Anthia Koullouros

Anthia Koullouros Welcome to Apothēca
founded by Anthia Koullouros, Naturopath & Herbalist. ANTHIA KOULLOUROS BHSC ND DBM DH MATMS

Home to Anthia’s Naturopathic Clinic & Apothecary in Surry Hills, Sydney, offering Apothēca Organic Teas, Tisanes & Natural Remedies, as well as Akadēmeia Courses & Programs.

What do you need right now?For some of us, there is a long ummm… before the answer comes.Yet ask what someone we love ne...
06/10/2026

What do you need right now?

For some of us, there is a long ummm… before the answer comes.

Yet ask what someone we love needs and we know immediately.

We notice the shift in their mood. The change in their voice. The silence. The tension. We anticipate what they might need and adjust ourselves accordingly.

Over time, we can become extraordinarily good at reading everyone else and much less familiar with reading ourselves.

It is tiring to live with one eye always on someone else’s emotional weather.

This is something I see often in my clinical work, particularly when illness asks a person to rest, say no, cancel plans, accept help, or put their own needs first.

My latest piece explores enmeshment and healing, and the possibility of remaining deeply connected to the people we love while still making room for ourselves.

Perhaps notice today:

Whose mood do I check first when I walk into a room?

And then ask:

What do I need right now?

Read the full article on my Substack (free) - https://anthiakoullouros.substack.com/p/enmeshment-and-healing

06/10/2026

Women are often the default operational system for whole families, remembering birthdays, doctor appointments, who’s struggling, and what’s running out in the fridge.

It holds communities together, but it comes at a cost. When I ask women who can list everyone else's needs off the top of their head, "What do you actually enjoy? What would you do today if nobody needed anything from you?" There's usually a long, quiet pause.

If you've forgotten what restores you, take this as a gentle sign to check back in with yourself.

Listen or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/_vr5yuHXA-w

05/10/2026

Next time guilt hits you for setting a boundary, ask yourself this: "Have I actually done something wrong, or have I simply done something different?"

There’s a massive distinction between the two. Loving your family doesn't mean becoming a carbon copy of them. As Kahlil Gibran put it, true connection needs "spaces in our togetherness", closeness with a bit of fresh air in between.

You're allowed to be there for your people and still have space to breathe yourself.

Listen or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/_vr5yuHXA-w

Stuff I have been thinking about lately with patients.When we live out of alignment, the nervous system receives two opp...
04/10/2026

Stuff I have been thinking about lately with patients.

When we live out of alignment, the nervous system receives two opposing messages: the mind and body feels fatigue, hunger, fear or sadness, while the outside demands productivity, compliance and the suppression of our needs.

02/10/2026

Can you make a decision your family doesn't agree with and still stay connected to them? Can someone be disappointed in you without you spending the rest of your day trying to fix their mood?

If these questions give you a bit of a lump in your throat, you’re not alone. Many of us grew up becoming human hyper-detectives, reading every room, tracking every sigh, and keeping the peace at our own expense.

Learning where you end and your family begins isn't selfish. It’s just healthy adulthood.

Listen or watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/_vr5yuHXA-w

01/10/2026

Picture this…You're recovering from an illness or managing chronic symptoms, yet you find yourself constantly worried about whether you're doing enough for others. That’s enmeshment, and it can have a real impact on the healing journey. Instead of taking the time and space to heal, it leaves you torn between your own health needs and fulfilling commitments to family or friends.

In this episode, we cover:

What enmeshment is, and why it matters to the healing journey.
How to understand and prioritise your own needs.
When to advocate for yourself.

Understanding Enmeshment: What’s Going On?

Enmeshment happens when the lines between your needs and those of others blur, often feeling like a deep connection. This dynamic can leave you focused outward, neglecting your own needs, which can hinder recovery and well-being.

Differentiation: Getting to Know You

To truly nurture yourself, you need to embrace differentiation. It’s about asking yourself, ‘What do I truly need right now?’ While it might seem challenging if you’re used to prioritising others, it's crucial for fostering healthy relationships and self-care.

When Health Demands Priority

During times of illness, putting yourself first is paramount. Yet, the guilt of needing others to adjust can be overwhelming. Recognising and prioritising your own needs is not only okay. It’s a vital part of healing.

Checking Inwards: A New Habit

Many of us have been conditioned to focus on others' needs first. When was the last time you paused and asked, “What do I need today?” Creating a habit of self-reflection can spark profound change.

Finding Balance Between Caring for Others and Yourself

While caring for others is invaluable, it's essential not to lose yourself in the process. Recognising and addressing your needs helps maintain balance and prevent burnout.

Understanding enmeshment and embracing differentiation can transform your approach to health and relationships.

Take the Next Step in Your Journey

If you are looking for deeper support, exclusive resources, and a community of like-minded people dedicated to thriving, the Staying Healthy Together Club is designed just for you. This is your space to take the concepts from the podcast and put them into daily practice with guided tools and real connection.

Unlock your access and let's keep growing, learning, and staying healthy together!

http://akademeiabyanthia.thinkific.com/bundles/StayingHealthyTogether

Highlights

01:25 What Do You Need
02:45 Spotting Enmeshment
04:19 How It Starts Young
06:06 Illness Reveals Patterns
07:53 Differentiation in Practice
09:22 When Quiet Feels Hard
10:32 Pursuer and Withdrawer
12:02 Caregiving and Women
13:34 Making Space in Closeness
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CONNECT WITH ANTHIA

Join the Staying Healthy Together Club: https://akademeiabyanthia.thinkific.com/bundles/StayingHealthyTogether

Shop Teas and Other Lovely Things: https://apothecabyanthia.com/collections

For more programs and resources: https://apothecabyanthia.com/

This week in my naturopathic clinic: Endometriosis.Endometriosis is not simply a reproductive problem, nor is it just ab...
01/10/2026

This week in my naturopathic clinic: Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is not simply a reproductive problem, nor is it just about having painful periods.

It is a chronic, complex condition that can affect pain, digestion, energy, fertility, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work and everyday life.

I was recently invited to speak about endometriosis alongside a wonderful integrative GP at a workplace event. Around 15% of the audience were men, which I loved. Understanding endometriosis matters not only for those experiencing it, but for partners, fathers, brothers, colleagues and employers too.

In clinic, I look beyond the pelvis.

Alongside appropriate medical and gynaecological care, I consider nutrition, inflammation, digestive and bowel health, nutrient status, movement, sleep, stress physiology, nervous system sensitisation and the enormous burden that living with persistent pain can place on a person.

There is no single diet, supplement, herb or treatment for endometriosis. Care needs to be individualised.

And perhaps most importantly, severe menstrual and pelvic pain deserves investigation. It should not simply be normalised as something women have to endure.

Treat the person, not just the pelvis.

A little memorial service for my grandfather (mum’s dad) yesterday at St Sophia & Three Daughters in Surry Hills followe...
28/09/2026

A little memorial service for my grandfather (mum’s dad) yesterday at St Sophia & Three Daughters in Surry Hills followed by a small gathering of family at my Shop. I wish I had taken pictures of that. A table full of Greek Cypriot mezze, both sweet and savoury. He passed 28 years ago. It’s a traditional Greek / Cypriot thing to remember those who have passed. It’s also an opportunity to light candles for others who have passed and prayers for things that might be coming up.

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346 Bourke Street Surry Hills
Sydney, NSW
2021

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02 9380 7863

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