Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Loren, who has predominantly worked within the domestic, family and sexual violence sector. Loren discusses how her career has intersected with other disciplines along the way and how these experiences have shaped how she practices as a social worker. Loren currently works as Senior Practitioner supervising an interstate team supporting victim-survivors of financial ab...

In this episode I speak with Dr Josie McSkimming, who has practised in a wide range of settings for over 40 years, including hospital social work, inter-country adoption, post-adoption services, drug and alcohol treatment, individual and couples therapy and adult mental health. In addition to her private practice providing therapy and clinical supervision, Josie is an adjunct lecturer at the Unive...

In this episode I speak with Jordan, an accredited social worker and clinical supervisor. Jordan has worked in a variety of fields such as service coordination, aged care, mental health, drug and alcohol, and currently works within schools. Jordan is passionate about connecting with others and hearing their stories. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: NAPCAN’s Love Bites program -...

In this episode I speak with Amanda, a Social Worker who has spent most of her career working with older people. Recently, her passion for research and search for clarity in her career lead her to enrol in her PhD, researching Access for People with Dementia to Voluntary Assisted Dying. She balances part time work, part time studying and full-time parenting to two young boys. Amanda gains value ou...

In this episode I speak with Lisa, an accredited mental health social worker, psychotherapist, and author of Finding My Invisible Sun: Overcoming Trauma . Lisa has lived experience of trauma, mental illness and institutionalised discrimination and has practised therapy for a combined 15 years within a domestic and family violence prevention service and then as an accredited mental health social wo...

In this episode I speak with Rey, an emerging social worker from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, dedicated to supporting families, children, and young people. She currently specialises in assisting families impacted by the criminal justice system and also serves as a casual university social work supervisor.  Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Their Futures Ma...

In this episode I speak with Dr Jean Carruthers, a lecturer at the University of Newcastle who received her PhD in 2020 for her work on performance as a critical social work pedagogy. She has built on this to explore a range of creative methods in social work education and practice, with her current work focused on mental health and whether transformative wellbeing practices can be used to address...

In this episode I speak with Harveen, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked as a mental health clinician in both public and private hospital settings with a passion for supporting individuals and groups across a range of mental health journeys and trajectories. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: NEAMI National - https://www.neaminational.org.au/ St John of God...

In this episode I speak with Yaleela, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist and private practice owner in Queensland. She is deeply passionate about Social Work practice because she understands the significant impact of social, economic, and political factors on the health and well-being of our children, families, and communities. Yaleela is dedicated to the professi...

In this episode I speak with Kit, a descendent of the Wampanoag tribe in Canada and with German, Scottish and Irish ancestry. Kit has worked as a counsellor and trainer for over 20 years specialising in mental health and addictions and is currently a clinical supervisor and the founder and director of Nature Based Therapy in Victoria. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Nature Bas...

In this episode I speak with Sid, who in her early years of social work has discovered a deep passion for engaging with and supporting individuals navigating PTSD and mental health challenges. Her journey into social work was driven by a profound love for aiding others and a genuine interest in listening to their stories, empowering them to feel like the protagonist in their own lives. Links to re...

In this episode I speak with Brooke, a senior psychotherapist and Mental Health Social Worker specialising in trauma and attachment, child and youth mental health, perinatal mental health and family therapy. Brooke believes strongly in the healing power of nature and animals, and uses these principles as Director of a clinic near Brisbane offering Equine Facilitated Therapy, working from a body ba...

In this episode I speak with Veronya, an English and Arabic speaking accredited mental health social worker supporting young people in an early psychosis program. Verona has worked as a senior clinician and team leader with Headspace doing single sessions, supporting an outreach clinic and participating in the flood hub in Londonderry. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Australia...

In this episode I speak with Sinnead who works with individuals in a Student Wellbeing team in a University setting, supporting students who are impacted by challenges that affect their studies. Sinnead also has experience working with children, adolescents and adults in both disability and mental health, family intervention and domestic violence.  Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episo...

In this episode I speak with Gaul, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has worked in tertiary level mental health services for 15 years. Gaul currently works in private practice at Psychology Training and Supervision where he specialises in couples and family therapy as well as providing clinical supervision to mental health clinicians.  Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episod...

In this episode I speak with Thanh, an accredited mental health social worker with intensive experience working with people who have a history of complex trauma and addiction. She has recently developed her own private practice and is passionate about addressing stigma and improving access and engagement in mental health services for Vietnamese and Asian populations more generally. Links to resour...

In this episode I speak with Su, a care manager at The CareSide, assisting and manage clients in accessing support through their home care packages. Originally from Shanghai, Su spent three years as a corporate banker before moving to Adelaide to complete her Master's degree at Flinders University in 2019, chasing her desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives through social...

In this episode I speak with Stef, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works in private practice at Clarity Therapy in Gymea, Sydney. He has a background in child protection and Out of Home Care, and utilises an integrated therapeutic approach, drawing on evidence based modalities as well as social work theory, aiming for a holistic approach to improving mental health. Links to resources...

In this episode I speak with Jamie, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a Senior Social Worker who works both in private practice and within a community mental health service. Jamie has experience working in the UK and Australia and has a special interest in providing psychological therapy to older adults. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Brené Brown’s conversations w...

In this episode I speak with Cass, a respectful child protection social worker and supervisor with a therapeutic mindset, committed to addressing social issues through innovative approaches and challenging injustices with kindness and empathy. Cass is dedicated to promoting inclusivity and advocacy for marginalised communities through systemic change. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s ep...

In this episode I speak with Dean, a dedicated and compassionate counsellor who specialises in client-centred therapies for both individuals and couples. Dean is a social worker with additional training in nursing, mental health and addiction, as well as being an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. Dean specialises in anxiety, depression and addiction, with a talent for helping clients quit sm...

In this episode I speak with Monique, a dynamic and innovative Social Worker specialising in disability social work under the NDIS funding system. Monique provides therapeutic and capacity building services to the neurodivergent community and professional supervision and training through her private practice "Our Future Focus" in Brisbane. Monique is a passionate clinical supervisor, tra...

In this episode I speak with Victoria, a Social Worker and Peer Worker living and working on Stolen Kaurna Land in Adelaide, South Australia). As a recent Master’s of Social Work graduate she has been active in the Youth Mental Health sector, with a passion for working collaboratively with Multicultural, LGBTQIA+ people, and those with intersectional identities. Links to resources mentioned in thi...

In this episode I speak with Sharon, who has worked as a caseworker, groupwork coordinator, child and family counsellor and primary school counsellor and is now an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker in private practice. She provides supervision to other social workers and students, is trained as a Systemic Couple and Family Therapist and facilitates both standard and youth Mental Health First...

In this episode I speak with Michele, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Accredited EMDR Consultant, Clinical Resource Therapy Trainer as well as partner in private practice and Director of EMDR Relational and Training at Seva House in the Hunter region. Michele has worked extensively with children, young people and adults who have experienced complex trauma as well as supporting young peo...