Women, Men, Teens and Kids
We are all different and throughout our lives we develop differently and have different needs. Children have different developmental needs compared to teens and adults and as a consequence counselling needs, approaches and the tools you use are different.
Gender and cultural differences are also important when working with people and we at ShirePsych are sensitive to these and work with each person according to where they are on their journey through life non-judgmentally regardless or gender, cultural background, religious background, ability, disability or sexuality.
Women & Women’s Issues
Men & Men’s Issues
Teens & teen issues
Working with Kids
Working with those in remote and rural communities
Veronica and Barry both work with women individually or as couples. Women in our society are increasingly confronted with a complex life. They seem to be increasingly pushed to be carers of the young and the old, professionals, coordinators, organisers, counsellors and all around supporters of our lives. They are frequently being referred to as the sandwich generation as they are caught between so many, often conflicting calls on their time, energy and emotions. Often what gets sacrificed is a balance in their lives and particularly the part of their lives reserved for themselves. These conflicting demands are more often than not dealt with until a crisis, bought about by bereavement, a loss of employment, relationship or other issue, that tips the balance between coping and finding it all too much. Please contact us at ShirePsych if you would like to talk to us about issues and stress in your life and how we might be able to assist.
Both Veronica and Barry work with men and Barry has a particular interest in working with men on emotional issues. "For men in our society it often seems as if it is wrong to have any emotion other than anger. This can be extremely destructive to a relationship where their partner either wants them to understand what they are feeling or wants to understand what the man in their life is feeling." All too often in our society these unacknowledged feelings express themselves in angry words, aggression, withdrawal or violence.
I have worked with couples where the man has told me "I don't have any feelings". In that case the couple had been married for over 25 years. His wife looked at me and told me 'It's true. He doesn't have any feelings.' I remember the joy on his face when he was able to express his feelings and her joy when he was able to express them to her - when he was able to be honest with himself & her about how he felt and both he and she were able to accept each other as they were."
Many men also tell us that they see relationships and relationship problems very differently to their spouse and it is common for us to be told that they didn't see any problem in their relationship until it was beyond their ability to resolve. Please contact us if you would like to talk to us about your issues or issues in your relationship. There are also some quality resources and tools that have been produced by Relationships Australia and the MensLine Australia specifically to assist men. Two of these are:
- A booklet titled Renovate your relationship. “This booklet, with its emphasis on ‘teamwork’, ‘anti corrosion treatment’ and ‘regular maintenance’, can go some of the way towards that.”
- A booklet titled On being a dad. This booklet offers advice to fathers so that they can better balance their busy lives and be there for their children.
Teens face a number of development issues that are particular to them as they move from childhood to adulthood. This is a time of growing independence, developing identity and adjustment in their relationship with the ones that love them most, their friends and peers. It can be a time of confusion for both the teen and for the their family. It is a time fraught with complex issues and feelings. Please contact us if you would like to discuss issues with teens
Working with children is a specialist area as they often find it difficult to articulate what is happening in their world. For this reason we use particular tools that give us an insight into what is happening for them inside. One of Veronica's specialties is working with children and she employs Art and Play therapy, Sand-tray work and symbol work to resolve issues and enable the development of happy Confident Kids. Contact Veronica if you would like to discuss issues that you are facing with your child.
If you are a kid and having problems you might also find the Kids helpline useful. They can be contacted on 1800 55 1800 or on-line at www.kidshelp.com.au | 
