Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Amanda Feilding about the transformative and therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds and their clinical applications. Amanda Feilding has been called the ‘hidden hand’ behind the renaissance of psychedelic science, and her contribution to global drug policy reform has also been pivotal and widely acknowledged. Amanda w...

In this episode, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Liam O’Donell as a guest on BrainTainment podcast about the importance of psychological flexibility. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Sche...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg about the growing mental health crisis among young people in Australia and ways on how we can all address it. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is one of Australia's highest profile psychologists, author of 14 books, broadcaster and a specialist in corporate mental health, families, parenting, children, adolescents and the use...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Peter Graham about the realities of retirement, the danger of boredom, and how we can prepare emotionally for retirement. Peter Graham has been involved in the financial services industry for over 50 years. Initially, his involvement was with the marketing of life insurance but he quickly moved into the financial planning area when he es...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Kaitlin Harkess about the empirical evidence of yoga and its positive effects to our mental health.  Dr. Kaitlin Harkess is a registered Clinical Psychologist and Senior Yoga Instructor who is passionate about supporting individuals to cultivate healthful and meaningful lives. Kaitlin is particularly interested in integrativ...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr John Gray about how couples can maintain and fuel the spark in their relationships during challenging times of COVID-19. Dr John Gray is the author of the most well-known and trusted relationship book of all time, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus . USA Today listed his book as one of the top 10 most influential books of the las...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Christopher Willard about the science of mindfulness and how it rewires our brains and bodies for greater resilience. Dr. Christopher Willard (PsyD) is a psychologist and educational consultant based in Boston specializing in mindfulness. He has been practicing meditation for 20 years, and has led hundreds of workshops around the worl...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Tara J Lal about raising awareness around suicide and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Tara J Lal is a professional firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW and a PhD candidate at the University of New England. She is the internationally published author of Standing on My Brother’s Shoulders – Making peace with...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Nic Newling about reducing mental health stigma and lowering the barriers of seeking help through helpful conversations. Nic Newling is an outspoken advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and sharing personal stories. Having lived through the experience of suffering with a mood disorder throughout high school and losing his...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Hayley Watson about supporting the mental health of students, parents, and teachers through a practical curriculum for developing mental skills. Dr Hayley Watson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, lecturer, and program developer who is passionate about helping people find and cultivate their inner potential and inherent valu...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Robb Kelly about his purpose in helping addicts and alcoholics to recover their lives from the disease of addiction. Robb Kelly , PhD is a world-renowned addiction expert who believes in treating the problem, not the symptoms. Based on his own experiences working with addicts and alcoholics over the last 20 years, combined with a PhD...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Martin Fisk about helping young guys reach their full potential and become the great adult men they want to be through mentoring and counselling. Martin Fisk is the Chief Executive of Menslink and joined in March 2011 after a twenty-five year career in both the private and public sectors, including nearly ten years running his own busine...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Steve Zolezzi about outdoor learnings, spirituality, symbolism, and nature as a therapeutic aid. Steve Zolezzi is a Registered Psychologist with 25 years experience in education and psychology and is a leading expert on school well-being and positive psychology practice. He consults widely both nationally and internationally in helping s...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Prof David Sloan Wilson about how human attempts to solve problems from an evolution perspective can have unintended consequences. David Sloan Wilson  is an evolutionary biologist with a wide range of interests, including natural selection as a hierarchical process, the nature of intraspecific variation, the evolution of ecological...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Shaun O’Gorman about living a life with strength, tenacity, resilience, optimism, nurturing & generosity. Shaun O’Gorman has seen his fair share of violence and depravity throughout his life. In fact, more like many lives worth. But it has not defined the man he has become today, despite it trying its very best. Despite h...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Will Henshall about personalized music that can help you focus, reduce distractions, and maintain productivity when working and studying. Will Henshall has achieved notable global success both as a musical/visual artist and as a technical inventor. In 1987, he founded the British pop soul band Londonbeat and had two Billboard #1 hit...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Hugh van Cuylenburg about finding happiness through gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. Hugh van Cuylenburg has been working in education for more than 17 years, teaching both primary and secondary in a range of educational settings. He has completed postgraduate studies looking at resilience and wellbeing, and has developed and facilit...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Rick Hanson about overcoming the brain's negativity bias and finding more happiness, self-worth, love, and peace in life. Rick Hanson, Ph. D. , is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available in 29 languages and include Neurodharma...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about career paths, selecting an organisation, finding a supervisor, and other pieces of advice for early career psychologists.  Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitm...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Gemma Sharp about the tremendous increase in demand for cosmetic surgery like labiaplasty, butt lifts, boob jobs, etc., and its impacts concerning body image. Dr Gemma Sharp is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist. She leads the Body Image Research Group at...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Carla Ferrari about Forensic Assessments & Reports. Carla Ferrari is the Director and Principal Forensic Psychologist of Ferrari Consulting Group   and established the practice due to the growing demand for services for forensic clients, and to satisfy her interest in exploring the interface between law and psychology. Carl...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Michael Sugrue on issues that prevent law enforcement professionals from seeking mental health services. Michael Sugrue is a retired police sergeant with the City of Walnut Creek with over 14 years of service including specialized assignments as a Field Training Officer, SIU Detective and Undercover Special Agent assigned to California D...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Isaac Baker about using data to improve individual, team and organisational decision-making. Isaac Baker is an Applied Behavioural Scientist with a focus on understanding and creating strategies to nudge and influence organisational behaviour and improve organisational performance. He works across Mapien’s suite of services adoptin...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks about why bulk billed Telehealth is unsustainable and will do harm to psychology practices in Australia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government expanded it’s Medicare-subsidised telehealth services to general practitioners and other health practitioners. Their 29 March 2020 media release states: “We are making tel...

To my psychology friends and colleagues,  Australia is at the beginning of Coronavirus and there is an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Job losses, industry shutdowns, potential lockdown, and the domino effect of all these leads to possibly the hardest time for many Australians.  I urge all psychologists to share the benefits of maintaining good mental health and make themselves avai...