The Journey of a Clinical Psychologist

"It takes a lot of effort to socialise."

Takeaways

Aylana's journey into psychology was influenced by her sister's autism and ADHD.

Personal experiences of social anxiety motivated Alana to study psychology.

Empathy in therapy is enhanced by lived experiences of anxiety.

Balancing personal reflection with objectivity in research is challenging.

Social anxiety is often misunderstood as mere shyness or introversion.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a primary treatment for social anxiety.

Racial discrimination can significantly impact social anxiety symptoms.

Cultural factors must be considered in therapy for marginalised clients.

Awareness of systemic racism is crucial in clinical practice.

Future research should focus on the intersection of race and mental health.

Summary

In this episode of the Checking With Podcast, host Calvin Anderson interviews Dr. Aylana Brewster, a clinical psychologist whose research focuses on the links between racial discrimination and social anxiety. Aylana shares her personal journey into psychology, influenced by her sister's neurodiversity and her own experiences with social anxiety.

The conversation explores the importance of empathy in therapy, the misconceptions surrounding social anxiety, and the need for cultural sensitivity in clinical practice. Aylana emphasises the significance of acknowledging systemic racism in psychology and offers advice for students managing their mental health while pursuing their careers.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of research in this area and Aylana's personal experiences with racial discrimination in her professional journey.