The Practitioner's Heart: Practical Buddhist Wisdom for Therapists and Healthcare Professionals

In this episode, we explore one of the Four Immeasurables that feels profoundly essential for the world we’re living in right now: equanimity.

As global instability, the war in the Middle East, and the ongoing energy crisis ripple through our collective nervous system, many therapists are finding themselves holding their clients’ fears while carrying their own. This episode offers a grounded, embodied, and Buddhist‑informed way to meet these turbulent times without collapsing, shutting down, or absorbing everything you’re witnessing.

I walk you through:

• Why our nervous systems are more reactive right now
• How over‑empathy and vicarious anxiety show up in sessions
• The difference between equanimity, indifference, and spiritual bypassing
• The ocean metaphor: how to drop beneath the surface turbulence
• Understanding non‑attachment (and how it differs from avoidant attachment)
• How clear understanding of impermanence can soften urgency and reduce reactivity
• The “tablespoon of salt” metaphor from my teacher
• Expanding our internal landscape
• The 20% Anchor Practice — a real‑time tool for staying grounded with clients
• How equanimity protects against burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue
• Gentle mantras for returning to steady presence

This is an episode for therapists and health practitioners who are deeply feeling the world right now.

It’s a reminder that equanimity is a practice—one that grows each time you return to your breath, your body, and the truth that everything is impermanent.

Disclaimer:

The content discussed in this podcast is for inspiration and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy or clinical supervision, and our time together does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Please seek professional support if you are in need.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

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Have you ever wondered whether women can truly attain enlightenment in Buddhism — or felt subtle doubt about your own capacity for awakening?

In this deeply personal episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, Poh explores the enduring question: “Can women awaken?”

Drawing from her Asian upbringing and early encounters with patriarchal conditioning, Poh examines how cultural narratives have shaped spiritual identity — and how the Dharma itself points beyond gender entirely.

This episode reclaims the powerful legacy of awakened women in Buddhist history and reminds therapists, healthcare professionals, and spiritual practitioners that Buddha nature is not male or female.

Enlightenment is not reserved for one body, one culture, or one gender.

It is the awakening from conditioning itself.

In this episode, you’ll explore:
• Poh’s personal journey with early conditioning
• Why the question still persists historically and culturally
• Enlightenment as “waking up” from conditioning
• Transforming self-doubt and societal pressure into practice
• Stories of awakened women across Buddhist history
• Trusting your innate capacity for awakening 

Episode Highlights:
* [00:02:25] Poh’s childhood story and early conditioning
* [00:07:30] The core question: Can women awaken?
* [00:10:20] What enlightenment really means
* [00:13:25] Dharma vs. patriarchy
* [00:17:10] “Mud for the lotus” insight
* [00:20:15] Mahapajapati Gotami’s story
* [00:22:10] Chiyono’s awakening
* [00:26:20] Moshan Liao Ran’s teaching
* [00:29:35] Dragon Girl & Tara stories
* [00:34:15] Buddha nature beyond gender
* [00:35:55] Closing reflection

Key Figures & Concepts Mentioned:

1. Female Practitioners: Mahapajapati Gotami, Mugai Nyodai (Chiyono), Moshan Liao Ran
2. Bodhisattvas & Deities: The Dragon Girl (Lotus Sutra), Tara (Tibetan Buddhism)
3. Core Concepts: Enlightenment, Awakening, Liberation, Buddha Nature, Bodhisattva Path, Patriarchy, Conditioning, Zen, Mahayana Buddhism.

Connect with The Practitioner's Heart:

1. Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | GoodPods
2. Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, the most meaningful way to support our community is to share it with a colleague or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
3. Website: The Blossoming Therapists
4. Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists

Disclaimer:

The content discussed in this podcast is for inspiration and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy or clinical supervision, and our time together does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Please seek professional support if you are in need.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

Welcome back to the second and final part of my conversation with the wonderful Amiee Pember, an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist.

In Part 1, Amiee shared her powerful journey of self-discovery. Now, we dive deep into the heart of practice. How do we integrate ancient wisdom into our modern, often overwhelming, lives as practitioners?

Amiee shares profound insights from her time on silent retreats, including a pivotal moment with Buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm that taught her the "wisdom of not trying." We explore the struggle of maintaining a practice without a supportive community, the power of finding connection in shared silence, and the radical self-acceptance required to walk a spiritual path that is never a straight line. This episode is a compassionate guide for any practitioner who has ever felt they've "fallen off" their path and needs to hear that they are always welcome back.

About Our Guest:

Amiee Pember is an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist and board-approved supervisor. Through her practice, Neuro Bloom, she provides neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-informed therapy. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to personal authenticity, professional integrity, and ongoing reflective practice.

In This Episode (Part 2), You'll Hear About:

1. The Buddhist view of being a "scientist-practitioner" of your own mind: test the teachings and see what works for you.
2. Amiee’s powerful story from a 9-day silent retreat and the life-changing advice to "stop trying" to meditate.
3. The importance of allowing your mind and body to rest and transition before expecting stillness.
4. The challenge of integrating deep spiritual insights back into a busy life without an accessible community (the sangha).
5. The profound sense of connection and "oneness" that can be experienced in a silent group setting.
6. How Buddhist teachings on interconnectedness ("we-ness") can help evolve Western psychology's individualistic focus.
7. Amiee's core takeaway for all practitioners: The spiritual path is not about perfection, but about self-acceptance and being kind to yourself, especially when you feel disconnected.

Episode Highlights + Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to The Practitioner's Heart 

02:12 - Part 2 Introduction 

04:11 - Buddha as scientist practitioner

04:41 - The practice of pause 

07:20 - No perfect path 

08:34 - Amiee's first silent 9-day silent retreat

11:23 - The wisdom of stop trying 

14:43 - The transition into retreat as a neurodivergent 

19:10 - Bringing practice home 

24:07 - The importance of community

26:14 - The 'we' in psychology 

28:33 - Amiee's message for listeners 

32:06 - Where to find Amiee 

Resources & Links:

1. Learn more about Amiee Pember's work at Neuro Bloom: www.neurobloomlearninghub.com.au
2. If you missed it, listen to A Conversation with Psychologist Amiee Pember: Neurodivergent Identity, Motherhood & the Path of Buddhist Practice (Part 1)
3. Mentioned in this episode: Teachings of Ajahn Brahm.

Connect with The Practitioner's Heart:

1. Follow us on Instagram
2. Visit our Website
3. If this conversation resonated with you, please leave a review on

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this moving and deeply human conversation, Poh sits down with Amiee Pember, an autistic and ADHD perinatal psychologist and board‑approved supervisor based in regional Western Australia. In true Amiee fashion, she shows up with honesty, warmth, and profound self‑reflection.

In Part 1, Amiee shares the story of her early life, her intuitive path into psychology, and the transformative experiences that shaped her work — including motherhood, yoga, contemplative practice, and ultimately discovering her own neurodivergent identity later in life.

Together, Poh and Amiee explore the realities of being an early‑career psychologist, the anxiety on Sunday nights, and the relief that comes when we allow authenticity to lead the way.

If you’ve ever wondered how neurodivergence, Buddhism, ACT, yoga, and perinatal psychology intersect — this conversation will be an interesting one to listen to! 

In This Episode (Part 1), You’ll Hear About:

• Amiee’s early years and natural pull toward helping
• The impact of growing up in rural WA and community psychology
• How ACT, mindfulness, and yoga shaped her early career
• The vulnerable reality of imposter syndrome as a new psychologist
• The kindness of a therapist who helped her feel “human”
• How motherhood transformed her inner world and professional direction
• Discovering Buddhism through Ajahn Brahm, Tara Brach, and Gil Fronsdal
• How her neurodivergence was discovered through curiosity, compassion, and clinical openness
• What it feels like to realise “the mind is not a fixed object” but something fluid, expansive and context‑dependent

Who This Episode Is For:

• Neurodivergent therapists (or those wondering if they are)
• Clinicians curious about Buddhism, ACT, and contemplative practice
• Therapists navigating imposter syndrome or early‑career pressures
• Anyone who loves grounded, honest conversations about identity and growth

Episode Highlights + Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Practitioner’s Heart

04:20 – Introducing guest Amiee Pember

09:35 – Amiee’s early pull toward helping and community psychology

15:15 – First encounters with ACT, anxiety, and a compassionate psychologist

19:45 – Yoga and the bridge to Buddhist teachings

27:13 – Discovering Dharma teachers: Ajahn Brahm, Tara Brach & Gil Fronsdal

33:02 – First silent retreats & the moment Buddhism “clicked”

37:08 – Clients leading the way toward recognising her own neurodivergence

40:00 – How Buddhist practice helped meet this truth with compassion

41:47 – Closing: the mind as fluid, expansive, and context‑shaped

About Our Guest — Amiee Pember, Psychologist

Amiee is an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist, board‑approved supervisor, and educator whose work focuses on neurodivergent families in the perinatal period. She integrates ACT, CFT, and EMDR within a neurodiversity‑affirming, attachment‑informed framework.

Through her work at NeuroBloom, she models authenticity, reflective practice, and inclusive strengths‑based care.

Resources & Links: 

• Learn more about Amiee Pember's work at NeuroBloom Learning Hub
• Follow Amiee on Instagram
• Center for Perinatal Psychology (CPP)
• League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for education and inspiration purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or professional training, and does not establish a therapeutic relationship.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, psychologist and Buddhist practitioner Poh Gan explores the powerful connection between Buddhist teachings and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Long before ACT introduced concepts like psychological flexibility, acceptance, defusion, and self‑as‑context, the Buddha was teaching remarkably similar principles 2,600 years ago. She links ACT's functional contextualism (focusing on what works within context) to the Buddha's teaching of dependent origination (the 12 links of causal conditions), describing how suffering arises from ignorance through sense contact, feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth and then aging, sickness, grief, and death, and how intervening - especially between feeling and craving via mindful awareness - can interrupt the chain, similar to functional behavioural analysis (A-B-C) and systemic thinking. 

Through timeless Buddhist stories — including Kisa Gotami’s journey through grief and Huike’s encounter with Bodhidharma — we uncover how the Buddha taught acceptance, mindfulness, values, and compassionate action in profoundly experiential ways.

If you’re a therapist, counsellor, psychologist, or healer navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, or a busy mind, this episode offers grounding, clarity, and a deeper sense of meaning in your work.

What You’ll Learn:
• How ACT and Buddhist psychology share the same core processes
• Why the Twelve Links of Causal Conditions/ Dependent Origination reflect functional contextualism
• How Kisa Gotami’s story beautifully illustrates acceptance and defusion
• How suffering arises through memory, labelling, and attachment
• Why Huike’s story is the ultimate teaching on self‑as‑context
• How therapists can embody openness, awareness, and engaged action
• How Buddhist wisdom supports modern clinical practice and therapist wellbeing

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to The Practitioner’s Heart

02:09 – Why compare Buddhism and ACT?

03:55 – ACT's foundation: Functional Contextualism and the Buddha's "master of context" view

04:28 – Twelve Links of Dependent Origination explained

08:10 – Where to intervene: feeling and craving, breaking the chain (the ABC parallels)

11:20 – Pillar 1: Be Open: acceptance + delusion (Kisa Gotami and grief)

16:45 – Defusion in modern terms: memory, labelling, and EMDR parallels with Buddhist teachings

18:29 – Pillar 2: Be Aware: present moment awareness + self-as-context (Huike & Bodhidharma)

23:53 – Pillar 3: Be engaged: alues, committed actions & the Bodhisattva ideal

26:58 – The Noble Eightfold Path as committed action

About the Host
Poh Gan is a psychologist, Buddhist practitioner, parent, and fellow human with a busy mind and a deep passion for awakening and compassionate service. She supports therapists in integrating practical Buddhist wisdom into daily life and clinical practice.

If You Enjoyed This Episode
Please support the show by:
• Sharing it with a colleague
• Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Following The Practitioner’s Heart for future episodes

Your support helps this community grow.

Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or professional training.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this Lunar New Year special, Poh reflects on the rich cultural and spiritual significance of this season — especially for Asian diaspora therapists and healthcare workers navigating multiple identities, traditions, and inner parts.

This episode explores the deeper Buddhist meaning behind Maitreya Bodhisattva, the figure often known as the Laughing Buddha, and how his teachings offer profound guidance for our clinical work and our inner lives.

You’ll hear:

• The symbolism behind Bu Dai’s “big belly”
• How Buddhist wisdom can help us hold discomfort, impermanence, and self‑doubt
• Why therapists often cling to fixed identities (competent, effective, good therapist…)
• How non‑attachment supports sustainable, compassionate practice
• A tender guided reflection inspired by Lunar New Year temple rituals
• Ways to release old patterns and invite new qualities into the year ahead

This episode is a grounding companion for therapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and anyone walking a spiritual path while supporting others.
May it bring steadiness, warmth, and spaciousness to your heart.

• The meaning of Lunar New Year for Asian diaspora therapists
• Holding multiple cultural identities with compassion
• Maitreya Bodhisattva and the true origins of the “Laughing Buddha”
• The symbolism of the big belly — capacity, compassion, and endurance
• Bu Dai the wandering monk and his joyful, liberated heart
• How clinging creates suffering in our professional identity
• Letting go of perfectionism, competence narratives, and fear of judgement
• Presence and tolerance in fast‑paced, AI‑driven modern life
• Cultivating a heart spacious enough to hold difficult moments in the therapy room
• A gentle New Year ritual: releasing old attachments and welcoming new qualities
• Guided reflection: what are you ready to loosen your grip on?

1. What fixed idea about yourself as a practitioner are you ready to release this year?
2. What habits rooted in that identity have contributed to burnout or fatigue?
3. Which quality of Bu Dai’s liberated heart would you like to cultivate in the Year of the Fire Horse?
   Compassion? Insight? Playfulness? Non‑attachment? Spaciousness?

• Website: blossomingtrueself.com.au
• Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists
• Work with Poh: supervision, She Blossoms, Bodhi Meditation Circle

Please share it with a colleague or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Your support helps this heart‑centred community reach more practitioners who need it.

This podcast offers inspiration and education purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or individual mental health care. Listening does not constitute a therapeutic relationship.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes, we shift into the clinical and developmental heart of her work. Louise shares what she hopes practitioners pay attention to when learning new therapy models, and how to support young people with presence, curiosity, and compassion.

We also talk openly about burnout, compassion fatigue, and therapist wellbeing—how they show up, how they change us, and what it means to create space to reconnect with meaning, creativity, and care in our work.

This episode is grounding, generous, and nourishing for anyone working with adolescents or navigating the emotional demands of therapeutic practice.

In this episode, we explore:

• how to learn therapy models without overwhelm

• why “function over form” matters in clinical work

• DNAV and a developmental approach to supporting adolescents

• the unique pressures affecting young people today

• presence, attunement, and humility in therapeutic relationships

• burnout, compassion fatigue, and protecting practitioner wellbeing

• letting go of striving and reconnecting with values

Key insights:

• Young people benefit most when practitioners understand their developmental context and the pressures shaping their identity.

• DNAV offers a flexible, practical framework that strengthens psychological flexibility.

• Therapist presence—genuine, regulated, and spacious—is often more healing than any technique.

• Burnout is a sign to pause and reconnect with what matters, not a personal failing.

• Sustaining this work requires compassion for ourselves as much as for our clients.

About Dr. Louise Hayes

Dr. Louise Hayes is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, author, and co‑developer of the DNAV model. She has spent decades supporting young people and advancing process‑based, developmentally grounded psychological approaches.

Connect with me:

Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists 

Email: [email protected]

I’d love to hear what resonates for you in this episode—feel free to DM or email me anytime.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this inaugural episode of the Practitioner's Heart Podcast, host Poh Gan introduces the show’s mission to offer practical Buddhist wisdom for therapists and healthcare workers. The episode features part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes, a psychologist, author, and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), who shares her journey of integrating Buddhism with psychology. They discuss the significance of meditation, presence, and letting go of attachments in professional and personal life, emphasising the profound impact of these practices on therapeutic work. 

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart

02:21 Reflection on the First Interview

05:06 Conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes Begins

05:38 Louise Hayes' Journey and Insights

15:40 The Role of Buddhism in Therapy

23:06 Personal Practices and Professional Growth

37:58 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Part 2 of the conversation will be released on the 9/2/2026. 

Dr Louise Hayes brings two decades of acceptance and commitment therapy expertise to her comprehensive training programs.

Louise Hayes' ACT training combines clinical excellence with practical application making her one of Australia's most sought after psychology trainers. 

Louise's website: https://www.louisehayes.com.au/ 

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this episode of The Practitioner's Heart podcast, host Poh Gan introduces herself, sharing her journey as a psychologist and Buddhist practitioner. She explores the intersection of psychology, Buddhist wisdom, culture, and identity, emphasizing the importance of decolonizing spiritual practices in therapy. Poh discusses her challenges as a first-generation Asian immigrant and neurodivergent therapist, advocating for the authentic integration of spiritual traditions into therapeutic practice to support collective healing and awakening. Through her reflections and personal stories, Poh aims to inspire therapists and healthcare professionals to embrace their unique identities and cultivate inner resources for sustainable practice.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart
02:21 Poh's Personal Journey and Intentions
03:52 Cultural and Professional Background
07:07 Intersectionality and Professional Challenges
11:28 Decolonizing Psychology and Integrating Spirituality
23:17 Bodhisattva Practices and Therapeutic Parallels
28:53 Reflections and Closing Thoughts
35:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show

In this episode of The Practitioner's Heart Podcast, host Poh Gan, a psychologist and Buddhist practitioner, shares practical Buddhist wisdom to help therapists and healthcare workers cultivate loving-kindness and manage the inner critic. Poh introduces a simple yet profound practice using Metta (loving-kindness meditation) that can be integrated into daily life to soothe self-criticism and promote resilience. Listeners are guided through a hands-on-heart exercise designed to bring immediate relief and create new habits of self-kindness, ensuring a sustainable and balanced practice. This episode is a resource for therapists seeking deeper spiritual alignment and support in their personal and professional lives.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart

02:29 The Inner Critic's Replay Loop

04:10 Understanding the Inner Critic

06:40 Practicing Metta: Loving Kindness

14:23 Hands-on Heart Practice

19:39 Building a Sustainable Practice

21:21 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise meditation, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends. It is currently open for enrolment! You're warmly invited to join us to start your cultivation and practice today! 

Support the show