Complex Clinical Practice Episodes

Bron is joined by Patricia Gallagher (psychologist & EMDR consultant) to unpack how early-career clinicians can safely and confidently support survivors of family and domestic violence. They chat about: 👉🏽 The difference between toxic relationships and coercive control 👉 How to respond when clients don’t recognise they’re in an abusive relationship 👉🏿 Managing rescuer instincts and countertransference as therapists 👉🏾 Supporting clients who cannot safely leave a relationship yet 👉🏼 EMDR, stab...

Bron is joined by Chris Long, psychologist, to unpack two of the most widely used trauma therapies: EMDR and Trauma-Focused CBT. If you’re an early-career clinician who feels nervous about trauma work, overwhelmed by the number of approaches out there, or worried about “making things worse” by asking clients about trauma, this episode is for you. They chat about: 👉🏽 Common fears early-career psychologists have about trauma work 👉🏻 How trauma-focused CBT uses exposure and behavioural experimen...

Bron is joined by Ben Searle (Organisational Psychologist and burnout researcher) to unpack what it really looks like to treat clients with severe burnout. Ben shares his own experience of burning out during COVID after years of researching stress, and why even doing “all the right things” didn’t lead to quick recovery. They chat about: 👉🏽 Why burnout is still poorly understood and often lacks clear treatment pathways 👉🏻 How to tell the difference between stress and severe burnout in your cli...

Bron speaks with Dr Lyn O’Grady (community psychologist and suicidology researcher) about person-centred suicide prevention. Lyn shares how decades of work across communities, schools, projects and private practice shaped her understanding of suicidality and why relying solely on checklists can shut down meaningful conversations. They chat about: 👉🏽 How person-centred care differs from traditional risk assessments 👉🏻 The limits of low/medium/high suicide-risk categories 👉🏿 Using risk formulat...

Bron and guest Dr Amy Talbot discuss how to manage the emotional and clinical challenges that often show up when working with complex presentations. Amy shares her journey, starting with treating enduring eating disorders to tackling less understood issues like tic disorders. Then we go through practical strategies for managing our own emotional responses to complex clients. The episode offers practical tips for dealing with anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty, stressing the importance of supe...

Bron and Michael (Mental Work podcast editor) unpack the complex and often misunderstood topic of dissociation in children and adolescents. Drawing on Bron’s recent experience as a researcher in this area, they explore what dissociation is, how it shows up in young people, common causes, and why early recognition is so important. They also dive into gaps in research, the lack of youth-specific treatments, and share practical strategies to help clinicians feel more confident when working with dis...

Bron and Aimee (Clinical Psychologist) dive into Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition estimated to affect 3-8% of menstruating women. Aimee talks about the differences between PMDD and PMS and how to effectively support clients with this condition. We also chat about Aimee's DBT-informed treatment model, common misconceptions, and the intersections of PMDD with ADHD. This episode is a must-listen for early career mental health workers looking to better understand and support clien...

Bron and Sam chat about how to work well with clients who come to therapy with religious trauma. They chat about 👉🏽 Sam's experience and passion for this area 👉 Therapeutic approaches for religious trauma 👉🏿 Balancing respecting clients' beliefs and addressing harm 👉🏾 Misconceptions and biases therapists may have 👉🏻 supporting LGBTQIA+ people. This was a deeply engaging chat -- I learned SO much, thank you Sam! 🥰 Guest: Samantha Sellers, Therapist and Clinical Supervisor at Anchored Counselli...

Bron and Dr Catherine Hynes (Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Consultant) cover the essentials of complex trauma. They chat about 👉🏽 Understanding and formulating complex trauma 👉🏻 The differences between PTSD and complex PTSD 👉 Strategies for creating a safe therapeutic space for clients 👉🏿 Managing vicarious trauma as a therapist 👉🏾 Catherine's preferred therapeutic methods for complex trauma. Dr Catherine was extremely generous with her expertise, so this episode truly is jam-packed with valuab...

Bron chats with Matthew about Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and its application for folks diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We dive into the stigma surrounding BPD and discuss how reframing BPD as a trauma response can help us to be more compassionate practitioners. Matthew explains the core components of DBT, the importance of a supportive therapeutic relationship, and his favourite DBT strategies. Guest: Matthew Jackson, Intensively Trained DBT Psychologist. LIN...

Bron and Sherry-Lee explore the application of trauma-informed approaches, particularly Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to eating disorders. We dive into 👉🏿 trauma-informed care 👉🏽 adapting trauma therapy for clients with eating disorders 👉 What EMDR is and how it can be used to help clients with eating disorders. Guest: Sherry-Lee Smith - Director of the Phoenix Holistic Health Centre, Psychologist, EMDR Consultant, Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician LINKS K...

Eating disorders are complex but don't stress, we're here to help. Bron and Harriet chat about 👉🏿 The critical roles that body dissatisfaction, shame, and perfectionism play in eating disorders 👉🏾 Treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) and Maudsley Family Therapy 👉🏻 The importance of being aware of your own attitudes towards weight and shape 👉 Why treatment plans need to be client-centred 👉🏼 Guidance if you're interested in specialising in eating disorders. ...