Dr Maala Lal - our friend the Clinical Psychologist

Mental illness will affect 1 in 5 Australians in any one year. The most common illnesses include depression and anxiety. More than half of these people will not access treatment. Depression can feel like being constantly down or unable to function, irritable, unhappy, lacking confidence. You may think, “I’m a failure”, “Nothing good ever happens to me”. You may also feel tired, rundown, experience sleep problems or changes to appetite. Anxiety may feel like it effects functioning and that it is ‘taking over’. You may experience panic attacks, quick breathing, hot and cold flushes. You may catastrophize, fear or worry excessively. You may also start to avoid situations or social outings. These are just a few symptoms, and everyone may feel these time to time, however if they go on for longer than 2-3 weeks, it is probably time to see your GP. Approximately 1 in 5 new mothers will experience depression and approximately half of them are diagnosed while pregnant. Many new mums will experience such a range of emotions at this joyous yet challenging time. They may report feeling euphoric, isolated, inadequate, guilty, overwhelmed and depressed. It may be confusing to understand whether you are going through the ‘baby blues’ or something more serious. The baby blues can effect as much as 85% of women in the first couple of weeks of becoming a mother, 25% of these women may go on to developing postnatal depression. Perinatal depression and anxiety is treatable. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you will feel better.

Dr. Maala Lal (Ph.D.) is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years’ experience, whom has recently joined the group of clinicians at Kirralinde, Drummoyne Therapy Centre. She has an empathetic, compassionate approach and can support you if you are going through a difficult time. She has a special interest in women’s mental health and well-being.

Maala provides counselling to adults, children and adolescents. She offers assessment, treatment and management of a range of problems, including:

Eating disorders Body image problems

Depression and mood disorders Anxiety disorders and panic

Postnatal depression and anxiety Anger management

Relationship issues Domestic violence

Abuse Stress, conflict and tension

Grief and loss Separation and divorce

Trauma Self-esteem

She uses a variety of treatment approaches in her care for her clients. This is because she understands every client is different and will require a unique style of management. She has been trained in the following treatment approaches:

Cognitive behavioural therapy Acceptance and commitment therapy

Mindfulness and relaxation Motivational interviewing

Dialectical behaviour therapy Interpersonal psychotherapy

You can contact Maala on 0410044402 or email maala.lal@outlook.com for enquiries or to make an appointment.