Episodes

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...

Prompted by the upcoming Australian Federal election, in this solo ep Bron unpacks whether psychologists should speak up about political issues or remain politically neutral. Bron also walks through the AHPRA code of conduct, AHPRA social media guidelines, and other considerations for those who want to advocate for change. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of psychology and politics! LINKS Wells, R., & Behardian O'Doherty, S. (2020). "What is an activist-practiti...

Bron is joined by Shane (Community Psychologist) to chat about reflective practice groups and how they can be a great tool for preventing burnout in early-career clinicians. We chat about what reflective practice groups involve, how they can reduce feelings of isolation (that "I'm the only one experiencing this" feeling), and how you can implement reflective practices in our workplace, supervision group, or regular peer consultation. Thanks Shane for opening up the conversation about this great ...

Bron is joined by Caitlin Bell (Copywriter and clinical psychologist) to chat about her unique career path. That's right, it's a listener story! 🥳 Caitlin shares her journey from a winding educational path to finding a home in her creative passion for copywriting. We talk about imposter syndrome, burnout, professional identity, and the challenges of balancing dual careers - this episode has it all! Guest: Caitlin Bell, Copywriter at Bell Copy Co, Psychologist, and Host of Healers with Hustles...

Last year, Bron participated in a week-long program called "Pathways to Politics", which aims to equip women with the skills and confidence to run for office. Before going in, Bron knew as much about politics as many people, in that it usually involves intense debates, democracy sausages, and a fair bit of drama. She left the program knowing so much more, and felt very inspired to share with you what the program involves, what she learnt, and why she believes there should be more mental health w...

Bron and Dr. Kate Jackowski (Forensic Psychologist) chat about working within Australia's family court system. We talk about what it's like to write court reports, the intricacies of family court assessments, what Kate finds rewarding about this line of work, and how to maintain objectivity and self-care when working with sensitive subject matter. Bron had a lot of beginner questions about the Family Court, which makes the episode perfect for early-career clinicians looking to demystify forensic...

You've probably heard that the therapeutic relationship involves things like rapport building and empathy, but what else is there, and what IS a 'therapeutic relationship' anyway?? 🧐 Here to chat about these questions and more is experienced psychologist Claire Trevitt! Bron and Claire dig deeper into concepts like genuineness, transference and countertransference, and why self-reflection in a therapeutic relationship matters. Claire also shares her journey from a CBT-trained psychologist to emb...

A lot of the work we do in mental health focuses on helping people who are already unwell, but what if we could stop them getting unwell in the first place? That's what our guest today, Ally, is passionate about. She started a whole organisation called Mind Blank to give people and communities the tools they need to proactively take care of their mental health, and she uses her passion for theatre to make sure the information sticks. In today's ep, we hear about how Ally's lived experience led h...

Bron and Marie unpack the money beliefs that unconsciously shape how much we earn and what we charge as mental health professionals. We talk about the unspoken anxiety around money shared by many of us, and practical strategies for managing discomfort around adequately charging for services. Bron also wonders, just how much is therapy "worth" and is there an upper ceiling? Tune-in for a really important chat! Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & Co...

Bron and Marie chat about the comments that therapists make when they want to talk about what's happening right here and now in the therapy room -- you might know them as 'here and now' comments, process comments, or immediacy comments. They can be tricky to use and master, particularly early in our career! Marie takes us through some ways to build confidence in making these comments, and Bron talks about how she started small when trying to increase her use of 'here and now' comments in therapy...

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 is joined by Dr Carollyne Youssef, Forensic Psychologist, to chat about how to respond well when a subpoena comes. We cover legal obligations, maintaining client confidentiality, practical tips for navigating subpoenas, common mistakes psychologists can make, and the importance of seeking legal advice and support through supervision. This is such a jam-packed episode with so much good information - I know you will love it and feel reassured by Carollyne's clear guidance! Thank you so muc...

Initially overwhelmed by the severest phase of burnout, in this Part 2 episode Matthew discusses his journey of self-reflection, acceptance, and gradual recovery. Bron and Matt delve into the stages of burnout, and the transformational shift Matthew undertook to cope and regain his sense of self. We again thank Matthew for his courage and vulnerability during this episode, and we hope this episode resonates with listeners 💖 This is Part 2 of Matthew's journey through burnout. If you haven't l...

In this deeply personal episode, Matthew shares his experience of hitting the depths of burnout and making the difficult decision to leave his career as a therapist. We discuss the warning signs of burnout, the importance of recognising when therapy work no longer aligns with you, and the courage it takes to step into the unknown. We also explore the stigma surrounding career changes in psychology and how to navigate the uncertainty of forging a new path. A huge thank you to Matthew for his h...

Bron is joined by Karen Knight and Courtney McKee, two experienced psychologists with lived experience of blindness. We dive into 👉 their personal journey with psychology, including their passions, the challenges, and the opportunities for psychologists living with disability 👉🏽 accessibility, technology, and advocacy 👉🏿 the strengths and unique perspectives they bring to their work. The episode offers valuable advice for aspiring and early career mental health workers living with disability and...

Bron chats with Georgina about her journey of gaining her psychologist registration in Australia before moving to the UK. We chat about the differences between healthcare systems in Aus and the UK, the challenges and rewards of working internationally, managing imposter syndrome, and the benefits of diverse career experiences. This was a fantastic chat which I think our early-career listeners will love, thanks so much Georgina!! 😊🥰 Guest: Georgina Lennard, Clinical Psychologist LINKS Lear...

Bron and Danielle dive into animal assisted therapy! Danielle tells us how animals, especially dogs, can be integrated into therapy to support psychological treatment. Danielle shares her journey into animal assisted therapy, the science behind it, and its benefits for both children and adults, especially those with trauma histories. We also cover practical aspects of implementing animal assisted therapy, training requirements, and the importance of self-care in the profession. Guest: Daniell...

As mental health workers, we are so used to giving to others that our own needs can be neglected, especially our physical health. In this episode, exercise physiologist Jamie tells us about how to keep physically healthy, including 👉 myths around 'correct' posture 👉🏿 the role of incidental exercise 👉🏽 integrating movement into a busy workday 👉🏼 and BONUS! Jamie chats about the positives and challenges of running a psychology practice from a non-psychologist's perspective. Thanks so much for this...

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 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...

Writing a good case report is an essential skill for mental health workers but it's a hard one to master! Annie Slater has seen so many case reports in her role as Director of the Provisional Psychologist Network and knows exactly what makes a great case report. In this ep, she describes the common mistakes she sees, essential tips, resources for improving the process, and how to make the task more manageable. If you're undertaking a placement or supervised practice where you need to write case ...

Bron and Marie talk about the pressure some solo private practitioners feel to start a group practice. Bron and Marie talk about wise and not-so-wise reasons to become a group practice owner, the importance of having an entrepreneurial mindset, dealing with financial insecurity and the importance of business coaching. Marie shares her own journey from solo to group practice owner, and Bron shares her reasons for staying solo! Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW)...