Beyond worksheets: How letting go can make you a better therapist (with Renae Martelli)

Bron and guest Renae Martelli explore how letting go of the tools and strategies we cling to as early-career therapists might actually make us better at our jobs. We unpack what happens when we stop trying to “do” therapy perfectly and instead tune in to the client, the context, and the process.

👉🏽 We cover:

• Why tools and worksheets can sometimes hold us back

• The shift from doing therapy to being a therapist

• How supervision helps refine your therapist lens

• Letting go of self-criticism and embracing self-compassion in your practice

Expect practical insights, plenty of “I’ve done that too” moments, and an honest conversation about what it really takes to grow as a therapist. Thanks Renae! 😊

Guest: Renae Martelli, Psychologist, supervisor and owner of Think Feel Grow

LINKS

• Renae's private practice
• Renae's Instagram
• Renae's LinkedIn
• The DNA-V model (We talked about this approach in the episode) 

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career mental health workers about working in mental health. Hosted by Psychologist/Researcher Dr 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, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

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

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

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 and language. 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 unceded Whadjuk Noongar land.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a clinical or non-clinical 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 employer, service, or organisation past or present. 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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.