Career Episodes

Bron is joined by Ceara Rickard (psychologist, Board-Approved Supervisor, and lived experience leader at Life Without Barriers) for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really means to be a psychologist. Ceara shares her journey to working proudly in the NGO and lived experience sector, and challenges the profession to grapple more critically with power, privilege, and human rights. They chat about: 👉🏽 Why lived experience is a legitimate and powerful clinical skill, not something to hid...

Bron is joined by Tiffany, a licensed psychotherapist based in Switzerland, to chat about the emotional realities of starting out in therapy and what it’s like working in mental health on the other side of the world. They chat about: 👉🏽 Why personal therapy helped Tiffany become a better clinician 👉🏻 Feeling like you’re “drowning and swimming at the same time” when starting therapy work 👉 How comparison and perfectionism can fuel early-career self-doubt 👉🏼 The differences between Australian a...

Bron is joined by Dr Catherine Hart (Clinical Psychologist and Director of Succoris Psychology) to chat about how to stay relevant and innovative as a mental health worker in a rapidly changing mental health landscape. They chat about: 👉 Why innovation in psychology often comes from necessity 👉 How small changes in systems or services can improve client care 👉 Why many clinicians want more variety than full-time one-to-one therapy 👉 Managing fear of failure and backlash from colleagues when t...

Bron speaks with Dr Hayley D Quinn (former clinical psychologist turned anti-burnout coach) about the realities of working in mental health when you’re still finding your feet including self-doubt, emotional load, and the pressure to feel more competent than you actually feel. Hayley also shares her personal story of changing careers from clinical psychology to business coaching, and how self-compassion helped her through this enormous period of change. They chat about: 👉🏽 Early-career self-d...

Bron is joined by Dr Alix Woolard, a Senior Research Fellow at The Kids Research Institute, to give us an insider peek into the world of being a youth mental health researcher. Along the way, we chat about how research and clinical work can complement each other, the challenges and triumphs of research, and the importance of a supportive team. We also discuss practical steps for early-career mental health professionals interested in dipping their toes into the research world. Thank you Alix for ...

Raimy-Rose joins Bron to discuss her journey as a disability advocate and personal trainer specialising in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Raimy shares her journey from traditional work environments to running her own business serving a community she is deeply passionate about. We talk about the challenges people with disability face in standard work settings, the benefits and flexibility entrepreneurship provides, and the importance of inclusive workspaces. Raimy also opens up about her personal ...

Bron is joined by Rosemary Gattuso (Trauma-Informed Family Mediator) to talk about the role of a mediator in the family court and Rosemary's special interest in helping people manage overthinking. We chat about what family mediation is, what it involves (and what it doesn't), and then go on to practical strategies for managing overthinking that early-career mental health professionals can apply to themselves and use in their work. Thanks so much for coming on to the podcast, Rosemary, I loved th...

In this solo ep, Bron reflects on five years of registration as a psychologist. She shares her Top 10 reflections and what she wishes she had known starting out. From shifts in professional identity, changes in approaches to therapy, and thoughts on finding your professional tribe, Bron offers her reflections on her early-career years (which she hopes will prompt your own reflections!). THE END BITS Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health...

Many of us have been told to 'follow your passion' when it comes to choosing a career, but is that good advice? Bron and Marie look into the research-backed factors that predict whether you'll think your job is a dream or a flop. Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & Couples Therapist at The Therapy Hub LINKS Article discussed in this episode: "We reviewed over 60 studies about what makes for a dream job. Here’s what we found." This Complex Life - ...

Bron and creative arts therapist Abi Jenkins chat about her journey from full-time employment to private practice as an early-career dance therapist. Abi shares her insights on balancing creativity with financial sustainability, the importance of setting boundaries, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with working in aged care and private practice. We also chat about dance therapy and tips for making the leap into private practice! Thanks for sharing your passion for dance ther...

Bron and Jordan do a deep-dive on the registrar program for psychologists -- this is the massive training program that psychologists undertake when they want to gain endorsement in an area such as clinical, counselling, or educational & developmental psychology. Jordan shares her personal experience completing the Ed & Dev Registrar program, covering topics like supervision, professional development, and building confidence as a therapist, and offer tips for navigating the program successfully. ...

Bron and Shane (Community Psych Registrar) dive into Community Psychology! We talk about 👉🏽 the role and functions of community psychologists 👉🏻 the discipline's focus on addressing societal and systemic issues 👉 Shane's personal journey and experiences within the profession 👉🏿 the decreasing number of community psychologists in Australia 👉🏾 the integration of political and social advocacy within psychological practice. LOVE love loved this chat, thank you Shane! Guest: Shane Puxley, Communit...

Bron and James talk about organisational psychology! We cover how org psychs apply psychological principles in the workplace, the differences between org psychs and HR managers, and what jobs are available in org psych. We also touch on portfolio careers, psychosocial hazards, and how to get involved in org psych. Thanks for the very interesting insight into this fascinating field, James! Guest: James Cowan, Organisational Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor LINKS National Career Deve...

Bron and Jordan talk about everything educational and developmental psychology! We chat about how ed/dev psychologists apply psychological principles to enhance learning across the lifespan and Jordan's particular for supporting neurodivergent and gifted/twice-exceptional individuals. We also get real about some of the challenges of ed/dev psychology, including the financial burdens of the registrar program and the need for broader recognition within psychology. Listen in to show ed/dev psychs s...

Bron and Carol unpack how complaints about psychologists are managed by AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia. We chat about how notifications are initiated, common complaints, the aims of the complaints process, and how to minimise the risk of receiving a complaint. We round off with some practical tips and emphasise the importance of social and professional support if you have received a notification. We know that this topic is really scary for a lot of psychologists 😨, and hope you feel...

Recent studies have found that up to 62% of counselling professionals are receiving harmful supervision... but no-one is talking about it. In this episode, Bron unpacks what harmful supervision is, its impact on supervisee wellbeing and professional development, and what to do if you're receiving harmful supervision. Bron also discusses how to recognise inadequate vs harmful vs helpful supervision. LINKS Bron is hosting our first online hangout on 16th July at 5:30pm AEST! Join the Patreon t...

Bron and Matthew chat about career opportunities in psychology beyond the therapy chair and, if you're already a qualified psychologist, beyond completing the Registrar program. We refer to ✨shiny✨ new research from researchers at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University showing that the skills gained during a psychology degree are in-demand across a range of industries (hooray!). We reckon this episode is a good antidote to existential dread about your future career, so...

Bron chats with Jordan about why she chose to work as a contractor and how she knew it was time to open her own private practice. We also unpack what you need to know if you're considering contract work, including 👉🏼 What's a fair split arrangement? 👉 How do I know if I'm a contractor or an employee? 👉🏿 The importance of understanding the financial side of contracting. Guest: Jordan Turner, Educational & Developmental Registrar LINKS Jordan's previous episodes: Working with parents and kids,...

Dr Bron and Dr Michael deep dive into the world of PhDs. They chat about 👉🏽 their very different experiences of doing a PhD 👉🏻 How doing a PhD has helped Bron to be a better therapist 👉 How Michael has used his PhD as a postdoctoral researcher & PhD supervisor 👉🏿 Tips, tricks, and considerations if you're thinking of studying a PhD. Guest: Dr Michael English, Postdoctoral Researcher ✨ SPECIAL NEWS ✨ The Mental Work podcast has a NEW sponsor -- The Australian Association of Psychologists In...

Bron and Hayley unpack the career pathways that psychologists can take to achieve their financial goals. They chat about 👉🏽 Pros and cons of the one-to-one standard way of working 👉🏻 Hayley's career journey into 'one to many' offerings and business coaching 👉 What Hayley views as the next stage in the Psychology profession 👉🏿 How early career psychs can be part of the change! Guest: Dr Hayley Kelly, CEO and Founder of Therapists Rising / Host of the Therapists Rising podcast THE END BITS Ment...

Bron is joined by Psychologist Belinda Radnidge to unpack what to do when you've worked your butt off to get qualified only to discover that doing therapy all day isn't actually your jam. In this reassuring ep Belinda and Bron discuss 👉🏽 signs that client-facing work really isn't for you vs you're experiencing a confidence dip 👉🏻 career alternatives in psychology (there's heaps!) 👉 how to get started down a different career pathway. Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an early-career p...

Bron is joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Catherine Hart to unpack contracting work. Our popular Season 1 ep with Catherine focused on what contractors can expect salary-wise, and this time around we are focusing on how to work out whether your contracting arrangement is more like an employee relationship, why this matters, and what to do if you suspect your working arrangement isn't all that fair to you at all. Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an early-career psychologist. LI...

Bron is joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Emma DeCicco to unpack what goes into building a workplace that ACTUALLY works for early career psychologists. They talk about 👉🏽 the challenging landscape that early-career psychs are currently facing 👉 core emotional needs of early-career psychs 👉🏿 ways that workplaces can reduce burnout 👉🏾 finding a workplace that works for you! Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an early-career psychologist. Find our more about Emma and her psycholog...

Bron is joined by Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Kirstin Bouse to unpack the needs of early career therapists. We talk about 👉🏽 "Maslow's hierarchy of early-career needs" 👉🏻 the basics of business that early career therapists need to understand 👉 signs you're in a crappy workplace and how to get out 👉🏿 why personal development is essential for early career therapists. Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an early-career psychologist. You can learn more about Kirstin at the Psycholo...