Inside Social Work

What if I don’t know what I’m doing in my first session? How do I know if I’m being paid fairly? How do I protect my energy in private practice? This episode is a mailbag episode, where Bronwyn and I go through some listener questions. We talk honestly and practically about what it’s really like in the early and middle stages of practice. From first session nerves, to niching, money, burnout and p...

Have you ever been sitting with a young person in session while their parent waits outside, unsure how much to involve them and quietly worrying about saying the wrong thing? Working with parents alongside young people can feel daunting. Consent, confidentiality, boundaries, imposter syndrome and distressed parents can contribute to avoiding it altogether. Avoiding bringing families into the room...

What happens when we don’t own our stuff? This episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by psychologist and researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins to talk about something many of us encounter in our work: what happens when we avoid taking responsibility for how we show up in the work. We explore those reactive moments. The times we avoid difficult conversations. The situations where our own history or bli...

Couples therapy can be some of the most rewarding work we do, but it can also be some of the most challenging. If you’ve ever found yourself sitting in the room thinking, am I helping or am I refereeing? , this episode is for you. In this episode of Inside Social Work, I revisit a conversation originally recorded with Dr Bronwyn Milkins on the Mental Work Podcast, where we break down what it reall...

Money touches every part of our lives, yet so often it’s the thing we avoid talking about. In this final episode of our money mini-series, Ashton Hayes (Becoming an AMHSW Podcast) and I wrap up our reflections on the money stories and money blocks that shape how we live, work, and relate. Together we explore: How old beliefs about money can quietly influence our choices The importance of transpare...

Our relationship with money doesn’t start when we open our first bank account. It’s shaped from childhood,  through our families, culture, community, and the messages we absorbed without even realising. These “money stories” influence how we value ourselves, the fees we set, the risks we take, and the limits we place on our practice. In this episode, Ashton and I explore the money myths and b...

Social work is often framed as a profession of sacrifice, but does that mean we should give away our time and expertise for free? In this episode, Ashton and I unpack the belief that charging for our services makes us less caring. We talk about fee transparency, the real costs of running a practice, and how the expectation of free or underpaid labour undermines both social workers and clients. We...

Starting in private practice is exciting and expensive. There are so many choices about what to spend on and what to skip. From shiny new tech to endless training courses, it can be easy to waste money before you’ve even found your feet. In this episode, Ashton and I talk about where you can actually save money when you’re just starting out, the investments that are worth it, and our biggest money...

Money is often the thing we’re told not to talk about. Yet for social workers, it’s at the heart of so many challenges in our profession. In this episode, Ashton and I unpack: Why social workers feel guilty about charging for their work The gendered expectations tied to caring professions How undervaluing ourselves hurts both us and the profession The hidden costs of private practice training, sup...

Social work doesn’t follow a straight line, it’s often what we call a squiggly career. Along the way, there are challenges, shiny distractions, and moments of doubt. But there are also incredible rewards. In this episode, Ashton and I reflect on: The hardest parts of working as Accredited Mental Health Social Workers The risks of chasing every new training or modality Why having a clear thread or...

Self-doubt has a way of creeping in at the worst times whether it’s applying for a job, saying yes to a leadership role, or even putting yourself out there creatively. In this episode, Ashton and I talk about the moments where self-doubt almost stopped us from saying yes to opportunities and how we found ways to push through.  We explore: Why self-doubt shows up even for experienced social wo...

Have you ever looked at your career and thought,  my younger self would never have seen this coming? In Episode 3 of our mini-series, Ashton and I reflect on how our work, values, and lives have evolved in ways our 25-year-old selves could never have predicted. From unexpected career shifts to the courage to take up space, we explore the surprises that come with time and experience. We also i...

Social work careers rarely look the same. In this episode we share what ours look like now and how they keep evolving, Ashton and I talk about where that journey has taken us and the work we’re doing now. I share what it’s like running The Therapy Hub in Melbourne, supporting young people, families, and couples, as well as the trainings and parenting programs I’ve developed. Ashton talks about her...

Every social worker has a story about how they got here. Some of us take winding paths through other careers, while others stumble into social work almost by accident. In this first episode of our 10-part collaboration series, I sit down with Ashton Hayes (host of Becoming an AMHSW ) to share our journeys into social work. We talk about: The meandering, non-linear paths that led us into social wor...

Have you ever wondered if you’re really cut out to be an accredited mental health social worker? If you’re smart enough, good enough, or if everyone else has it figured out while you’re still feeling like an imposter? What about talking money and finances? Branding and marketing? You’re not alone. In this special 10-part collaboration, I team up with Ashton Hayes, host of Becoming an AMHSW , to sh...

Have you ever sat in a supervision session that felt more like a checklist than real support? Maybe you’ve wondered what supervision is actually meant to give you. In this solo episode of Inside Social Work , I talk about why supervision matters, how it’s shaped my own practice, and why it’s more than a professional requirement. We’ll explore how good supervision helps prevent burnout, what makes...

Teenagers today are navigating a very complex world Social media and digital technology, constant connection, academic pressure, identity exploration, and big emotions can make adolescence feel overwhelming, not just for teens, but for parents, carers, and the professionals who support them. In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins to share insights from our years of...

Therapy is often seen as a safe, supportive space, but what happens when it goes wrong? In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by Carrie Wiita, adjunct professor, consultant, and creator of Interpersonal Branding , to unpack what bad therapy has taught her about being a better therapist. We talk about what happens when therapy misses the mark, how defensiveness impacts client relationsh...

Therapy is meant to be supportive and healing, but not every client experience feels that way.  In this encore episode of Inside Social Work , I speak with Ben and Carrie, from the Very Bad Therapy podcast, about what happens when therapy goes wrong, why it matters to talk about it, and how we can do better. Key Takeaways • Bad therapy cannot be reduced to a checklist. It depends on the indiv...

When you’re in a therapy session and something happens right in the moment,  a shift in body language, a sudden silence, a flicker of emotion,  naming it can change everything. In this episode of Inside Social Work , I’m joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins from the Mental Work Podcast to talk about using ‘here and now’ comments to deepen connection and insight in the room. We explore why they w...

Student placements in private practice are becoming more common, but they raise a lot of questions for students, supervisors, and clients. In this episode of Inside Social Work , I’m joined by social worker and supervisor Amy Howell to explore what it’s like offering student placements in a private practice setting, what support students need, and how services can navigate the challenges that come...

What actually happens when the whole family comes to therapy? And how do you even start a conversation when everyone’s at odds? In this special crossover episode with Dr Bronwyn Milkins from the Mental Work podcast, we explore the unique challenges and dynamics of working with whole families in therapy. From preparing for multi-person sessions to setting boundaries, managing multiple agendas and k...

For many social workers and mental health professionals, the tension between caring and charging is real. In this episode of Inside Social Work , I am joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, host of the Mental Work podcast, to unpack how unexamined money beliefs can impact your practice, your wellbeing, and even your sense of identity as a helping professional. We explore: Why helping professions carry deep...

Why does doing what you love sometimes leave you exhausted, stuck, or questioning your identity? In this episode of Inside Social Work , I speak with Dr Bronwyn Milkins, psychologist and host of the Mental Work podcast, about why the dream job ideal doesn’t always lead to happiness. We explore how hustle culture, guilt and overidentification with our jobs contribute to burnout,  and what it a...

Do you ever feel like you need to have all the answers in the first few sessions? Maybe you’ve wondered if your client is silently asking themselves, is this going to help? In this episode of Inside Social Work, I chat with Dr Bronwyn Milkins from the Mental Work podcast about the pressures, pacing, and expectations that sit inside the first three sessions of therapy. We unpack what actually helps...