FIVE QUESTIONS is where we ask members of the community to talk about how they stay HEALTHY. Clinical Psychologist Monique Cohen stays healthy by being proactive with her health.

1. What did you eat yesterday?

I tend to eat when I’m hungry and as I’m rarely hungry in the morning, I rarely eat breakfast. If I do, it tends to be raw fruit like banana or figs. No breakfast yesterday. For lunch I had a banana and some figs (I love fruit!…..I think I was a possum in a past life)  and steamed salmon and avocado on rye bread. Dinner was a fillet steak with broccoli and snow peas. If I’m working late (which sometimes happens) dinner may morph into warm Weetbix, banana and milk.

2. What exercise did you do yesterday?

Walked the dogs around the area to meet with their doggy friends and their humans, sniff many interesting things and do their maintenance stuff. Walked about 6km admiring nature all around us.

3. When did you last see a primary health professional?

I saw my GP last week to get some needed scripts. I’m very proactive with taking care of my health so I have regular blood pressure checks, yearly skin cancer checks etc.

4. What do you do to improve your mental health?

I’m a clinical psychologist specialising in child and adolescent psychotherapy.  My practice, Journey Psychology in Sutherland, focuses on a Winnicottian approach using the medium of play therapy.  I worked as a therapist in Juvenile Justice for over ten years and then started my own practice in the Sutherland Shire after having my own children and needing to work closer to home. I’ve been working for over 30 years.

I love my work and get such a brilliant buzz connecting with my clients and when I see them and their families improving!! However, it can be emotionally taxing and often hard to maintain the balance of work, family and self-care. I book at least two holiday breaks a year in advance. Otherwise, I find that time is like a runaway train and before I know it I’m working too much and body and mind are screaming on the floor for some rest!

This year two weeks in Southern Highlands in June and two weeks in Blackheath in September. Walking with my adorable dogs is a regular must (yes, they come on holidays with me). Surrounding myself with music and books (a mix of Sci-Fi and work related) and making regular time to be with my wonderful family and precious friends are very important for my mental health. Immersing myself in nature and my love of animals is also important.

5. What are your health goals for the next month?

Play more piano! It’s a great way to tame the arthritis! Keep walking, reading and being with my dogs. Wrapping my mind around my work interests (currently exploring the mind and emotions of a fetus) and seeking acts of kindness and funniness in the world.

Read previous ‘FIVE QUESTIONS’ here

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