Focus welcomes David Taplin

David joined Focus Psychology in May 2010 as a consulting psychologist with over 22 years experience. David shows warmth and genuine empathy in helping people to live their lives more fully. In addition to private practice, he has worked in hospitals, mental health services, schools and university services to assist people whose lives have been effected by anxiety, depression, grief or trauma.

David has a particular interest in fathering and working with men and boys to achieve healthier emotional lives and relationships. This male perspective in therapy is particularly evident in the success David achieves with adolescents and young men. David has also worked in Health Service and Education Management and consults with executives and managers to achieve better outcomes while maintaining good mental health.

Teens and Family Dinners

Researchers from the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse found that teens who have family dinners fewer than three times a week - compared with those who have family dinners five or more times a week - were much more likely to use drugs and alcohol and have less academic success. Teens who say they have family dinners but that there are distractions at the table also have higher rates of substance abuse than teens who have frequent family dinners without interruptions.

September 23 2009 from the National Center of Addiction & Substance Abuse

Study Links Cannabis Use With Psychosis

Young adults who used marijuana as teens were more likely than those who didn't to develop schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms, a seven year Australian study found.

Those who used the drug for six or more years were twice as likely to develop a psychosis such as schizophrenia or to have delusional disorders than those who never used it.

Research involving more than 3,800 young adults, released online by the Archives of General Psychiatry, found long-term users were also four times more likely to have psychotic-like experiences.

The findings build on previous research by author John McGrath Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland. The study was the first to look at sibling pairs to discount genetic or envionmental influence and still find marijuana linked to later psychosis, the authors said.

"This is the most convincing evidence yet that the earlier you use cannabis, the more likely you are to have symptoms of a psychotic illness," said Dr McGrath, a professor a the institute in a statement.

The study also showed that among 228 sibling pairs, those who didn't use marijuana reported fewer psychotic-like delusions compared with those who used cannabis. That difference was statistically significant and reduces the likelihood that the psychotic problems caused by genetics or environment, the authors said.

Lillians story- a battle with depression and surviving!

My name is Lillian. I am a senior. Lyn asked me to write my story so here it is !


I have had depression and anxiety for years, and in hindsight had it as a young school girl but did not recognise it until much later in life. My depression has been caused by anxiety and low self esteem, and has been triggered usually by a worrying event, such as a loss, or a death or a situation that has weighed me down to the extent where I have dwelt on it so much that the chemicals in my brain have changed. Some say I may be pre-disposed to depression or it is genetic, and I have felt that I want to blame someone for it, but the bottom line is I have it and have to deal with it and I know that is it treatable and not just something you can just "snap out it".


There are professionals who can help. I required medication, but have also sought help from 'Focus' and learned techniques of breathing and meditation and letting go of worrying thoughts and to stay in the moment. I have had to work through panic attacks which at times I thought 'I can't breath - this is it, I'm going to die' and nocturnal panic attacks can be terrifying. Well - I'm still here!


I have learned slow breathing and to recognise the positives instead of the negatives and to focus on what I am doing in the moment. Writing down positives each day far outweighed the negatives. I listen to meditation CD's or sit quietly and visualise myself in another place and time that I'd really like to be in.


With behavioural therapy I can identify my anxieties and say to myself when it effects me physically 'Im ok, I'm just dizzy, nothing will happen to me, just focus on the breath. I won't let this get out of control'. A lot of self talk helps, so does a mental stop sign and a lot of exercise.. Nothing is just handed to us in life and I have had to work at getting well each day.



I can say after many months, even years, I'm actually enjoying life and from any depression I have been through, I have learned something positive and grown from it. I cannot waste my life worrying about things that haven't even happened, it is too draining and saps my energy, but I feel now I'm living each day as it comes. There maybe some lows along the way, but I feel I now have the tools to help me through those times, always focusing on the way I breath. I am now trying to build on all I have learned and believe in it. It is real.....Don't forget to breath!!!.....Lillian