My favourite resources: January – March 2023

I’m really not sure where the first three months of 2023 went, but here in Melbourne, Australia we are starting to see the shift into autumn and so it feels especially timely to write a little summary of the things that I’ve been digging into and enjoying in the work I do as a psychotherapist, but also in my own personal world.

This is central to the purpose of this blog: I really want it to be a useful space where people can find all sorts of therapeutically relevant information, mixed up with a good dollop of personal reflections and ramblings with a sprinkling of humour for good measure.  I also want it to be a place where you can find links to all the resources that I share with clients, things that I think have strong therapeutic merit or that are innovative and really want people to see.  It also gives you an insight into me, what I believe in, how I practice, and I hope it helps to provide some tangible illustrations of my core values: authenticity, curiosity, integrity, openness, and respect.

Therapy isn’t just about what happens in session.  I’m all about being creative with therapy – that’s what the whole ‘therapy. done differently’ is about.  I believe that therapy can also come in the form of blogs, podcasts, books and conversations with other people who are important to your healing.

This is the last week of the quarter and I’m again sharing some of my favourite blogs, websites, books, apps etc. with you all – these are the things I’ve been devouring – would love to hear what you think of them.

Podcasts / YouTube interviews:

Here’s some of the latest podcasts that I’ve had space for:

• The Huberman Lab: Dr Nolan Williams – Psychedelics & tools for depression: https://hubermanlab.com/dr-nolan-williams-psychedelics-and-neurostimulation-for-brain-rewiring/
• Feel better, live more with Dr Rangan Chatterjee: episode #336 – How trauma impacts your physical health & how to heal from it with Bessel van der Kolk: https://drchatterjee.com/how-trauma-impacts-your-physical-health-how-to-heal-from-it-with-bessel-van-der-kolk/
• Ferne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast: Interview with Gabor Maté: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68ev7iTw9B3r4jInJXguTi?si=44113c4e1a204d4f

Books:

They’re a bit academic / trauma heavy at the moment as I’m very busy with my PhD Literature Review – but it’s been an incredibly interesting time:

• Trauma, women’s mental health and social justice: Pitfalls and possibilities – Emma Tseris
• Traumatic stress: The effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body and society – Bessel van der Kolk, Alexander C McFarlane & Lars Weisaeth (eds.)
• The present moment in psychotherapy and everyday life – Daniel N Stern
• I’m glad my Mom died – Jennette McCurdy

Apps:

• Duolingo – because our family trip back to England, and back via Paris, reminded me that I used to be able to speak French, so I wanted to brush up on it. Also – I’ve been working hard to reduce my screen time, so I really haven’t been relying too heavily on apps this quarter outside of Duolingo.

Lastly, I added this list at the end of the last blog of last year as it was a timely reminder of the support services that are available 24/7 and I think it’s something I’m going to keep reminding people about – because therapy isn’t for everyone, it’s not available 24/7 and our challenges don’t always fit neatly into our therapy sessions (if we do therapy):

• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 18 00
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
• MensLine – 1300 78 99 78
• QLife – 1800 184 527
• Find your local CAT Team (Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team) https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/crisis-management

If you’d like a space to talk about how you’re feeling, please get in touch with us: www.theabaker.com.au / hello@theabaker.com.au / 03 9077 8194