Welcome to the AIPC Online Article Library. The library includes over 300 articles focusing on counselling, life effectiveness skills and mental health. We invite you to explore our range of articles by clicking the category links above, or using the drop-down menu on your right. To learn more about AIPC, visit www.aipc.net.au

Understanding Client Wellbeing

There are a wide range of factors that can impact how an individual perceives wellbeing, including their culture, and this perception can shift depending on their present circumstances and their life experiences. In other words, this also means that there are many different models and frameworks that attempt to explain the concept of wellbeing and its components. One of the models is SEWB model – Social and Emotional Wellbeing Model, which is commonly used to understand wellbeing and how to promote the different aspects of an individual’s wellbeing. Social and emotional wellbeing is a term preferred by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe the wellbeing of an individual. They perceive that health, or wellbeing, does not concern only the physical wellbeing of a... »

Workplace Burnout: Causes, Effects, Solutions

In recent times, the lines between work and home life have become increasingly blurred. The pandemic has seen many of us working longer hours, worrying about job security, looking after children during the working day, or experiencing significant changes in our means of social interaction. A study by Gartner (2021) revealed that only 9% of workers are currently considered engaged. Furthermore, the Australian Human Resources Institute (2021) found that only 15% of workers are consistently thriving, and 43% are “really struggling” or “not feeling bad, but just getting by”. Asana’s (2021) research found that 77% of employees experienced burnout. As prevalent as burnout is, it is often misunderstood, stigmatised, and costly to employees’ wellbeing and productivity. Workplace burnout ... »

Understanding Mental Health

Mental health can be defined as a wellbeing state whereby individuals realise their own potential. They could also cope with the common stresses of life and able to work in a fruitful and productive manner while contributing to their community in positive manner (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d., as cited in Queensland Health, 2017). It is often viewed as a positive concept related to social and emotional wellbeing of individuals and their communities. However, mental health exists on a continuum and is not fixed; it could range from an individual functioning healthily to another individual experiencing severe symptoms of mental health conditions. These mental health conditions are also known as mental health disorders or mental illnesses. Mental Health in Australia »

Nature’s Effect on our Mental Health

If you’ve ever been stressed, anxious, or just feeling a little blue, you know that it can be tough to find the motivation to get out of the house and into nature. But check this out: several studies have found that being in nature for even short periods of time can have a positive effect on our mental health. For example, one study found that women who looked at pictures of nature for two minutes had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol (Gillespie, et al., 2019). Another study showed that people who walked in a forest preserve showed lower levels of hostility, aggression and anxiety than they did before the walk. How is this possible, and how can we most effectively reap the mental health benefits that nature offers? »

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Counselling with Chimps

The Chimp Paradox, authored by Steve Peters (2013), presents a compelling exploration of the Human mind and its intricate workings. Peters, a psychiatrist most renowned for his work in elite sports psychology, introduces readers to a captivating mode...

The Fine Art of Compassion

Imagine this scenario: you are keen to get a particular job and an opportunity for it comes up. You prepare meticulously for the interview, but somehow, it doesn’t go well. The interviewers don’t seem to warm to you, and you know in your heart that y...

Motivational Interviewing for Allied Health Professionals: Unlocking Client Motivation for Lasting Change

“How can I effectively motivate my patients?” This question resonates throughout the healthcare landscape. Whether you’re a physiotherapist guiding patients through rehabilitation exercises or a dietitian encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, elic...

The Fine Art of Compassion

Imagine this scenario: you are keen to get a particular job and an opportunity for it comes up. You prepare meticulously for the interview, but somehow, it doesn’t go well. The interviewers don’t seem to warm to you, and you know in your heart that y...