This Complex Life

Boundaries are the limits we set with other people, which indicate what we find acceptable and unacceptable in their behavior towards us.

Elements of trust - from the work of Brene Brown. 

Using the acronym BRAVING

Boundaries

Reliability

Accountability

Vault

Intergtriy

Non-judgement

Generosity 

Healthy boundaries are cruicial components for self-care.

Some of the advantages of healthy boundaries include having good mental health, good emotional health, avoiding burnout and being a positive influence on others behaviour.

Consequences include stress, wasted time, financial burdens and relationship issues. Whether it's in work or in our personal relationships, poor boundaries may lead to resentment, hurt, anger, and burnout. A lack of healthy boundaries can negatively impact all areas of someone's life.

Boundaries help us take care of ourselves by giving us permission to say NO to things, to not take everything on. Knowing our boundaries and setting them are two very different hurdles to overcom

Know what they are

Start by working out your limits.

Remind yourself of the benefit of sticking to them 

Be assertive and Communicate them

Communicate them often, frequently and clearly. This is your responsibility 

People can’t read your mind. This make take practice to implement. 

Try the following or other similar situartions to practice setting boundaries and being assertive.

• Did the barrister get your coffee order wrong? Ask them for what you actually ordered.
• Is a family member intruding on your dating life? Say that you'd rather talk about something else.
• Is a work colleague pushing his or her work onto you? Remind them that it isn't within your scope, you are busy with your own work, and direct them to someone who will be of better service.
• Did a friend do something to hurt you? Ask them to meet you for lunch and explain why their words or actions hurt you.
• Someone inviting you to an event and you’re too busy to attend? Let them know ‘’Thanks for thinking of me, but I'm going to say no this time.”

• Start with small adjustments 

• Practice self compassion

• Be confident

• Keep it simple

• No need to explain why 

• No need to apologise 

• You may be able to offer an alternative 

• Be clear about what “Yes” means

How to build a close and trusting relationship with clients while maintaining professional boundaries.

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We can learn so much from people's experiences of therapy. When someone shares their story of what they have found helpful and harmful, we need to reflect on what we are doing in our practices. 

I have learned so much from the storied Ben and Carrie share on their podcast, Very Bad Therapy, and it was an absolute pleasure speaking to them for this episode on the Inside Social Work Podcast. 

About this weeks guests 

Ben Fineman is the cohost of the Very Bad Therapy podcast. He works as the Clinic Director of Sentio Counseling Center and the Chief Operating Officer of Sentio University, two new nonprofit organizations which use the emerging science of Deliberate Practice to improve the quality of therapist training and education. Ben is also an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California.

Carrie Wiita is the other host of the Very Bad Therapy podcast. She runs MFT California, a free resource for those who want to become marriage and family therapists in California, and she coaches early-career clinicians from the grad school application process through their professional development as service providers.

MFT California - https://www.mftcalifornia.com/

Very Bad Therapy - https://www.verybadtherapy.com/

Sentio Counseling Center - https://www.sentiocc.org/

Sentio University - https://sentio.org/

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Impostor syndrome

What is imposter syndrome?

It’s not the same as having self-doubt. Sometimes when we learn a new skill or we’re trying something new for the first time we might not be confident and feel that we do it well. 

Impostor syndrome is different it’s more about feeling like you’re going to get found out. It can impact your ability to perform and impact your career

So what can we do?

A good place to start is to try and recognise it.

Therapy and supervision can be helpful 

Talking to friends and trusted peers 

Look at the system, what is happening in the work environment?

Some things that have been recommended include keeping a diary and writing down positive feedback - cultivating a practice of - listening, to take in the positive responses.

The article mentioned in today's episode

https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome

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The importance of investing in ourselves with Helen Gray

Website - https://helengray.com.au/

Reset Your Mindset - Free webinar on the 4 steps to change your thoughts and change your future - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/x/reset-your-mindset-4-steps-to-change-your-thoughts-change-your-future-tickets-290056696387

REIGNITE - the professional wellbeing coaching program for health and social welfare practitioners - https://members.helengray.com.au/reignite/

Thriving Leadership Through Change workshops - YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0G1xhJnRE&t=1s

To chat to Helen about her work or learn more please email on [email protected] or book in for a chat at https://helengray.youcanbook.me/

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Anxiety in Teens 

• What is anxiety
• How to identify anxiety in teens
• Tips on how to initiate a conversation with your teen about their anxiety
• Self-help strategies
• How to know when your child may need professional help and what options are available

Piera unpacks some of the signs and symptoms of anxiety in teens.

She shares ways to start conversations with teens using the 5 steps of emotion coaching. 

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Visit the website for the latest info and show notes https://insidesocialwork.com/

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

Blog posts 

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/how-can-i-approach-someone-with-depression-or-anxiety/ 

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/difficultconversationsteens/

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training 

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/youth-mental-health-first-aid/

MHFA australia mhfa.com.au/

Here are the details to the free webinar series I am running, feel free to share it around.

https://mailchi.mp/1233dcd926c2/untitled-page

EMDR explained, with Caroline Burrows.

Caroline is an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant with a background in Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy. Through the delivery of innovative EMDR training and consultation services, she encourages, inspires and motivates EMDR therapists in their clinical work. She is also an experienced clinical supervisor. Caroline has 15 years of experience providing therapeutic services across community, hospital, medical and university settings. She is the Owner and Director of Mindful Living, a successful group private practice in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. As the EMDR Coordinator at The Melbourne Clinic, Caroline developed the first inpatient hospital EMDR program in Victoria, Australia. Outside of work Caroline is an animal lover and enjoys walking her dogs, laughing and sharing meals with friends and family.  

Carolines private practice Mindful Living in Croydon, where people can access EMDR therapy (either in-person or online): www.mindfulliving.com.au

Carolines website where people can find out more about her EMDR training, consultation and clinical supervision services: www.carolineburrows.com.au

Upcoming MHPN meeting, Footscray Youth Network 

Ever wondered how you can support young people who may be struggling with mental health challenges? In this episode, I talk through the importance of recognising early signs, fostering supportive environments, and knowing the essential steps to guide young people towards help. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who wants to support the next generation, this episode dives into practical strategies to promote mental wellness in teens and young adults.

Mental health first aid is like traditional first aid, but it’s about responding to mental health concerns with the same readiness and care. I’ll share insights from my experience working in schools and private practice, along with key skills that can make a real difference in someone’s life.

• Recognising signs: Understand the clusters of symptoms to look out for when someone may be struggling.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid options: Overview of the course formats, including the hybrid model and two-day workshop options.
• Knowing your role: Learn about the boundaries of mental health first aid and why it’s essential not to go beyond what’s safe.
• Having the conversation: Practical tips on how to approach sensitive topics with young people, making the conversation safe and non-judgmental.
• Crisis response: Steps to take when a young person is experiencing a mental health crisis and when to seek further help.
• Prevention and self-care: Insights into everyday practices that support mental wellness, from regular exercise to engaging in meaningful conversations.
• The impact on youth: Stats on how mental health affects young people in Australia and why early intervention matters.
• Encouraging help-seeking: Simple strategies to help young people feel comfortable asking for support when they need it.

• Mental Health First Aid Australia: mhfa.com.au
• The Therapy Hub (for course details and registration): therapyhub.com.au

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Lauchlan has a special interest counselling teens and adults who are experiencing trauma or anxiety, and with people from LGBTIQA+ communities.

Lauchlan runs LGBTIQA+ small group supervision for practitioners and other professionals. 

If you would like to hear more about Lauchlan’s social work journey check out our earlier interview on episode 20. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-inside-social-work-podcast/id1459084811?i=1000472746380 

Join the Inside Social Work Facebook Group

Join the Inside Social Work Podcast mailing list to get your free social work career guide

Visit the website for the latest info and show notes https://insidesocialwork.com/

Support the show by making a contribution https://www.paypal.me/Insidesocialwork

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, Allison and I discuss the importance of gender-inclusive health care. We discuss ways individual practitioners can show support, be a safe person to talk to and other ways to be a more inclusive practitioner. 

Allison shares with listeners how she recognised a need for inclusive health care and applied for an innovation challenge , to create a gender clinic in Melbourne's West, and won! 

About our guest

Allison Parker  has a wide range of experience in health care, as a nurse and paramedic. Currently Allison is Innovation Lead of the Transgender, Gender Diverse & non binary innovation challenge at IPC Health. 

Some resources Allisons shared

Wyndham City council run Q group, a group for ages 12-25 years of the LGBTIQA+ community- a youth led space to provide support and recreational activities.

[email protected]

For parents to seek support and information about their child’s gender identity

Parents of Gender diverse children:

www.pgdc.org.au

Drummond Street Services has Queerspace for folks who identify as LGBTIQA+ they provide counselling, case management, advocacy and also training and professional development

www.queerspace.org.au

Transgender Victoria TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diveradvocacy. TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy.

www.tgv.org.au

For resources and support

Minus 18- a youth organisation , amazing service to support the young people who are part of the LGBTIQA+ community

 www.minus18.org.au

NWPHN- for resources and training for professionals

www.nwmphn.org.au    

Thorne harbour Health ( formally the Victorian AIDS council): for resources and support for the LGBTIQA+ community and professionals for PD and resources

www.thorneharbour.org

https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/

https://nwmphn.org.au/for-primary-care/trans-gp-module/ 

Join the Inside Social Work Facebook Group

Join the Inside Social Work Podcast mailing list to get your free social work career guide

Visit the website for the latest info and show notes https://insidesocialwork.com/

Support the show by making a contribution https://www.paypal.me/Insidesocialwork

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts!