Memory therapy at healing centre

Ms Donna Markwell has begun Positive Memory Therapy at Gnostic Healing Centre, in Woy Woy.

Ms Markwell's describes Positive Memory Therapy as "the process of remembering positive events and emotions to improve moods, perspectives and behaviours."

She said that the therapy is effective in treating an array of different problems, including low self-esteem, phobias, substance abuse, self-harming, and adjustment disorders.

Addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling are also treatable.

Ms Markwell has been on the Central Coast for nine months and was previously employed in the mental health area at the Gosford and Wyong Hospitals.

She is also involved in work linked with a community centre in Umina which involves "helping to redirect youth...and set them on the right path".

Her role in the field of mental health involves everything from acute assessment of patients and on-going support to counseling and work inside the community.

Originally from Sydney, Donna moved to the Woy Woy area to be closer to her family.

She said that "it is a beautiful place to live" and she hoped to make it even better through the efforts of her work.

Ms Markwell, a registered mental health nurse for 15 years, soon discovered a growing need for her expertise in the local area.

She commented that depression in the elderly is a large issue and that a lot of people "suffer in silence".

Ms Markwell quoted the World Health Organisation's statistics for depression, saying studies "estimate that by 2020 it will become the second highest killer for the developed world behind those related to the heart.

"Depression," she continued, "is also strongly linked to cardiac issues."

Ms Markwell has had experience in aged care and said she can definitely help people to have a richer life.

She remarked that it is "always good to get advice...and having someone to talk to always helps".

She has seen patients with strong anxiety disorders "turn their lives around in only months".

Sessions can go from 30 to 50 minutes, and she said that people usually see "real changes in four to six sessions."

Ms Markwell is currently completing her masters degree at the University of Newcastle and she plans to release a book "Positive Memory Therapy: Hold That Thought" next month.

Aaron Goldsmith, April 7