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.