Episodes

Bron is joined by specialist in workplace psychosocial hazards, Jason van Schie, to talk about the kinds of psychosocial hazards mental health workers may encounter at work, their impacts, and practical steps to protect your wellbeing at work. Jason also highlights the shared responsibility between employers and employees in managing these risks and offers valuable advice for those feeling the strain. Tune in to learn how to navigate workplace challenges and maintain mental health in demanding e...

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...

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and its emotional impacts. Specific methods or cases are not discussed. Please take care while listening, and we encourage you to pause or stop listening as needed. Every day in Australia, an average of 9 people die by suicide and their loss is felt deeply by their family, loved ones, communities, and the mental health professionals involved in their care. The impact of client loss on mental health professionals often goes unspoken,...

It's a listener story! 🥳 Tess is a provisional psychologist studying her Master of Clinical Psychology and in this ep, she shares exactly what it's like including overcoming perfectionism, imposter syndrome, the value of supportive peers and supervisors, juggling study and work, and other thoughts on her journey towards full registration as a psychologist. Tess also talks about her deeply important Masters research on postpartum psychosis. Thanks Tess for this wonderful conversation and best wis...

Hello! Bron here - I'm looking for new episode ideas and guests. This podcast is for you, so I want to hear from you! If you would like to be a guest to chat about a topic that early-career mental health workers should know about, I'd love to hear from you! Topic and guest suggestions: Contact me at mentalworkpodcast.com/contact or DM me on Instagram @_mentalworkpodcast Be a guest: Apply at mentalworkpodcast.com/p/guest Email me at mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

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 ...

Not all mental health professionals experience burnout, but if they do, they might not realise just how bad it is. Matthew returns to the pod to chat with Bron about the five phases of burnout, starting from the honeymoon phase to the habitual burnout phase. Drawing from personal experiences and research, Matthew provides practical strategies for early career mental health workers to identify and manage burnout. Bron and Matthew also discuss the emotional, physical, and existential components of...

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 and Jordan are two neurodivergent psychologists, and in this episode we chat about the strengths we bring to the role and challenges we have faced in light of our neurodivergence. We talk about attention to detail, hyperfocus, empathy, self-doubt, rejection sensitivity, the decision to disclose neurodivergence, maintaining professional boundaries, and how to maximise strengths and minimise challenges - this episode has it all! We know our experiences are our own and will not be generalisabl...

Bron is joined by Liz, a clinical and counseling psychologist & IVF coach to chat about the unique challenges neurodivergent people face during IVF treatment (that's In Vitro Fertilisation treatment), and how we can best support them. Liz shares her personal experiences as a late-diagnosed autistic woman and highlights the sensory overload, emotional stress, and medical trauma involved. Tune in to learn about practical strategies, the importance of psychological flexibility, and the trauma-infor...

We welcome our first occupational therapist guest, Emma Craske! 🥳 Bron and Emma chat about what it's like working as an OT before turning to Emma's passion topic, sensory modulation therapy. Emma talks about how sensory modulation can help clients with a range of challenges and gets specific about the techniques that might be used in a session. I really enjoyed learning about this creative and practical approach to helping client's feel safe and regulated, and hope you do too! Guest: Emma Cra...

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...

Bron is joined by Samantha to unpack imagery rescripting and reprocessing therapy (IRRT), a technique well-known in Germany but relatively unknown in Australia. We also talk about Samantha's journey of moving to Australia to practice psychology and interesting differences in how therapy is delivered. Samantha also shares the importance of finding a therapeutic approach that resonates with you, rather than feeling pressured to learn everything all at once. Guest: Samantha Duroska , Clinical Ps...

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...