The following programs are currently being run and evaluated by the Health Psychology Unit, both at our centre and on-site at various educational institutions:

1. Taking Charge
2. Stress Management for HSC
3. Personal Power – managing anger and frustration

All programs are offered free of charge and are conducted by registered psychologists.

Taking Charge

The "Taking Charge" program is run in groups for students in years 10, 11 and 12 who are experiencing high levels of stress, or symptoms of anxiety or depression.  The program runs for eight weekly sessions of 1½ hours each, and aims to teach participants a range of coping strategies to help them manage some of the challenges that they are dealing with.

The program targets students who may be experiencing some of the following:

• feeling worried or anxious
• feeling down or depressed
• lacking self-confidence
• problems with peers, family or school
• withdrawal from friends or family
• physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems and exhaustion.
• concerns about the future

The program aims to equip participants with various practical strategies to help them manage their mood, solve problems and overcome obstacles to making progress. “Taking Charge”  is run in groups of six to 10 students over eight weekly sessions that run for 1½ hours each. Within a friendly and supportive environment participants learn a range of coping strategies and talk to others who are experiencing similar problems or situations.

Topics covered in the program include:

• identifying the triggers to stress reactions
• problem solving
• challenging self-defeating thoughts and ‘self-talk’
• setting goals
• effective communication
• mood enhancing techniques
• improving self-esteem
• managing anxiety

The "Taking Charge" program is run at the Health Psychology Unit, UTS, located at the Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards*. The program is also available on-site at some schools and colleges (subject to location and adequate participant numbers).

Program participants are asked to complete some questionnaires before and after attending the program, for the purposes of evaluating its effectiveness.

*Participation in group programs is subject to some eligibility criteria.

All programs are available free of charge and are run by registered psychologists.

Contact Us:

For more information or application forms call the Health Psychology Uni on  9514 4309

Or email: rachael.murrihy@uts.edu.au   

Stress Management for HSC

The “Taking Charge of Stress in HSC” program is run in small groups for students in years 11 and 12 who are undertaking the HSC, or HSC subjects.  The program runs for four weekly sessions of 1½ hours per session, and aims to provide participants with a range of coping strategies to help them manage some of the challenges associated with Year 12

The program targets students who may be experiencing some of the following:

• high levels of stress, anxiety or frustration
• depressed mood
• difficulties with time management
• procrastination
• poor concentration
• withdrawal from friends or family
• physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep problems and exhaustion.

The program is run in small groups. Within a friendly and supportive environment participants learn coping strategies and talk to other students who are experiencing similar situations. Topics covered in the program include:

• understanding the stress reaction
• identifying personal stressors
• identifying and challenging self-defeating thoughts, or ‘self-talk’
• problem solving and positive actions for reducing stress
• relaxation techniques
• goal setting

The "Taking Charge of Stress in HSC" program is run at the Health Psychology Unit, UTS, located at the Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards. The program is also available on-site at various schools and colleges, subject to location and adequate participant numbers.

Alternatively, a single information seminar (1-2 hours, for up to 150 students) or workshop (for up to 30 students) can be arranged on-site at schools and colleges.

As the program is being evaluated, participants are asked to complete some questionnaires before and after attending the program.

All programs are available free of charge and are run by qualified psychologists.

Contact Us:

For more information or application forms call the Health Psychology Uni on  9514 4309

Or email:  rachael.murrihy@uts.edu.au

Personal Power:  Taking Charge over Anger and Frustration

"Personal Power" is an 8-week program that is run in small groups of students aged between 15 and 18 years. Sessions are held weekly for 1½ hours each. The program is offered to young people whose anger or frustration is causing them difficulties such as:

• impulsive behaviour
• aggression
• problems with family, friends, school or the law
• depressed mood
• inhibited problem solving
• self-defeating behaviour

Participants learn a range of cognitive behavioural (CBT) strategies to help them manage their mood and behaviour. Personal Power encourages participants to use their own decision-making abilities to override unhelpful automatic responses. The emphasis is on learning greater self-control and making rational choices when confronted with frustrating situations.

The program is practical and skill-based. Participants learn how they respond to anger emotionally, cognitively, physiologically and behaviourally. Techniques are tailored to each participant’s experience of anger, and include:

• identifying the cycle of anger
• strategies for short-circuiting the escalation of anger
• identifying and challenging anger provoking self-talk.
• relaxation techniques
• assertion  and communication skills

The Personal Power program is run at the Health Psychology Unit, UTS, located at the Royal North Shore Hospital, St. Leonards. It is also available on-site at schools and colleges, subject to location and adequate participant numbers.

As the program is being evaluated, participants are asked to complete some questionnaires before and after attending the program.

Participation in the Personal Power program is subject to some eligibility criteria.

All programs are available free of charge and are run by qualified psychologists.

Contact Us:

For more information or application forms call the Health Psychology Uni on  9514 4309

Or email: rachael.murrihy@uts.edu.au