Psych Matters

In this episode, Dr Elizabeth Moore interviews Dr Ettore Guaia and Dr Sadaf Khan about their personal experiences with disabilities, particularly visual impairments, and the importance of disability advocacy within the field of psychiatry. They reflect on their training experiences, highlighting the challenges faced by trainees with disabilities and the need for stronger support systems.
Join us as Dr Ettore Guaia and Dr Sadaf Khan provide invaluable lessons on resilience, adaptation, and the importance of understanding different perspectives in psychiatry. Their stories are a testament to the power of determination and the positive impact that diverse experiences can bring to mental health care. 

• The Sunflower Initiative 
• Standford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity 
• Doctors with Albinism Facebook group 
• Doctors with Disabilities podcast 
• Ettore’s interview for International Disability Awareness Day 

Dr Ettore Guaia is an Italian Australian child and adolescent psychiatrist. He has worked in public and private sectors in Italy, the United Kingdom and since 2012, in Australia.
He has worked in paediatric consultation-liaison and as well as in inpatient and outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry, and has a keen interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disability. He is the Medical Co-director of Youth Mental Health and Eating Disorders at North Metropolitan Health Service in Western Australia. 
Ettore is a person with albinism and a visual impairment. He is a member of the Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity and Doctors with Albinism, and actively mentors doctors with disabilities. 

Dr Sadaf Khan is a newly fellowed consultant psychiatrist currently working in adult acute mental health at Eastern Health in Victoria. She began her psychiatry training in Ireland and is a proud member of both the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and the UK. In 2024, she completed her fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
In this conversation, Dr Khan shares her personal experiences navigating the complexities of psychiatric training while living with visual impairment. She candidly discusses the obstacles she faced and the innovative strategies she developed to overcome them.

Dr Elizabeth Moore is the current President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), 2023 - 2025. 

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

Kon Karapanagiotidis, the founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), joins Dr Kym Jenkins and Brianna Sleeth to discuss the Centre’s mission of providing holistic support to asylum seekers and refugees. Established 23 years ago, the ASRC aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals who have experienced trauma and persecution. Its comprehensive range of services includes food banks, health and psychiatry clinics, legal assistance, educational programs and more. 

The discussion highlights the significance of advocacy and the crucial role psychiatrists play in promoting the rights and wellbeing of asylum seekers. It also addresses the challenges of burnout and the importance of self-care for professionals in this demanding field. 

The conversation sheds light on the deliberate cruelty and neglect experienced by asylum seekers in Australia’s offshore detention centres, including the denial of adequate healthcare, loss of dignity, as well as psychological torture and distress. The uncertainty and instability in their lives often lead to mental health crises, such as PTSD, depression, and suicidal ideation. 

For more information about the ASRC and ways to get involved, visit https://asrc.org.au/ 

Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM is a passionate humanitarian, changemaker, gardener, cook, public speaker and bestselling author. He is also a qualified lawyer, social worker, teacher and the Founding CEO of Australia’s largest human rights organisation for people seeking asylum, the ASRC.

Dr Kym Jenkins is a former President of the RANZCP and has served as Chair of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges. She has held a range of roles as a Consultant Psychiatrist in both the public and private sectors and has a strong clinical and academic focus on the health and welfare of the medical profession. In her private practice, Dr. Jenkins specialises in consultation-liaison and women’s psychiatry. Dr Jenkins has had extensive involvement in psychiatry-related medical education, both within the RANZCP and externally. As a founding member of the RANZCP Network for Asylum Seeker and Refugee Mental Health, she served as Chair of the network until May 2024.   

Brianna Sleeth is a community health nurse at the ASRC. She is a registered nurse with three years of experience and is currently pursuing a Master of Mental Health Nursing. Brianna has worked with both adolescents and adults in psychiatric inpatient settings, where she has developed a strong skill set for addressing significant and complex mental health issues. In her free time, Brianna volunteers in prison settings and supports people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Melbourne. She is passionate about providing high quality, trauma-informed care to people seeking asylum as well as increasing access to essential mental health services. 

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Associate Professor Campbell Paul and Dr Linda Kader explore the intricate world of infant mental health, emphasising the roles of play, trauma awareness and parental involvement in early childhood development. They discuss the importance of observing infants, understanding the impact of early experiences and the necessity of cultural sensitivity in practice. The conversation also highlights global initiatives in infant mental health and the need for mental health professionals to maintain a playful and curious approach in their work. 

Associate Professor Campbell Paul is a consultant infant and child psychiatrist at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and is also an honorary principal fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne. He and his colleagues have established a Graduate Diploma and a Masters course in infant and parent mental health.

Dr Linda Kader is a consultant psychiatrist, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher with a strong interest and commitment to raise and facilitate necessary conversations in healthcare leadership and management. She works at The Royal Melbourne and The Royal Children's Hospitals, where she provides leadership and clinical care, supervises and teaches registrars, and supports various aspects of service development and implementation. She is a mentor for registrars with RANZCP and is committed to refugee healthcare and human rights advocacy through her local council committees.  Drawing on her extensive practice and knowledge of mindfulness and compassion, she cultivates a professional, sage and engaging working environment for her teams and all staff.  

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

The Psych Matters team: David, Jo-Rose and Nishta, would like to thank you for your support during the year 2024. We hope that you’ve enjoyed the many topics and like to thank College members and others who have generously given their time to develop and present Psych Matters. We’ll be back on the 3rd of January with the next episode of Psych Matters.

In this episode, Prof Vlasios Brakoulias, Dr Gary Galambos and Dr Mikaela Tracy discuss innovative interventions for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in young people as part of the Uspace OCD Program at St Vincent's Private Hospital co-designed by Prof Brakoulias and Dr Galambos. It incorporates multiple next level technologies such as scent-enhanced Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, MRI-guided TMS for OCD, online exposure plans, exposure therapy tools and management plans. The program aims to improve the quality of care for patients by integrating research, cutting-edge treatments and a focus on early intervention. 
  
Prof Vlasios Brakoulias, MBBS Syd, PhD Syd, FRANZCP, is a psychiatrist specialising in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. He is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and a Conjoint Professor at the School of Medicine and the Translational Health Research Institute (THRI) at Western Sydney University. Professor Brakoulias is also an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University and the University of Notre Dame. Renowned internationally as an expert in obsessive-compulsive disorders, he has presented at numerous international conferences and is a co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed papers.

Dr Gary Galambos is the Chair of the Binational Section of Private Practice Psychiatry for the RANZCP, Associate Professor at the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame, and Medical Director of the Uspace Young Adult Mental Health Unit at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney. Dr Galambos is an innovator in the design, development and research of 21st century mental health services in the private sector. He has effectively integrated in-person mental health services with digital solutions such as a specialist-grade eLearning and training program, online delivered outcome measures, and AI-guided psychometric tools, utilising a purpose-built digital platform he developed called MindSkiller.

Dr Mikaela Tracy holds a Master of Clinical Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney and a PhD from The University of Sydney. Mikaela has a broad range of clinical experience across acute inpatient, outpatient community and university mental healthcare settings supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, behavioural and emotional regulation challenges, relationship issues , trauma, and personality disorders.

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Choong-Siew Yong and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi discuss the benefits and drawbacks of telepsychiatry and digital mental health delivery for general psychiatric care and specifically for children and adolescents. The pre- and post-pandemic approaches are discussed, including the emergency response for younger people. The conversation also examines the benefits and risks of telepsychiatry, including equitable digital technology access and technical challenges.  It also covers the use of telepsychiatry in rural and remote settings, and to allow videoconferencing when patients and their families are in different locations.  The discussion also explores new business models of telepsychiatry and the associated benefits and risks.

Dr Choong-Siew Yong is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Sydney, NSW. He has long-standing interests in medical workforce and education, practitioner regulation, doctors’ health and mental health policy. He has served on the executive committees of the Australian Medical Association, NSW Medical Board and Medical Council, and the NSW Doctors’ Health Advisory Service. For the RANZCP, he has served as the Chair of the Committee for Education Evaluation, Monitoring and Reporting and Continuing Medical Education (now known as the Committee for Continuing Professional Development). He is the current Chair of the Member Wellbeing Subcommittee.

A/Prof Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis. He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award and Fellowship of the AMA. He is a co-author on more than 330 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne.

Journal articles:
Telepsychiatry & face-to-face psychiatric consultations
COVID-19 medicare benefits schedule telehealth for private psychiatric care
Comparison of out-of-pocket costs of Medicare-funded consultations
Trends of MBS telepsychiatry & consultant physician telehealth services
Client perspectives
MBS Review Advisory Committee post-implementation review of telehealth items

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Penny Lewis, a clinical psychologist, interviews her husband, Dr George Blair-West, a psychiatrist, on his presentation at RANZCP 2024 Congress about Unconscious Lateral Intelligence (ULI).  

Our minds have an amazing capacity to solve the most challenging problems while not consciously thinking about it and being engaged in something totally unrelated. It can even do this while we sleep. Dr Blair-West outlines his research into how some of history’s greatest minds have creatively solved problems, that have led to Nobel prizes, blockbuster movies and the most covered song of all time. He will explain how ULI works and how you can improve your access to, and make the most of, the most powerful part of your mind. 

Dr George Blair-West is an author and psychiatrist. He discusses the subject of his upcoming, sixth book on a subject he started researching and talking on 25 years ago. His books, and two TED talks, reflect his interest in existentialism, couple work and trauma therapy. His most recent book, ‘The Girl in the Green Dress’ documents a legal first in Australia where Dissociative Identity Disorder became the basis for the prosecution rather than the defence. 

Penny Lewis is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Brisbane 

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Choong-Siew Yong and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi discuss computer gaming culture from the viewpoint of understanding the interests and hobbies of patients and community members, as well as considering benefits and harms specifically for children and adolescents. The issues discussed include definitions, how and why people choose to play computer games, and risks such as excessive gaming and introduction to gambling via loot boxes. Learning how to ask patients about the role of gaming in their lives can help in better understanding the sociocultural milieux in which they live.

Dr Choong-Siew Yong is a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Sydney, NSW. He has long-standing interests in medical workforce and education, practitioner regulation, doctors’ health and mental health policy. He has served on the executive committees of the Australian Medical Association, NSW Medical Board and Medical Council, and the NSW Doctors’ Health Advisory Service. 
For the RANZCP, he has served as the Chair of the Committee for Education Evaluation, Monitoring and Reporting (CEEMR) and the Committee for Continuing Medical Education (now known as the Committee for Continuing Professional Development). He is the current Chair of the Member Wellbeing Subcommittee.

Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, MBBS Syd, MD ANU, DMedSc Melb, FRANZCP, AFRACMA, is a clinical academic neuropsychiatrist, in private and public practice, and Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the Australian National University School of Medicine and Psychology. Jeffrey leads the Australian, United States, Scandinavian-Spanish Imaging Exchange (AUSSIE) and the Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA). He has received multiple research and leadership awards including: a Fulbright Scholarship and Australian-Davos-Connection Future Summit Leadership Award and Fellowship of the AMA. He is a co-author on more than 330 peer-reviewed papers, involving UCLA, Karolinska Institute and University of Melbourne. In January 2024, he was appointed as Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed medical scientific journal, Australasian Psychiatry published by the RANZCP, through Sage. 

References: 

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10398562231211137

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this special Halloween episode, Dr Rob Kaplan explores the intersection of psychiatry and the myth of vampires, particularly through the lens of Renfield’s syndrome, a fictional condition derived from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. It discusses how psychiatric disorders are defined, the historical context of vampirism, and the implications of clinical cases related to blood drinking behaviour. The discussion emphasises the social aspects of diagnoses and the cultural fascination with vampires. 

Dr Robert M. Kaplan, MBChB FRANZCP MA MPhil, is a forensic psychiatrist, lecturer and speaker with positions at the University of New South Wales, Western Sydney University and Wollongong University. His fields of expertise are sleep and pain disorders, neuropsychiatry and psychological aspects of physical disorders. He also holds the distinguished position of Chair of the Binational Section of Philosophy and Humanities at RANZCP. 

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

In this episode, Dr Ashlea White and Dr Roderick McKay discuss the professional and interpersonal aspects of wellbeing, emphasising the importance of community and peer support for mental health professionals. Drawing from their own experiences, they reflect on the challenges faced by trainees, the role of mentorship, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help as a physician. They explore how the profession can create space to value those that may be struggling.  

 The conversation also highlights the impact that small, helpful acts and moments can have, and the human element of fostering more supportive environments in psychiatry. They discuss how community can help with regaining perspective in difficult times. 

Dr Ashlea White is an early career addiction and adult psychiatrist with a varied career in public and private psychiatry, spanning tertiary and regional healthcare. In a previous life, she was a radiographer and now she is committed to building a flexible career in psychiatry that aligns with her many interests while also spending time with her growing family. Dr White continues to be passionate about gender equity and improving access to quality mental health treatment for all. She also sits on the RANZCP Member Wellbeing Subcommittee. 

Dr Roderick McKay is a psychiatrist whose current work focuses on working with older people and postgraduate education with psychiatry trainees and multidisciplinary courses. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW. At RANZCP, he was the former bi-national chairs of both the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age and the Community Collaborative Committee. Dr McKay currently works as a clinician in southern Sydney, having previously worked in southwestern Sydney and Far West NSW.

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.

This conversation discusses the development of the Certificate of Postgraduate Training in Clinical Psychiatry (the Certificate), funded by the Australian Government. The Certificate is designed for medical practitioners in Australia (PGY5+) who want to learn foundational concepts in psychiatry and develop practical clinical skills to assess and support patients who present with mental health conditions. The program includes four core areas with an elective that can be related to your interests. It offers flexibility and experiential learning, allowing participants to continue working in their primary places of work -while under clinical supervision by experienced psychiatrists.

Chair of the Expert Advisory Group, Dr Bill Kingswell, and members of the Expert Advisory Group and Curriculum Authorship Steering Group, Dr Matthew Ruhl and Dr Catherine Andronis, discuss why medical practitioners should enrol into the Certificate and the benefits of undertaking the program for general practitioners and rural generalists.

Dr Bill Kingswell is a psychiatrist with a long-term interest in the educational activities of the RANZCP and chaired the Expert Advisory Group which governed this project.

Dr Matthew Ruhl is a rural generalist (FACRRM), with an advanced skill in mental health and special interests in addiction and sexual health, and all facets of LGBTIQAPSB+ health. He has worked for the past decade in hospitals and health facilities across south-east Queensland. Matt is an active clinical educator for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and continues to study actively, is a novice researcher and supports medical student and doctor education. In his spare time, he enjoys his artistic pursuits as an amateur stained-glass maker, cooking, gaming, and sleep (especially sleep!).

Dr Catherine Andronis is a Melbourne-based GP with a special interest in mental health, and a family therapist.  She is currently the Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Psychological Medicine Specific Interests group, as well as a medical educator and a keen advocate for mental health care in Australia.

Topic suggestion:
If you have a topic suggestion or would like to participate in a future episode of Psych Matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact us by email at: [email protected]

Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.