Join lawyer Rebecca McLeod and psychologist Aspasia Karageorge to learn about coercive control in intimate partner relationships. This episode explains what coercive control means, as well as painting a picture of what you can expect if you go to see a solicitor in response to experiencing coercive control in your domestic relationship. What are your rights, what can you expect the process to be like, how does separation or divorce factor into all of this, and what other supports are important to consider?
Aspasia and Rebecca discuss the overlap between law and psychology when addressing coercive control, the challenges of identifying and supporting people, and we offer practical information for anyone in that situation (for that reason, this episode is a little longer than normal!)
About our guest: Rebecca McLeod is the Practice Leader (Northern Beaches) at Watts McCray lawyers. She was admitted as a solicitor in 2008 and has practiced almost exclusively in Family Law since 2012. You can find Rebecca and other compassionate family law solicitors who can help with matters of coercive control at Watts McCray Lawyers: www.wattsmccray.com.au
The legal context: Based on the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW from 1 July 2024. This is when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them. The criminal offence captures repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone.
A reminder that free 24-hour support is available for domestic violence or abuse of any kind in Australia on the 1800 RESPECT phoneline: 1800 737 732. Or call your country’s police phone number for support.
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Want to make an appointment with Aspasia or one of the clinical psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in May 2025 by Aspasia Karageorge and Rebecca McLeod in Sydney, Australia.
In this episode, clinical psychologist, Dr Veena Sothieson, provides a helpful overview of EMDR therapy. We understand you might be wondering: What exactly is EMDR? What does a session involve? And how might it help you? Dr Sothieson clearly explains how bilateral stimulation can assist in processing and supporting healing from distressing experiences. She also walks you through the different stages of EMDR therapy, from your initial assessment and preparation, right through to the active processing sessions. If you're seeking to understand more about EMDR and whether it could be a helpful path forward for you, this episode offers valuable insights. And if you're interested in delving deeper, keep an eye out for a future episode where we'll explore the Adaptive Information Processing Model (AIP) that underpins EMDR.
Timestamps:
00:36 What is EMDR?
02:05 Applications of EMDR
05:12 EMDR Session Structure
06:55 Processing Sessions Explained
10:32 Flexibility and Adaptations in EMDR
Want to make an appointment with one of our EMDR psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? We provide sessions online and in Sydney CBD. Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127.
This episode was recorded in March 2025 by Aspasia Karageorge and Veena Sothieson in Sydney, Australia. The information provided here does not replace personalised medical or psychological advice from your doctor or clinician. Always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
Learn about the benefits of self compassion to your mental health, physical health, relationships, and productivity. Many people think that practising self compassion will lead to stagnation or laziness, but clinical psychologist Dr Aspasia Karageorge is here to explain the science behind why self compassion actually increases motivation, confidence, resilience, and meaningful engagement in life.
Here are three quick ways to start doing self-compassion today:
Self-Compassion Break: When you’re upset, pause. Name what you’re feeling, remind yourself others feel it too, and say something kind like, “I’m trying hard today, even though it isn’t going to plan.”
Letter to Yourself: After a rough moment, write a note to yourself as if you’re comforting a friend who has been through that rough moment, then read it back to yourself. It’s a perspective-changer.
Check-In Moments: Ask yourself throughout the day, “How am I? What do I need in this moment?”, and then take a moment to give it to yourself. Even a sip of water counts. Treat yourself as though you are valuable and someone to be cared for - because you are.
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Check out our website sydneycitypsychology.com.au to learn more about how we can help you to live well, or get in touch with us today on (02) 9235 3127.
This episode was recorded in March 2025 by Aspasia Karageorge in Sydney, Australia.
The information provided here does not replace personalised medical or psychological advice from your doctor or clinician. Always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
There’s a lot out there about parenting children with ADHD, but what about the ADHD parents? In this episode, Aspasia (clinical psychologist and mother) covers the challenges and strengths of parenting with ADHD. She covers common issues such as planning, organisation, sensory overwhelm, and impulse control, while offering practical solutions like using visual cues, breaking tasks into small steps, and leveraging technology. Additionally, she highlights the strengths that ADHD can bring to the parenting game, emphasising that neurodiversity leads to parenting diversity, and ADHD is no obstacle to being a safe, secure, loving and connected parent. Find your own unique ways of doing it!
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Want to make an appointment with one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127
This episode was recorded in February 2025 by Aspasia Karageorge in Sydney, Australia.
The information provided here does not replace personalised medical or psychological advice from your doctor or clinician. Always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
This is my full conversation with Johannes Kieding - an experienced ISTDP therapist, teacher, and trainer. We discuss psychodynamic therapy and Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), an evidence-based therapy approach developed by Dr Habib Davanloo. We discuss the psychodynamic focus on emotions, the conflicts inherent in human life, and how the unconscious might play a part in all of this. Johannes explains core principles of ISTDP such as the Triangle of Conflict, what to expect in ISTDP therapy, and how ISTDP differs from other therapeutic models like CBT. We also discuss emotional development, complex mixed feelings, new ways of thinking about anxiety, and practical insights for parents on emotional management and attachment trauma. This one is an enriching discussion on a powerful therapeutic approach, all in the one conversation. You can also find parts of this conversion in 10-minute clips on episodes 18, 19, and 20 of the 10 Minute Mood Podcast.
More about Johannes KIeding
Contact him via his website: https://johanneskieding.com/
His youtube channel: www.youtube.com/@LearningForPsychotherapists
More about Sydney City Psychology
Call or email us today: (02) 9235 3127 or info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
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This episode was recorded online in October 2024 by Aspasia Karageorge and Johannes Kieding. The information provided here does not replace personalised medical or psychological advice from your doctor or clinician. Always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
This episode continues from Episode 15 and the theme of healthy vs. unhealthy relationships to exercise. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Veena Sothieson provides a practical roadmap to assess and improve your exercise mindset - so that exercise becomes about supporting your values and your greater wellbeing, and not something restrictive. Veena steps through some questions you can ask yourself, some concrete ways to monitor how you are currently relating to exercise, and simple strategies to shift towards healthier habits and attitudes when it comes to all things exercise, movement, and body.
For the full 30-minute discussion, visit sydneycitypsychology.com.au
Want to make an appointment with Veena or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in September 2024 by Aspasia Karageorge and Veena Sothieson in Sydney, Australia. And a reminder to always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
In this episode, clinical psychologists Aspasia and Veena discuss the nuances of exercise and wellbeing. habits. Rather than the common misconception that all exercise is universally good for us, this conversation highlights a distinction between approaches to exercise which may become harmful to our wellbeing, bodies, and/or relationships (e.g., rigid, guilt-driven, or weight-loss-motivated exercise mindsets), and a healthier relationship to exercise which operates in service of our values and overall wellbeing (e.g., building a meaningful, flexible, and enjoyable relationship with physical activity that emphasises the importance of awareness, variety, and listening to the cues of our body).
Practical advice for shifting towards healthier exercise attitudes and behaviours is also offered in the next episode of this podcast - Episode 16. Or you can listen to the full unabridged 30-minute conversation in one place on our website: sydneycitypsychology.com.au
Want to make an appointment with Aspasia or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in September 2024 by Aspasia Karageorge and Veena Sothieson in Sydney, Australia. And a reminder to always seek individualised medical advice from your health practitioner, and not from the content of podcasts.
Join clinical psychologist & researcher, Dr Aspasia Karageorge, for a short dive into the complex world of emotions. What does the term really mean, and how might it be useful to consider our emotions in more depth?
Want to make an appointment with Aspasia or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or visit our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in July 2024 by Aspasia Karageorge in Sydney, Australia. The information provided here does not replace personalised medical or psychological advice from your doctor or clinician.
Join lawyer, Rebecca McLeod from Watts McCray, and clinical psychologist, Aspasia Karageorge, for a conversation about legal and psychological aspects of co-parenting agreements after separation or divorce. How are the child's best interest taken into consideration? What can parents expect when navigating this process? How can parents best communicate with their children along the way? We discuss all these questions, and more.
Find the full report "Australian Relationships: Love, Marriage, and Divorce in a Modern Nation" here: https://www.australianfamilylawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/AFL_Report_FINAL_20230225_V1-1.pdf
Find Rebecca at Watts McCray Lawyers: www.wattsmccray.com.au/
Want to make an appointment with Aspasia or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in March 2024 by Aspasia Karageorge and Rebecca McLeod in Sydney, Australia.
Join clinical psychologist, Natalie Glaser, and author of best-selling book The Happiness Trap, Dr Russ Harris, to learn about the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with trauma, from the perspective of the therapist and the client.
How can ACT address symptoms of trauma? What are the symptoms of trauma, and what are the many ways that trauma can present?
Join two experienced clinicians for a conversation about finding new ways to relate to distress, pain, and avoidance of traumatic reminders. Learn about fusion, experiential avoidance, and other ACT concepts, and how ACT can provide a powerful new way of getting back to doing what matters most to you - with support, confidence, and compassion.
This episode was recorded in October 2023 in Sydney, Australia.
In this episode, learn about how autism is assessed for and diagnosed in children. Who can assess and diagnose? What does an assessment process involve? What should you be looking for when undertaking the assessment process? What are the advantages of having an assessment early in life? Can early diagnosis be helpful in any particular ways? Join clinical psychologists Angel-Lee Aube and Aspasia Karageorge as they answer all these questions and more.
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Want to make an appointment with Angel or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: +61 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in August 2023 by Angel-Lee Aube and Aspasia Karageorge in Sydney, Australia.
Join clinical psychologist Dr Aspasia Karageorge for an overview of attachment styles, both in childhood and in adulthood. What are attachment styles? What can they look like in childhood versus adulthood? How can they continue to influence our relationships even in adulthood? How can you work on changing your attachment style in order to improve your overall wellbeing as well as the health of your relationships? All these questions (and more) are covered in this 10 minute overview.
Want to make an appointment with Aspasia or one of the psychologists at Sydney City Psychology? Get in touch with us today: (02) 9235 3127 or email info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
More helpful resources at our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au
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This episode was recorded in May 2023 by Aspasia Karageorge in Sydney, Australia.
Join psychologist Alan Hely for a 10 minute overview of performance psychology in sports. He discussed the ways in which elite sportspeople use performance psychology to be at the top of their game, as well as provides tips for how you can apply performance psychology to your own game. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, this podcast is filled with useful information to improve your mindset and your actions when taking part in sport of any kind.
Want to make an appointment with Alan? Get in touch with us at Sydney City Psychology today to book: (02) 9235 3127 or info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
More helpful resources at our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au
This episode was recorded in April 2023 by Alan Hely in Sydney, Australia.
This episode features a conversation between Veena Sothieson and Aspasia Karageorge, two clinical psychologists at Sydney CIty Psychology, and Dr Eric Pugliesi, a General Practitioner with a special interest in metabolism and weight management. The purpose of the conversation was for Dr Eric to introduce his patients to an online emotional eating group that we are running, however it offers an overview of how emotional or impulsive eating can impact our pursuit of what really matters to us, how shame and anxiety can reinforce the cycle, and what kinds of approaches might be useful to change our relationship to these matters. So although we discuss the online group program, this episode would be interesting for anyone who wants to gain an understanding of eating, food, weight or body concerns. We hope you find it informative and thought-provoking.
If you are interested in finding out more about the emotional eating online group, click here: https://sydneycitypsychology.com.au/overcoming-emotional-eating/
If you’d like to learn more about Dr Eric and his look through his resources for simple, practical and sustainable weight management and eating, click here: https://www.gainmomentumforlife.com/
If you’d like individual psychology sessions to support you in your eating and weight management, contact us here: https://sydneycitypsychology.com.au/contact/
#emotionaleating #mindfuleating #intuitiveeating #weightmanagement #foodpsychology #psychologypodcast #mentalhealthmatters
Join clinical psychologist, Dr Aspasia Karageorge, for a 10 minute dive into ADHD and how the experience for women may differ to that of men. Aspasia discusses symptom differences, treatment options, and special considerations for women. It is important to note that there are generalisations made in this podcast based on clinical experience and research findings, however every person's experience of ADHD has unique aspects that do not always match the broad generalisations made in this podcast. As always, take this information with an equal dose of curiosity and critical thinking. We hope that it sparks new insights and interest in the topic. Enjoy.
If you are interested in learning more about our Adult ADHD group, or to book in with a psychologist, our contact information can be found on the Sydney City Psychology website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au
Recorded in October 2022 in Australia, by Dr Aspasia Karageorge.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au
If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.
In Episode 6, we discuss eating problems. What are eating-related problems, and what are the sign to look out for? What supports are available, and when is psychology or medical intervention helpful? Join clinical psychologists Dr Veena Sothieson and Dr Aspasia Karageorge from Sydney City Psychology for a concise overview of eating and when eating behaviours may become a problem.
Recorded in August 2022 in Australia, between Dr Veena Sothieson and Dr Aspasia Karageorge.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.
An episode for all the men out there, focussing on men’s mental health and wellbeing. This episode is Part 2 of a conversation between Dr Zac Seidler, a leading men’s mental health expert and Director of Mental Health Training at Movember, and clinical psychologist, Dr Aspasia Karageorge. In this part of the conversation, Zac and Aspasia talk about men and emotions, parenting, masculinity and what it means with regard to mental health, and Zac shares some free online resources. Just like Part 1, it’s a wide-ranging chat filled with practical tips, and it is free to listen to on our website. Take a moment today to consider the men in your life, and to learn some ways to support them, notice signs of difficulty, and how to reach out to them to check in on their wellbeing. And don’t forget that Part 1 is also available for free (look for Episode 4 of 10 Minute Mood).
Recorded in December 2021 in Australia, between Dr Zac Seidler and Dr Aspasia Karageorge.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.
Episode 4 is all about men’s mental health. Dr Zac Seidler is a leading men’s mental health expert and Director of Mental Health Training at Movember, as well as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Orygen at The University of Melbourne. He spoke to Dr Aspasia Karageorge about the importance of focussing on men’s mental health, ways to talk with men about their wellbeing, men and emotions, tips for seeking and maintaining support systems, and how this moment is so crucial for men and anyone who has a male friend or loved one. It’s a wide-ranging chat filled with practical tips. Take a moment today to consider the men in your life, and to learn some ways to support them, notice signs of difficulty, and how to reach out to them to check in on their wellbeing. Note: this episode is 20 minutes long, despite the name ’10 Minute Mood’, because it was just too good to cut down. It will be followed by a Part 2.
For more resources regarding men’s mental health, check out the following: au.movember.com zacseidler.com
Recorded in December 2021 in Australia, between Dr Zac Seidler and Dr Aspasia Karageorge.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.
In this episode, clinical psychologist Natalie Glaser talks to Dr Russ Harris about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). What is it? How can it help? And how does it fit in with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
Russ is the author of the international bestselling book, The Happiness Trap, as well as the 8-week online course of the same name. If you’d like to speak with a psychologist about how ACT might benefit you or a loved one, contact us at Sydney CIty Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au
Recorded in October 2021 in Australia, between Natalie Glaser and Dr Russ Harris.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.
Join us for this episode called ‘resilience’. Our psychologist, Dr Aspasia Karageorge, provides a brief overview of resilience as a psychological concept, followed by a 6 minute guided exercise to connect into your own resilience. We are living in challenging and changing times, so take 10 minutes out of your day to focus on the part of you which can be strong and grounded in the face of challenge, but remain flexible enough to withstand the many changes happening every day.
Recorded in September 2021 in Sydney, Australia by Dr Aspasia Karageorge.
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If you would like to book a session with a psychologist, either online or face-to-face, get in touch with Sydney City Psychology today: info@sydneycitypsychology.com.au or see our website: www.sydneycitypsychology.com.au If you need urgent support, 24hr free crisis support is available in Australia at Lifeline, phone 13 11 14. If you are in another country, search for your local crisis support services online or call your local emergency services if needed.