<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Begonia Counselling & Support]]></title><description><![CDATA[Begonia Counselling & Support offers neuroaffirming counselling for parents and carers of children with special needs. In-person Ballarat & telehealth]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:55:49 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Understanding Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)]]></title><description><![CDATA[ARFID has gained recognition for its complexity and diverse presentation. What is ARFID? For many families mealtimes can become stressful, confusing, and emotionally exhausting when a child consistently refuses food. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (AFRID) is more than "picky eating." It is a clinically recognised eating disorder involving persistent restriction of food intake that can affect a child's growth, nutrition, and daily functioning. Unlike other eating disorders such as...]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/post/understanding-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder-arfid</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c62b8522d641c5fbafe77</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:11:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5183a_e56fc92c1b454aedb8c26efd5152bea1~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jade Padgham</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Top Strategies for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA): A Parent's Guide to Support and Coping Strategies]]></title><description><![CDATA[What is Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)?  Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile within the autism spectrum disorder, characterized by an intense need to avoid everyday demands  and a heightened anxiety-driven need for control. Unlike other forms of autism, children with PDA often resist demands not due to a lack of understanding, but because of overwhelming anxiety triggered by the demand itself (Dundon, 2021;Fidler et al. 2015). Key features include: ·       Avoidance of...]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/post/7-top-strategies-for-pathological-demand-avoidance-pda-a-parent-s-guide-to-support-and-coping-str</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c631d2c80129225d5d0b2</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:32:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="http://youtu.be/-UWDlHlg3iA" length="0" type="video"/><dc:creator>Jade Padgham</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Emotional Self-Care for Parents of Neurodivergent Children | Tips &#38; Strategies]]></title><description><![CDATA[Carers of neurodiverse children face significant challenges that can negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Research highlights multiple unmet needs among these parents, including barriers to community engagement, strained relationships, financial stress, and emotional burnout ]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/post/emotional-self-care-for-parents-of-neurodiverse-children-tips-strategies</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c6670b3cf8ba2384a9630</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:17:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5183a_2d4158f5ad7e49c0afb831a0d837c73c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jade Padgham</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Carer Burnout: Here's How to Recognize and Recover]]></title><description><![CDATA[Caring for a loved one can be profoundly rewarding but also emotionally and physically demanding. When the stress of caregiving becomes overwhelming, it can lead to carer's burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. Understanding what carer's burnout is, why it happens, and how to recover is crucial for maintaining both personal well-being and the quality of care provided.]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/post/carer-burnout-here-s-how-to-recognize-and-recover</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c60a6ccf6db790cb246e2</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:04:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5183a_d6b4b1875f6d418ab224c1e699c0542b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jade Padgham</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Managing Stress and Anxiety in Carers: Effective Therapy Strategies]]></title><description><![CDATA[Carers of individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities often experience significant stress and anxiety, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed, frustrated, and emotionally drained. This emotional burden is particularly common among caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia, dementia, and cancer.]]></description><link>https://www.begoniacounselling.com.au/post/managing-stress-and-anxiety-in-carers-effective-therapy-strategies</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697c6046afd4a3da350c0596</guid><pubDate>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:05:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d5183a_182901aa53aa453a8845600a100facdd~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jade Padgham</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>