Patricia Boyhan
Family Therapist
AHPRA & AAFT Registered Supervisor

My best advice to myself, family members and clients is to continue planning for the future, even though we may have to change plans due to restrictions coming and going.  By holding hope for the future, I believe we help ourselves to remain resilient.

I am mindful of Martin Seligman’s quote in ‘Authentic Happiness’ – “Optimistic people tend to interpret their troubles as transient, controllable, and specific to one situation.  Pessimistic people, in contrast, believe their troubles last forever, undermine everything they do, and are uncontrollable.”

I do not mean to minimize the stress people are feeling, e.g., loss of employment and businesses; being separated from loved ones, especially at significant times in our lives; mental health challenges, deaths and health issues related to COVID; and so it goes on.  However, we MUST believe there is hope for the future and do what we can by getting vaccinated so we can make a contribution to our own, and community welfare.