Emerald Tree Psychological Services

WE ARE ALL JANE DOE.

Right now, the world is watching the case of a young woman at Cornell University who has come forward as “Jane Doe”, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity members.

Her case has sparked outrage—not only because of the allegations themselves, but because of what happened afterwards.

The investigation was initially closed without criminal charges. Her decision to bring a civil lawsuit brought the allegations back into the public spotlight. The investigation has now been reopened, and New York's Attorney General has been appointed special prosecutor.

And now women across the world are saying:

I AM JANE DOE.
Not because we are claiming to be this particular woman.

But because so many of us understand what it means to be a woman navigating sexual violence, fear, disbelief, shame and the consequences of speaking up.
Australia is not exempt from this conversation.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1 in 5 Australian women have experienced sexual assault since the age of 15 - That's approximately 2 million women.

And 85% of women who experienced sexual assault by a male knew the perpetrator. He isn't always a stranger in a dark alley.

He can be someone she knows.
Someone she trusted.
A friend.
A partner.
A colleague.
Someone from school or university.
Someone who was supposed to be safe.

That is why the conversation happening in America matters here.

Because sexual violence isn't an American problem.

It isn't a university problem.

It isn't a women's problem.

It is a societal problem.

And the question we should be asking isn't only:

"Why didn't she speak up?"

We should be asking:

Why are women still afraid to speak?

Why are survivors still questioned before perpetrators are?

Why does institutional reputation so often become part of the equation?

And what are we teaching our sons about consent, power, accountability and what it means to be a decent man?

This is not about convicting someone on social media.

It is about believing survivors enough to properly investigate allegations, protecting people who come forward, and refusing to normalise sexual violence.

We all are Jane Doe

🌳 Exploring the Power of Journaling for Mental Health 🌳

In three months commit too positive action. 🫰

As psychotherapists and wellbeing advocates, we often get asked about effective ways to manage mental health. One valuable practice we recommend is journaling. It can work wonders for your well-being! Here's why:

💚 Lighten Your Emotional Load: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you unload some of the emotional weight you carry. It's like sharing your burdens with a trusted friend - only that friend is you.

✅️ Spot Thought Patterns: Journaling allows you to spot recurring thought patterns. This insight can be a game-changer in understanding and managing your emotions.

🍀 Transform Self-Talk: By journaling, you can replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations. It's a powerful way to boost your self-esteem and overall mental health.

🐸 Emotions vs. Thoughts: Sometimes, we confuse emotions with thoughts. Journaling helps you untangle these, providing clarity on what's truly bothering you.

Give journaling a try, and you might be surprised at the positive impact it can have on your well-being. 📖🍃

Seeds of greatness, goodness and kindness. Let's reignite. Let that be the revolution 🌳

🌧️ GEELONG WEATHER UPDATE: Apparently it’s SPRING.

The flowers are blooming. 🌸
The birds are singing. 🐦
And the sky has decided to empty the entire contents of Port Phillip Bay on us. 😂

Welcome to Spring of Deception, where the forecast says spring but your backyard says monsoon season.

Geelong: 4 seasons? Nah. We get them all before lunchtime. 🤣

Enjoy your day 💚

Over 21 years of providing psychological therapies and EAP support to the Geelong region.

10 years ago we moved into our Pakington Street Head office and clinic... Hard work can look a lot like luck 💚🌳

Following your dreams is rarely easy but the satisfaction and achievement can be rewarding.
Self-care isn't always about bubble baths. It can be about being your best, trying doing hardest and achieving your long-term goals.

But the biggest lesson is not giving up when it's hard.

Brace yourself. The posts about daylightsavingsarecoming...

🌿 Emily’s September Recap 💚

A little glimpse into September through clinician Emily’s camera roll!

🐾 A visit from Abraham, our favourite four-legged wellbeing assistant.
☁️ A beautiful blue sky at the end of the day, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the little things.
🎨 A nearly finished artwork, because sometimes creativity is the perfect way to unwind.
📚 A little stack of books, because there’s always room for one more story.

September has been a lovely reminder that wellbeing can be found in the small moments, whether that’s creativity, connection, a good book or simply taking a breath at the end of a busy day.

💬 We want to know… which September moment speaks to you most?

1. 🐶 Puppy cuddles
2. ☁️ A moment of calm
3. 🎨 Getting creative
4. 📖 Getting lost in a good book

Tell us your number in the comments! 💚

Burnout is more than having a stressful week.
We all experience stress. A busy period, a demanding project, family responsibilities, or a difficult season of life can leave us feeling overwhelmed.

But when stress becomes ongoing, and there isn't enough time or opportunity to recover, something can begin to change.

Burnout can look like:

🧠 Feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted
😴 Being tired even after resting
😶 Becoming detached, numb, or cynical
💭 Finding it harder to concentrate or make decisions
📉 Feeling less effective or questioning your abilities
❤️ Losing interest in things you normally enjoy

And often, it doesn't happen overnight.

It can start with:

"I'm just having a busy week."

Then the busy week becomes a busy month.

Eventually, exhaustion can start to feel normal.

So instead of asking only:

“How stressed am I?”

It may be worth asking:

“What is this level of stress doing to me over time?”

Am I recovering—or simply pushing through?

Am I still enjoying the things that matter to me?

Has my capacity, patience, motivation, or connection with others changed?

Burnout isn't simply about needing to “try harder” or become better at coping.

Sometimes, the bigger question is whether the demands, expectations, and opportunities for recovery are sustainable.

Noticing the signs is not failure.

It can be the beginning of paying attention to what your mind and body have been telling you.

For over 21 years, as our clients know, we have been here for our community through it all. And we would do it again in a heartbeat.💚

It's not just a job but a passion.
We hope you find this space full of comfort and peace.

Somewhere we can shut the doors and keep the nasty's at bay (for all of us) and learn to find the joy and ourselves again 🙏🌳