You've probably heard that the therapeutic relationship involves things like rapport building and empathy, but what else is there, and what IS a 'therapeutic relationship' anyway?? 🧐 Here to chat about these questions and more is experienced psychologist Claire Trevitt! Bron and Claire dig deeper into concepts like genuineness, transference and countertransference, and why self-reflection in a therapeutic relationship matters. Claire also shares her journey from a CBT-trained psychologist to embracing psychodynamic principles and the value of personal therapy. Listen in for a deeper understanding of fostering a healthy therapeutic relationship in your practice, and enjoy!

Guest: Claire Trevitt, Psychologist and Supervisor at The Growing Therapist

LINKS

• Claire's podcast, Between Two Psychs, which is dedicated to early-career psychologists! 🥰💖⭐
• Claire's training/supervision website, The Growing Therapist
• A jargon-free intro to contemporary psychodynamic therapy by Jonathon Shelder is here
• The biggest deep-dive on relational dynamics in therapy: Attachment in Psychotherapy, a book by David J Wallin

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of the work we do in mental health focuses on helping people who are already unwell, but what if we could stop them getting unwell in the first place? That's what our guest today, Ally, is passionate about. She started a whole organisation called Mind Blank to give people and communities the tools they need to proactively take care of their mental health, and she uses her passion for theatre to make sure the information sticks. In today's ep, we hear about how Ally's lived experience led her to entrepreneurship, what she likes about focusing on preventive mental health, and the challenges and opportunities running your own organisation brings. This ep will especially resonate with folks who want to get involved in community education but are unsure what it could look like.

Guest: Ally Kelly, CEO & Founder of Mind Blank

LINKS

• Ally's organisation, Mind Blank, which uses creative arts and education to help people proactively take care of their wellbeing.
• Open-access journal article on arts-based programs for mental health promotion: "Effectiveness and mechanisms of change in participatory arts-based programmes for promoting youth mental health and well-being – a systematic review"

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron and Marie unpack the money beliefs that unconsciously shape how much we earn and what we charge as mental health professionals. We talk about the unspoken anxiety around money shared by many of us, and practical strategies for managing discomfort around adequately charging for services. Bron also wonders, just how much is therapy "worth" and is there an upper ceiling? Tune-in for a really important chat!

Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & Couples Therapist at The Therapy Hub

LINKS

• This Complex Life - Marie's podcast where she delves into the messiness of wellbeing and relationships.

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron and Marie chat about the comments that therapists make when they want to talk about what's happening right here and now in the therapy room -- you might know them as 'here and now' comments, process comments, or immediacy comments. They can be tricky to use and master, particularly early in our career! Marie takes us through some ways to build confidence in making these comments, and Bron talks about how she started small when trying to increase her use of 'here and now' comments in therapy. Marie always offers such gentle and practical guidance, so I know you'll love this episode! Thanks to listener Jade for inspiring this episode 🥰 - we love hearing topic ideas from listeners!

Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & Couples Therapist at The Therapy Hub

LINKS

• Loved this episode? You might like to listen to other Mental Work episodes with Marie! Check them out here.
• This Complex Life - Marie's podcast where she delves into the messiness of wellbeing and relationships.

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron and Jordan do a deep-dive on the registrar program for psychologists -- this is the massive training program that psychologists undertake when they want to gain endorsement in an area such as clinical, counselling, or educational & developmental psychology. Jordan shares her personal experience completing the Ed & Dev Registrar program, covering topics like supervision, professional development, and building confidence as a therapist, and offer tips for navigating the program successfully. Enjoy!

Guest: Jordan Turner, Educational & Developmental Psychologist and Lead Psychologist at Jordan Turner Psychology

LINKS

• Loved this episode? You might like to listen to other Mental Work episodes with Jordan! Check them out here.
• The Psychology Board of Australia Registrar Program

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron is joined by Dr Carollyne Youssef, Forensic Psychologist, to chat about how to respond well when a subpoena comes. We cover legal obligations, maintaining client confidentiality, practical tips for navigating subpoenas, common mistakes psychologists can make, and the importance of seeking legal advice and support through supervision.

This is such a jam-packed episode with so much good information - I know you will love it and feel reassured by Carollyne's clear guidance! Thank you so much Carollyne! 😊

Guest: Dr Carollyne Youssef, Principal Forensic Psychologist at PsychOrium

LINKS

• Carollyne's psychology practice, PsychOrium

• Enjoyed this episode? You might like Carollyne's helpful and supportive episode on AHPRA notifications.
• Subpoena factsheet from the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi). Students can join AAPi for $50!
• Article on How to Respond to a Subpoena from the APS.

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Initially overwhelmed by the severest phase of burnout, in this Part 2 episode Matthew discusses his journey of self-reflection, acceptance, and gradual recovery. Bron and Matt delve into the stages of burnout, and the transformational shift Matthew undertook to cope and regain his sense of self. We again thank Matthew for his courage and vulnerability during this episode, and we hope this episode resonates with listeners 💖

This is Part 2 of Matthew's journey through burnout. If you haven't listened to Part 1, I HIGHLY recommend listening to it by scrolling back through your podcast feed (it's the previous episode)!

If you are experiencing burnout, we encourage you to reach out for support from BeyondBlue, a trusted supervisor, or therapist. 

Guest: Matthew Jackson, Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal episode, Matthew shares his experience of hitting the depths of burnout and making the difficult decision to leave his career as a therapist. We discuss the warning signs of burnout, the importance of recognising when therapy work no longer aligns with you, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. We also explore the stigma surrounding career changes in psychology and how to navigate the uncertainty of forging a new path.

A huge thank you to Matthew for his honesty and vulnerability 💖—burnout is often discussed in theory, but we rarely hear from those in the thick of it. We're so grateful for your insights and hope this conversation resonates with listeners.

If you are experiencing burnout, we encourage you to reach out for support from BeyondBlue, a trusted supervisor, or therapist. 

Guest: Matthew Jackson, Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor

LINKS

• Enjoyed this episode? You might like Matthew's previous episodes on What Jobs Can I Get in Psychology?, How to Not do Therapy-Lite with Partners and Friends, How to Really Process What Clients Share With Us, and his Listener Story on Being a Queer Therapist and the Importance of Authenticity
• 'Am I Burnt Out?' Take the Professional Quality of Life self-test on NovoPsych

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron is joined by Karen Knight and Courtney McKee, two experienced psychologists with lived experience of blindness. We dive into 👉 their personal journey with psychology, including their passions, the challenges, and the opportunities for psychologists living with disability 👉🏽 accessibility, technology, and advocacy 👉🏿 the strengths and unique perspectives they bring to their work. The episode offers valuable advice for aspiring and early career mental health workers living with disability and emphasises the importance of self-care, adaptability, and community. This is DEFINITELY a Top 10 episode for me -- I thought it was excellent 🤩. Thanks Karen and Courtney, and a big thanks to listener Sarah for requesting the topic!

Guest: Courtney McKee (Psychologist, Allied Health Team Leader) and Karen Knight (Psychologist, Board Director, Disability Advocate)

LINKS

• Loved this episode? You might like to listen to similar episodes where we've talked about disability, including Insights from an NDIS Participant (with Cameron Milkins), Working with a Visible Health Condition (with Kaedee Abel), and Working Effectively in the NDIS (with Katherine Elliston)
• "I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much" - fantastic TED talk by Stella Young

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bron chats with Georgina about her journey of gaining her psychologist registration in Australia before moving to the UK. We chat about the differences between healthcare systems in Aus and the UK, the challenges and rewards of working internationally, managing imposter syndrome, and the benefits of diverse career experiences. This was a fantastic chat which I think our early-career listeners will love, thanks so much Georgina!! 😊🥰

Guest: Georgina Lennard, Clinical Psychologist

LINKS

• Learn more about working overseas as a psychologist on Georgina's Instagram @theoverseaspsychologist
• UK/Overseas Psychologists in Australia Facebook group

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram or email [email protected]

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides information and entertainment content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or participant does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated service or organisation. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on Whadjuk Noongar land in Boorloo.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.