Episodes

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...

We covered imposter syndrome wayyy back when the podcast started in 2021 - it's time for a revisit now that we're older and... wiser? Bron is joined by Marie to share new thoughts and research on how imposter syndrome affects early career mental health workers, how feelings of self-doubt can both hinder and help, how workplace environments play a significant role in fueling imposter syndrome, and what helps to reduce imposter feelings. If you've ever felt like an imposter, this episode is for yo...

Bron and Marie (Mental Health Social Worker) dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions about how to decline seeing clients who aren't a good fit, promoting yourself in a competitive market, and what to do when another mental health professional in your local area muscles in on your niche - are they are your friend or foe? 🤔 We covered a lot of ground in this episode and hope you enjoy the discussion! Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & C...

It's a quick solo episode with Bron! I chat about why closing my solo private practice after four years was the right decision for me, how I feel after taking a break from clinical work for 6 months, the factors that influence job satisfaction in mental health, and opportunities for growth in non-private roles. LINKS Tim Ballard - Job-Related Predictors of Satisfaction Among Australian Workers THE END BITS Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career mental health workers about wo...

Bron is joined by Anita (newly registered psychologist) to chat about Anita's journey through her internship and early career, exploring topics like psychological safety at work, burnout prevention, and tricky contract clauses such as non-competes and supervision repayments. Anita reflects on how she found the right supervision and workplace, as well as the lessons she has learned along the way. Thank you Anita for your clarity and practical tips on these important topics - early-career listener...

Bron is joined by Danielle Graber to explore a no-nonsense approach to burnout prevention called S.P.A.R.K.S. Danielle shares how her experience during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns sparked the creation of this method, and together they unpack why traditional self-care often falls short. The conversation redefines what therapist wellness really means, highlights the importance of genuine, sustainable self-care, and shows how practical strategies can improve both clinician wellbeing and client outc...

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 is joined by Dr Hayley Kelly for an honest conversation about why therapist visibility matters now more than ever, especially for early-career professionals. Hayley challenges the status quo, calling for innovation in the mental health profession to meet the growing community need for evidence-based expertise and support. She explores why many therapists feel the urge to shrink, and how to break free from staying small. Hayley also shares the story behind her viral social media post that le...

Bron and Marie (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) explore how mental health workers can sometimes hold idealised, unrealistic expectations of one another – and how this can lead to surprise or disappointment when we encounter each other’s emotion regulation struggles or interpersonal differences. We discuss the importance of holding realistic expectations, and of meeting our own humanity with humility and ongoing self-reflection. This is a non-judgemental and practical conversation about w...

Bron and Jazmin (Social Worker, Consultant) discuss how early career mental health workers can maintain their well-being while balancing the demands of work and life. Jazmin shares her journey, from struggling with work-life boundaries to finding strategies that helped her prioritise self-care and family time. She emphasises the importance of reflective practice, supervision, and setting realistic goals. Jazmin also touches on the 'Advice Monster' concept and how to manage unsolicited help-seeki...

It's our first MAILBAG episode, woo hoo! 🥳 In this ep, Marie (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) and Bron (Psychologist) answer listener questions: How should I prepare for my first ever client? When should I niche? What pay should I expect for my first job in mental health? How do I protect my mental health when working in private practice? We share a whole bunch of practical info in bite-sized responses. This was a really fun conversation and we covered A LOT! Thanks to all the listeners ...

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...