This Complex Life Marie Vakakis

In this episode of This Complex Life, I chat with Simon Rinne, a lived experience therapist who specialises in men's mental health. Simon shares his personal story with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, and burnout, offering a unique perspective on the challenges men face when dealing with mental health issues. Simon and I explore how depression differs between men and women, societal and cultural factors, and the importance of supportive environments.
Key Topics Discussed:
1. Simon's personal journey with mental health and his passion for helping others.
2. Differences in how depression manifests in men and women.
3. Societal and cultural influences on men's mental health.
4. Common signs and symptoms of depression in men.
5. Barriers men face in seeking help and how to encourage them to seek support.
6. The impact of depression on daily life, relationships, and family dynamics.
7. Practical strategies for couples to support each other through mental health challenges.


1.      Simon on societal expectations for men:      
   - "Thinking back to those days, the keywords that come up for me, particularly for guys, is the suck it up, you know, culture in Australia."

2.      Simon on the role of anger in men's depression:     
   - "Anger is the one that comes to mind and, you know, whether it's family, domestic violence, or it's just, they just feel angry with the world. Maybe they're having workplace issues or relationship issues and anger is, is, is the culturally accepted way that guys know how to deal with this stuff."

3.      Simon on the importance of finding the right therapist:     
   - "Whenever I speak to someone, I say interview your therapist or do some research on your therapist before you go in there. Because if you go in there, oh, there's a psychologist, or they're a mental health social worker or counsellor, whoever, and they're not interested in male depression, why are you in there?"

Follow Simon Rinne:
- Website: https://mindful-men.com.au)
- Mindful Men Podcast: Available on all major podcast platforms.
Get the full show notes and transcript here
Submit a question to the Podcast
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Connect with Marie
https://thetherapyhub.com.au/
https://marievakakis.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast
https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6
Connect with Marie
https://thetherapyhub.com.au/
https://marievakakis.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

If you've ever wondered about the real reasons behind addiction or how to navigate social pressures around alcohol, this episode is for you. In this episode, I chat with Tara Herster, a psychologist specialising in addiction and substance use. Tara breaks down common myths about addiction and offers practical strategies for managing substance use, dealing with social pressures, and exploring sober dating. Her insights challenge the traditional views on addiction and provide a fresh perspective on coping mechanisms and building authentic connections without relying on substances.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Understanding Addiction Beyond the MythsAddiction isn't about weakness or moral failure; it's often a coping mechanism.Tara's path from high school to addiction specialist.Addiction Isn't a DiseaseAddiction as a learned behaviour for dealing with stress.Tara's experiences in an inpatient psychiatric hospital.Practical Strategies for Managing Substance UseThe HALT method: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired (plus Hydrated and Health).“Anytime we are engaging in something that we don’t necessarily want to do though we just find ourselves doing it in a mindless way it’s because of HALT.”Navigating Social Pressures Around AlcoholStrategies for handling social pressures.“I appreciate, I’m just not drinking today,” or “I’ve got antibiotics.”Sober Dating: Building Authentic ConnectionsTips for dating without alcohol.The FRIES acronym: Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.“You attract what you put out,” and “Building connections without substances can lead to more authentic relationships.”The Sober Curious MovementExploring life without alcohol.The trend among younger generations.
Quotes from the Episode:
Tara Hurster:“Anytime we are engaging in something that we don’t necessarily want to do though we just find ourselves doing it in a mindless way it’s because of HALT.”“Addiction is not an illness. It's not a weakness. It's not a disease. It is something that people have learned how to most effectively and most efficiently solve the problem of their experience.”
Resources Mentioned:
Alcohol and Drug Information Service: 1800 250 015, ADIS Website
Connect with Tara Hurster:
Website: Tara ClinicInstagram: @taraHurster
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful conversations on This Complex Life.
Get the full transcript here
Submit a question to the Podcast
https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Connect with Marie
https://thetherapyhub.com.au/
https://marievakakis.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

In this episode, I address a heartfelt question from a listener, a 62-year-old father who feels disconnected from his teenage daughters. He is eager to understand their changing interests and how to maintain a meaningful relationship despite feeling sidelined. I provide insights into adolescent development, effective communication strategies without emotional pressure, and the importance of evolving from a managerial to a consultant role in parenting.
Themes:Adolescent Development: Understanding the normal shifts in behaviour and interests as teenagers seek independence and form their own identities.Effective Communication: Strategies for engaging teenagers in a way that fosters connection rather than conflict, including the use of open-ended questions and avoiding criticism.Parental Role Adaptation: Transitioning from manager to consultant
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Adolescence: It's normal for teenagers to seek more peer interaction and explore personal interests as part of their development.Communication Techniques: Utilising less critical and more curious approaches can help maintain a connection with teenage children.Role Adjustment: Parents can adapt their roles and approaches as their children grow, moving towards a consultative role that respects the child's growing autonomy.
"As parents, your job shifts from being a manager to a consultant as your child grows." — Marie
"Effective communication is about curiosity, not criticism." — Marie


SIGN up for Connected Teens
https://marievakakis.com.au/courses/connected-teens/

Submit a question to the Podcast
https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Connect with Marie
https://thetherapyhub.com.au/
https://marievakakis.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

In this episode of "This Complex Life," I speak with Dr Lucy, We delve into the profound relationship between our mindset, eating habits, and overall well-being. Dr. Lucy, a dedicated medical practitioner and co-founder of Real Life Medicine, sheds light on the importance of understanding the psychology behind our eating patterns and moving beyond diet-centric approaches to foster a life filled with joy, energy, and health.
Whether you're struggling with diet culture, seeking sustainable health solutions, or curious about the psychological aspects of eating, this conversation might be just what you need
Themes:
The Psychology of Eating: Exploring the impact of mindset on our eating habits and how societal pressures and diet culture contribute to our food choices.Beyond Dieting: A discussion on why focusing solely on weight loss is not the answer and how Real Life Medicine approaches health and well-being.Empowerment Through Knowledge: Understanding the role of processed foods, stress, and emotional well-being in our health journey.
Key Takeaways:
Mindset Matters: Our psychological state plays a significant role in our eating habits, influencing both our food choices and our relationship with food.The Fallacy of Diet Culture: Dr. Lucy highlights the limitations of dieting and the importance of focusing on overall health rather than just weight loss.Navigating Stress and Emotions: The conversation uncovers practical strategies for managing stress and emotional triggers that affect our eating patterns.

Featured Quotes:
"When you understand why you eat, that's the biggest piece of the puzzle." – Dr. Lucy"Processed food steals the joy of real food." – Dr. Lucy"Eating is not a team sport; it's an individual pursuit." – Dr. Lucy

About your guest
Dr Lucy is passionate about health. She helps women who have tried every diet under the sun optimise their health and achieve long lasting weight loss by improving metabolism and managing mindset so they can reduce the effects of chronic disease, have more energy and confidence and stop living life on the sidelines.
She was an “expert dieter” and an “expert emotional eater”. She developed obesity, fatty liver and pre-diabetes. As a medical doctor, this was mortifying.  She has completely abandoned traditional dieting and embraces a real food lifestyle.
Dr Lucy is a medical doctor, a lifestyle medicine physician, and is trained in many facets of psychological medicine including hypnotherapy.
She runs online holistic health and weight programs with her colleague Dr Mary Barson. They have now helped thousands of women reclaim their health. They are both very real and relatable and embody their company name - Real Life Medicine

Read the full transcript here

Mentioned Links and Resources:
Website https://www.rlmedicine.com/
 
The 12 week Mind Body Rebalancejoin the  wait list
https://www.rlmedicine.com/12WMBR
 
Free Ebook Weight Loss is all about Hormones
https://www.rlmedicine.com/weightloss-ebook
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/reallifemedicine
Instagram...

In this episode, I address a listener's question on how to support a daughter through the trauma of sexual assault with sensitivity and without adding to her burden. 
Themes:
Responding to Sexual Assault: Understanding the significance of a supportive response and how it can influence a survivor's recovery journey.Practical Tips for Support: I discuss tangible steps and strategies for supporting survivors, emphasising autonomy, safe spaces, and the importance of consent even in familial interactions.Navigating the Healing Process: Insights into the healing journey, acknowledging the uniqueness of each survivor's experience and the importance of patience and personal care in recovery.
Key Takeaways:
Believe and Support: The paramount importance of believing the survivor and offering unconditional support, understanding, and empathy.Empowering Autonomy: Strategies to empower survivors by offering choices and respecting their autonomy in the healing process.Self-care for Supporters: The necessity for supporters to seek their own support, recognising the impact of secondary trauma and ensuring they are well-equipped to provide sustained assistance.
Featured Quotes:
"Your support is crucial, and you can support them by believing them, being a good listener, and never blaming them." – Marie Vakakis"Approach with care and allow as much autonomy and choice as you can." – Marie Vakakis"Listen actively and with empathy, allowing her to express thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment." – Marie Vakakis
Mentioned Links and Resources:
1-800-RESPECT: A national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service for Australians.https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/mandatory-reporting-child-abuse-and-neglecthttps://fullstop.org.au/get-help/our-services
The Get Ready for Therapy Journal Here https://thetherapyhub.com.au/the-journal-pdf/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/
https://marievakakis.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/