2025

Expression of Interest – Casual Administrative Assistant

Raw Psychology Clinic – Bateau Bay

We are seeking a vibrant, organised and compassionate Administrative Assistant to join our team on a casual basis.

This role will suit someone who is looking to balance meaningful work with the rhythms of life outside of the clinic — perhaps a mum returning to the workforce or someone who thrives in a supportive, people-focused environment. The role is starting at 12 hours per week (school hours - 4 days a week 3 hours p/d), with room to grow!

We’re looking for someone who will be my “right hand” in the day-to-day running of the clinic. The ideal person will:
✨ Have experience in allied health administration (psychology, counselling, medical or similar)
✨ Be proficient in Zanda Health or similar practice management software
✨ Bring a friendly, warm, and calming energy to our space, while being confident in supporting clients in need over the phone
✨ Show initiative, adaptability and the ability to pivot when things get busy
✨ Value wellbeing and balance — both for yourself and for our clients
✨ Be proactive in helping me stay on top of tasks, delegating where needed, and ensuring the clinic runs smoothly

This is a role for someone who wants to be part of a small, values-driven team where your contribution truly matters. You’ll not just be “managing admin,” but also creating a welcoming first impression and helping hold space for people who may be reaching out during vulnerable times.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please email your CV and a short expression of interest telling us about yourself, your experience, and why this role feels like the right fit for you.

📧 Applications: [email protected]
📅 Closing date: 5th September 2025

08/07/2025

08/07/2025

VIRTUAL You, Me & PMDD is Here 🌸

because support shouldn’t depend on your postcode. 🫶

Living with PMDD is hard enough—feeling alone in it makes it even harder. This online group program is designed for those in regional, rural, or simply unsupported areas who are craving real connection with others who get it.

Led by Tania—a registered psychologist and integrative therapist who also lives with PMDD—this space is clinically informed, deeply human, and grounded in evidence-based care + community.

✨ What to expect:
✔️ Online fortnightly sessions
✔️ Evidence-based tools for managing PMDD
✔️ Guest practitioners in mind-body medicine
✔️ A safe, relaxed group where your experience is valid and heard

You don’t need to go through this alone. Join from your lounge room, your bed, or wherever you feel safest and start building your virtual village.

🗓️ Starting Thursday 24th July 2025
💻 Fortnightly via Zoom - 7pm
🌾 Open to anyone across Australia

Bookings are required as this is a closed group. However, you can withdraw at any point in time, with pay as you go... 🌸

Book online via www.rawpsychologyclinic.com, select "Book a Class" via the portal or email [email protected]