Between Two Psychs: Tips for Provisional Psychologists and Early Career Therapists

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle talks to David Lopis about the use of AI in clinical practice.

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire discuss the last of the new competencies for psychologists: Health equity and a human rights approach when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, families and communities.  Claire shares some recent training she attended on this topic, including some helpful resources for clinicians looking to develop competence in this important area. Book...

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 7 from the new competencies for psychologists: Demonstrates a health equity and human rights approach when working with people from diverse groups.  They explore what it means to support clients across the community, including people with disability, diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, and different lived experiences. We also discus...

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 6 of the new competencies for psychologists: Communicates and relates to others effectively and appropriately.   

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Isabelle and Claire unpack Competency 5: conduc psychological intervention, and why the more explicit and culturally responsive nature of the new competencies is so important in our day-to-day practice. They explore what informs our intervention choices, including case formulation, diagnosis, collaboration, and making sure clients are actively involved in their ca...

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 4 which focusses on psychological assessment, including different types of assessment methods and tools, assessment selection, culturally sensitive and appropriate assessment and risk assessment.

Send us Fan Mail This episode covers the third competency for psychologists, which focuses on being a reflexive practitioner, deliberate practice and clinician self-care.  Isabelle and Claire discuss the importance of good support and intentional, sustainable practice to protect both ourselves and our clients.

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire unpack the second of the new competencies for psychologists, focussing on what ethical practice looks like in real clinical work, the importanceof meeting legal obligations, taking personal responsibility for our personal conduct and using sounds ethical decision-making processes when ethical issues arise.

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire unpack the first of the new competencies for psychologists.  Competency 1 requires us to develop knowledge of psychological constructs, theories and therapeutic modalities, and apply an evidence-based approach to safe and effective practice.

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 4, where Isabelle and Claire will unpack the new competencies for psychologists.  This episode provides an introduction to the competencies and explains why it is essential to familiarise yourself with these updates, whether you are a provisional psychologist, fully registered psychologist or supervisor.

Send us Fan Mail In this season finale Claire speaks directly to the part of you that wonders if you're doing enough in the therapy room. If you've ever left a session feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or worried that you aren't helping your clients, this episode is for you. We’ll explore why this doubt shows up, how complex work rarely feels “finished,” and why your steady presence matt...

Send us Fan Mail Claire talks about what we share with clients, why we do it, and how to know if it’s helpful or getting in the way. There are practical questions to support thoughtful decision-making and help therapists stay grounded in what’s most helpful for the client.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Claire explores perfectionism in the therapy room and why so many therapists feel the pressure to get it right all the time. She unpacks the idea of being a “good enough” therapist and offers practical, reassuring reminders for those moments of self-doubt after a session.

Send us Fan Mail Claire talks about something many early career therapists quietly struggle with.  Whether it's feeling behind when you see a colleague's success or doubting your skills after scrolling social media, comparison can erode confidence and leave you feeling not good enough. In this honest and supportive episode, we explore why this happens, how to recognise it, and what to do...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever walked out of a session thinking, “I’m a fraud… I have no idea what I’m doing”? You’re not alone. In this episode, Claire normalises imposter syndrome in therapists, talks about why trying harder isn’t the answer, and shares simple strategies to ease pressure, consolidate what you already know, and reconnect with your confidence. A gentle, validating listen for thera...

Send us Fan Mail Emma Spencer from Spencer Health joins us to talk about her special area of interest: considering the impact of hormones and health on mental health symptomology and treatment. 

Send us Fan Mail This is the final episode in our 3-part series on dissociation, where we discuss how to work with dissociation in the therapy room. Further information and resources: Lived experience practitioners: Carolyn Spring. https://www.carolynspring.com/ Jamie Marichhttps://jamiemarich.com/ Joh's website and her new book:  https://www.guidedhealingpsychology.com.au/resources https://w...

Send us Fan Mail This is the second episode in our three-part series on dissociation, with guest Joh Knyn from Guided Healing Psychology.  Claire and Joh talk talk about why screening for dissociation matters and what tools can help. Whether you work primarily with trauma or not, recognising dissociation can shift how you understand and support your clients. Helpful links and resources: Dissociati...

Send us Fan Mail Claire talks with guest Joh Knyn from Guided Healing Psychology, unpacking what dissociation really is, why it’s so often misunderstood (even by therapists), and how dissociative disorders are frequently misdiagnosed—or missed entirely. Whether you're a therapist, student, or just curious, this episode helps bring clarity to a complex topic. Resources: Carolyn Spring: https:/...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is for anyone juggling too much and wondering why it’s so hard to “practice what you preach.” Claire talks about exhaustion, endless to-do lists, and the quiet guilt of not applying all the tools you know so well. It’s a gentle reminder that you're human, and that's more than enough.

Send us Fan Mail Claire discusses difficult therapy sessions, the self-doubt that creeps in, the reality of human imperfection, and why hard sessions don’t mean you’re failing.

Send us Fan Mail This episode provides an overview of the Mental State Exam, why it is important and how to use it.

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire dive into one of the most important parts of the therapy process - the initial session.  For early career therapists, that first session can feel like a lot to juggle: you’re building rapport, gathering history, setting the tone, and trying to make a good impression.  So how do you fit it all in without making it feel rushed or clinical? In this episode, we’ll...

Send us Fan Mail Isabelle and Claire discuss the initial intake process — not the first session, but everything that happens before a client steps into the therapy room. We’ll walk through the key steps we take after that first enquiry: from the introductory phone call, to screening for fit, sharing practical info, and setting clear expectations. We’ll also explore consent, forms, and how to gentl...

Send us Fan Mail Starting out in the therapy world isn’t just about learning how to help clients—it’s also about learning how to survive and thrive in the workplace. In this episode, we talk about: 🔸 Common challenges that arise for provisional psychologists 🔸 Contractor vs casual arrangements 🔸 Billing arrangements under Medicare and NDIS 🔸 Ethical and sustainable working conditions  🔸 What...