This Complex Life

Hear about how Suzanne moved from an interest in science and nursing to becoming a social worker. 

Suzanne is very passionate about the student experience and feels having a good placement can be a great start to your career. 

‘’Because we do it for someone, we assume someone should do it for us. No one does it for us.’’ 

Self-care tips from Suzanne:

• Only take on clients who she’s passionate about/ enjoys
• Doing the kind of work you enjoy doing
• Fierce with her family time and protecting it 

Ways to get involved (and make lifelong friends)

Read the AASW newsletter, there are lots of resources and expressions of interest.

Attend a peer supervision group

Go to a MHPN network meeting

Facebook group the business of social work 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1919283988289631/

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https://insidesocialwork.com/episode25/

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

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This week’s episode takes a look at something a little different, getting a job. Kate Taylor, founder and managing director of Taylor care recruitment, shares with the inside social work listeners a range of tips and advice to land that perfect job.

Kates tips for students on placement (what opportunities should they take up to improve their employability for when they graduate ?)

• Encourage them to be proactive
• Use opportunities to network
• Know people and managers and teams
• Know the organisation
• Have a good work ethic
• Take it seriously like its a job, 
• Offer to do other roles, like support work, volunteer 
• Show your teachable
• I know you’re really busy, when is the best time to talk to you
• Be proactive 

Tips for new graduates, how they can enhance their resume and make themselves someone stand out?

Kate says it’s very competitive, there are some people with lots of experience.

Her tips include 

• Be proactive and contact people, follow up with the application. 
• Show you’re eager, enthusiastic, techable 

Kates tips for your resume

You have about 15 seconds to impress someone so make sure your resume is

• Clear
• Formatt it correctly
• Promote your best self, this is not the time to undersell yourself
• Make it clear why they should call YOU

Before  sending off your resume, Kate recommends you call and ask the employer more details about the job. Do your homework – check the organisation 

I asked Kate how do you balance being humble in your resume while also highlighting/ showcasing your skills and achievements.

Kate says 

• Confidence is better then arrogant
• Confidence is contagious
• This about what’s the thing  that you bring?
• Always be teachable  

Kates tips for networking / getting yourself out there 

• Get into lots of groups /social media
• Ask for feedback and ideas?
• Have a linkedin profile 
• Seek profile – optimised 

In the interview

You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. 

• Do your homework on the organisation
• Prepare before the interview – take some deep breaths

Kates self care tips

• Get a Business coach or supervisor 
  • They help keep you accountable and motivated
  
  
• Professional development  
• Exercise – move my body everyday 
• Gratitude practice 
• Meditation 

If you don’t get the job you want? Remember  ‘’Every no it’s getting you closer to the yes’’

Resources mentioned in this week’s episode 

https://www.taylorcare.com.au/

https://www.taylorcare.com.au/future-proof-your-career

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNlklFur8hXsfYyx1Esz2Tw

https://www.taylorcare.com.au/tv

Join the Inside Social Work Facebook Group

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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 where ever you get your podcasts!

This week's episode explores the world of school social work. I talk with Kylie Lloyd, who shares her experiences transitioning into social work as a mature student, while balancing the requirements of the degree and also being a single mother of 2 children.

Kylie shares her experience being a learner as an adult and how she transitioned from HR to volunteering for Lifeline then making the jump into social work. She talks about how hard it can be mentally and financially to study again while also looking at how rewarding it can be. Kylie shares her experiences and the highs and lows that come with working in an environment where you're the minority profession.

We talk about the challenges working with families and Kylie sheds some light into working with young people in a school environment and how she navigates the system, advocating for young people while also balancing the often competing needs of different stakeholders. 

As a family therapist in training Kylie lets us in on some of the ways her thinking has changed and some of the ways she's incorporating systems work and family work into her work with young people. 

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Support the show by making a contribution

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In this week's episode, Katrina shares her experience working with families in a school setting and in a hospital setting. Katrina has written an article looking at family therapy for child and adolescent school refusal which can be found in the show notes. 

Katrina is a clinical family therapist and a full clinical member of the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT).  She is an accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW) with the Australian Association of Social Workers, with more than 13 year's experience in tertiary mental health, in addition to working privately for several years. She has undertaken further training in Gottman Method Marital Therapy, Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (FBT), Narrative Therapy, supervision, and more.

Katrina shares some of her tips, tricks and challenges for working with families in what can be a traditionally one-on-one setting.

We talk about school refusal and how we work with families and the school system to support a young person to get back into school. You talk about the importance of a good relationship between the school parents and the clinician working with that whole system.

We look at the role parents can play in supporting young people through the changes they experience in adolescence. Supporting them in their journey moving from primary school to high school and how the role of parenting can change and adapt to these different stages.

Katrina shares with listeners some of her tips for managing her well-being. She talks about the red flags that she's noticed in her own life that indicate maybe she's not doing so well and what she does to keep herself energised, healthy and able to do the work she loves.

https://www.katrinarichardson.com/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anzf.1188

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This week's episode takes a look at working with diversity, in particular with LGBTQIA+ people. The way we communicate is important, it doesn't just communicate the content of what we're doing, it communicates our beliefs and assumptions about the world.  I hope this episode gives you some ideas and tips on how to be more inclusive in your practice. This is a real area of need and we know the stats are alarming for people especially young people if they don't get the right support when they need it. Stigma, fear, and judgment can prevent someone from getting help. 

Josh Muller (they/them) is a registered psychologist passionate about LGBTQIA+ health and well-being. While specialising in gender, sex, and sexuality, they work across the lifespan and a broad range of issues affecting their client’s lives. 

Josh is a great resource and shares some of their tips on how you can be more inclusive, things you can do in your practice, and recommends some resources you can look at if you’d like to learn more.

Josh shares advice on how to be more comfortable talking about sexuality and diversity. 

They encourage you to interrogate your own understanding of things and reflect on your ideas and values of gender and sexuality, 

Resources

https://www.melbournequeerpsychologist.com/ 

https://www.queersexed.org/

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

Support the show by making a contribution

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Subscribe to the podcast

Episode 20: Working close to home, experiences of a social worker in rural Victoria. 

In this episode, Lachlan Slade shares some of his experiences working in rural communities. We talk about some of the challenges of living and working close to your clients and how to have a conversation about appropriate boundaries.  Lachlan shares some of his self-care tips and how he manages to stay energised and enthusiastic about the work he does. 

Lachlan Slade grew up in Shepparton studying in Albury Wodonga, and Bendigo to complete their Social Work degree. Lachlan cofounded the Out in the Open Festival, Shepparton's first LGBTIQ+ Community Festival. Lachlan has dabbled in Community Radio, and Politics. They now teach Social Work at La Trobe University, Shepparton, and they are a Counsellor Advocate at GVCASA while also trying to raise a 5 year old. Lauchlan big tip?

 ‘’Patting yourself on the back when you have the wins. They can be hard to see.’’

Lachlans tips for getting the most out of supervision

• Their theoretical background
• Ask for a one off supervision , to see if it's a good fit
• See if you click with them
• Try out different theoretical frameworks

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

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 https://www.paypal.me/Insidesocialwork

In this week's episode, Louise Hayes explains some of the basic principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT.  

Louise is a clinical psychologist, peer reviewed ACT trainer, an academic, author, speaker and active philanthropist. Louise uses ACT with young people in schools and clinical settings. She is a world expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training (ACT) for young people and the co-author of the best selling book, Get Out of Your Mind and Into your Life for Teenagers: A Guide to Living an Extraordinary Life, and the newly released book, The Thriving Adolescent: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Positive Psychology to Help Teens Manage Emotions, Achieve Goals, and Build Connection.

Resources 

Louise’s books

Website for professional training and more about Louise Hayes - http://www.louisehayes.com.au

Website for working with young people: http://thrivingadolescent.com/

https://www.louisehayes.com.au/publications/

https://www.louisehayes.com.au/workshops-for-professionals/

http://anzact.com/about-us/

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This week's episode Lillian shares some ways we can manage anxiety during tough times. 

We talk about needing alone time, balancing work-life balance and how to support someone when they share with you when they’re in distress.

Lillian Nejad, PhD, is a registered and endorsed clinical psychologist and author with over 20 years of experience in the assessment and treatment of individuals with mild to severe psychological issues and disorders. She currently has a private practice in Brighton, Victoria.  

Lillian's mission is to promote accurate and nonjudgmental views on mental health and to provide REAL information and strategies for a variety of psychological problems, issues and disorders based on REAL evidence and REAL experience in an accessible, genuine and engaging manner that fosters positive change for everyone involved.

Links to Lillian's resources

Coping with Coronavirus Article (also has other helpful MH  blogs and radio segments)

 https://www.lifeblockers.com/post/10-ways-to-cope-with-coronavirus-related-anxiety

Insight Timer: link to three mindfulness/relaxation exercises and two courses

https://insighttimer.com/lnejad

www.omnipsych.com/about 

 Coming soon

www.skillsforlife.courses 

Long version of British Family Les Mis

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/01/825232156/u-k-familys-lockdown-themed-rendition-of-les-mis-is-a-delight  

In my interview with Cathy we talk about the benefits and challenges in running a private practice.  She shares some insights into the fears allied health professionals have in this area.

Cathy Love is an Allied Health Business Coach, Speaker, Author and Occupational Therapist. She is the founding director of Nacre Consulting. She coaches allied health business owners to run powerful businesses that change lives.

In this episode we talk about 

• Marketing yourself and your brand while maintaining boundaries and ethics.
• Personal brand , business brand and product brand
• Choosing / finding a niche and giving up the fear of only ever seeing 1 type of client
• Internal hurdles - feeling guilty for working in private practice
• Getting paid for what you’re worth
• The value you bring to the therapeutic relationship and the impact you have in that person's life
• Things to consider before going into private practice - risk, finances, energy and personality 
• Start as you mean to proceed 
• Wearing too many hats as a business owner 
• The word admin - (goes in the swear jar)

Contact details

[email protected]

www.nacre.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PrivatePracticeMadePerfect

Podcast

 https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/private-practice-made-perfect/id1232035434

Man up, talking men's mental health With Kylie King

In this episode I talk with Kylie King about male suicide. We discuss the language to use when talking about suicide , look at the statistics in Australia and in particular men's mental health.  While unpacking ideas of masculinity we talk about some of the barriers men face seeking help around their mental health. 

Kylie King is a research fellow at the Centre for Mental Health in the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. She is also a psychologist. Her research focuses on male suicide prevention.  She recently led the randomised controlled trial of the impacts of the Man Up documentary, a novel media-based population level television documentary that explored the interplay between masculinity and suicide.

  Resources  

http://manup.org.au/tv-series/study-guide/

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/man-up

Contact Kylie  [email protected] 

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