A WINDSOR Downs psychologist wants the Hawkesbury’s lonely people to get scientific about finding a partner, and she aims to help them do it.
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Leanne Allen and her partner Grant Leslie (who met online) have written a book ‘The Mindset of Online Dating – Get your head straight to attract a date’ to give everyone the best chances of finding a good partner.
She is also holding an event for over 35s on Wednesday, December 14 to get the ball rolling before Christmas. It’s at Richmond Records Cafe from 7-9pm, costs $40 and includes dinner.
At the dinner Ms Allen will go over what people need to look at regarding what they want from a partner and what they have to offer someone in a relationship.
In her book she says there’s still a lot of stigma about online dating, with people saying “there are only psychos online”, “Online dating is only for people just interested in sex”, and “Online dating is for desperate people”.
She tells it like it is. “Yes, there are a few psychos, people only interested in sex or desperados on these sites, but don’t you find these same people in nightclubs, bars and even in your workplace? Maybe YOU are one of those people!” she says.
“At the same time there are genuine people. In fact, in Australia, some seven million people subscribe to the top five online dating sites.”
Ms Allen said before people hop online with a profile, they need to ask themselves some honest questions: Do you know exactly what you are looking for? Have you thought about what it is that you have to offer in a relationship? Are you really ready for a relationship or do you still need to get over the ex? Are you confident in your choices? Are you confident enough to go on a first date? Does your profile (words and pictures) describe you to your best potential?
She said she speaks from personal experience.
“I have been interested in the whole dating thing for a few years now,” she said. “When I started looking online after my long-term marriage ended I seriously was shocked by the way many people presented themselves. I wanted to accept them as friends so I could fix their profiles!
“Then I got serious about my own needs and that is when I met Grant, and I also got serious about really helping people with this.”
To enquire about the dinner night on December 14, contact 0466 211 288.
- The Gazette has three pdf copies of the book to give away. If you would like one, tell us what you feel is the most important thing to convey in an online dating profile, and why. Email justine.doherty@fairfaxmedia. com.au by Tuesday, December 13 at 5pm.