Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Rebecca, who has 25 years of social work experience in child protection, legal aid and more recently in private practice. Rebecca has extensive skills in risk assessments and complex case management for young people, and has worked also for the physical abuse and neglect of children counselling service. The majority of her career has been as a criminal consultant for l...

In this episode I speak with Lucinda, a Clinical Social Worker, Supervisor and Manager with 15+ years of varied experiences in the child, youth, family, community development and mental health sectors. She has a passion for early intervention and prevention, young people, leadership and wellbeing for practitioners. She has a vast array of experience in working with individuals and groups in commun...

In this episode I speak with Cathy, who has worked with a wide variety of populations in Sydney and in Cairns, through hospital, legal, youth, mental health and drug and alcohol services, as well as spending time volunteering overseas. She has recently moved into private practice, specialising in providing therapy in outdoor settings, with a range of mental health, family dynamics and practical ne...

In this episode I speak with Gabbie, a final year Masters of Social Work student at Western Sydney University and works part time in community engagement with the peak body for mental health carers in NSW. Gabbie has recently returned from the United States after being selected as one of two Australian representatives to attend the International Summer of Social Work Conference hosted by the Unive...

In this episode I speak with Zen, a qualified Counsellor and Mental Health Social Worker with a strong passion for providing high-quality counselling and support,, experienced working with adults, adolescents, and couples, in tertiary education, non-government and community health settings. Zen’s areas of interest include supporting Individuals with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, life t...

In this episode I speak with Emma, a social worker and youth worker who achieved accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker while working at Headspace. Emma has expertise in a range of trauma informed therapeutic interventions including work with disordered eating associated with ADHD, the impact of CPTSD in ADHD, and the comorbidities of anxiety, depression and burnout. She has a passion for...

In this episode I speak with Jazmin, who came to social work after completing diplomas in community service and community development and is passionate about working with children and adolescents with co-occurring disability and mental health issues. She has worked for a public housing agency managing intake and existing tenancies as well as an intake role in Child Protection, supporting some of t...

In this episode I speak with Claire, who in addition to completing her social work studies also has a degree in Indigenous Studies. Claire started her work in child protection with Indigenous families and then progressed to community and inpatient mental health. Claire has had personal and professional experiences working closely with mental health and now works with people experiencing acute illn...

In this episode I speak with Nicoletta, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Studies, a Certificate IV in Mental Health, and a Masters Degree in Social Work. Nicoletta currently works as a Recovery Case Worker at Mission Australia, in the area of adult mental health recovery. She is also an Academic tutor at Western Sydney University, teaching the Masters of Social Work and other related...

In this episode I speak with Cassandra, a community palliative care social worker and private practice therapist. Cassandra has worked in the UK and across a range of roles in Australia and is passionate about the growth of the social work profession and identity within Australia. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris - https://www.goodreads.com/book/s...

In this episode I speak with Emily, an early career social worker who after getting a job at The Fact Tree Youth Service following her first social work placement, completing her second placement at a private hospital in Lismore, and a stint as a MERIT Clinician, Emily is currently working as a caseworker at Phoenix House Youth Services in Crows Nest. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s ep...

In this episode I speak with Marie, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer. Her focus is on supporting adults to have better relationships with the teens and young adults in their lives. She is committed to improving mental health awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting prevention and early intervention in the field of mental health. Links...

In this episode I speak with Jerome, who has worked in Sydney’s mental health inpatient units and in community mental health. Jerome is currently Senior Social Worker at the Forensic Hospital, a high secure mental health facility on the Long Bay Correctional Centre campus. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: The Forensic Hospital - https://www.justicehealth.nsw.gov.au/about-us/hea...

In this episode I speak with Mitchell, a social worker passionate about child protection and helping to ensure vulnerable young people in the community have improved life experiences. Mitch has worked in various roles, ranging from disability, residential care and child protection. Mitchell currently works at the Child Protection Helpline taking information from various members of the professional...

In this episode I speak with Mohammad, a Bangladeshi Australian who is passionate about and committed to working with people with disability and mental health concerns, aiming to ensure social justice and human rights in all aspect of a person's life. Currently Mohammad works as a Support Coordinator for the Department of Human Services, helping to provide information, support and advocacy for...

In this episode I speak with Deanne, who has dedicated her career of over 30 years as a social worker to responding to inter-personal violence through her work in a range of organisational contexts, including statutory and therapeutic responses to child abuse and neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence. In recent years in independent practice and working in University schools of social work,...

In this episode I speak with Alyssa, a social worker turned program development & grant writing consultant.  She has over 7 years’ experience supporting the delivery of community-based programs and is incredibly passionate about achieving measurable outcomes. Currently Alyssa is in the process of establishing her own business, supporting NGOs and community-minded organisations to develop, fund...

In this episode I speak with Dani, a social worker who thrives on diversity and challenge and has as such worked in a variety of roles; including counsellor, mentor, trainer, clinical supervisor, manager, and leader. Dani has a particular interest in supporting women with ADHD and reducing the incidence of missed diagnosis, and misdiagnosis. She advocates moving away from disordered and disabling...

In this episode I speak with Uni, a case manager working in youth crisis accommodation. Originally from Mongolia, Uni has developed her passion for supporting children and young people from traumatic and disadvantaged backgrounds to improve their circumstances and build their quality of life through love and understanding. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Dr Bruce Perry - https...

In this episode I speak with Taylah, an early career social worker in Mental Health for the South Western Sydney Community.  She studied a double degree of Social Work and Social Research and Policy majoring in Politics and International Relations while engaging in differing voluntary roles including the Youth Advisory Committee at headspace, engaged in advocacy work with Supporting Asylum Seekers...

In this episode I speak with Anna, a social worker who is passionate about women and children's rights, reducing inequality and empowering our most vulnerable populations. She is a recent graduate and holds a Masters in Social Work (Qualifying) and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Sociology. Upon graduating from social work last year, Anna began working as a graduate management consultant...

In this episode I speak with Mark, a social worker from Canada who has worked in the mental health space for the last 10 years in a range of roles including case management, clinical NDIS work, leadership roles as a team leader and program manager, and now owner of a private practice Clarity Therapy. Mark's practice incorporates CBT, ACT, and DBT principles mixed with some eco therapy, and Mar...

In this episode I speak with Nercy, a clinical Social Worker with over 15 years’ experience in supportive mental health services. She has worked in a diverse range of clinical fields including providing community Mental Health services to marginalised families in inner-city Los Angeles, specialised support services for refugee communities in Sydney’s South West, and more recently providing solutio...

In this episode I speak with Richa, who came to Australia as an International Student in 2017 and completed a Masters of Social Work (Qualifying) from Western Sydney University in 2019. After completing her final social work placement, Richa began working at Settlement Services International as a Community Hub leader.  She moved into the NSW Department of Education as a Community Liaison Officer i...

In this episode I speak with Mat, a Social Worker who was born and raised on Darkinjung country in the Central Coast of NSW. Mat has a history of working in not-for-profit organisations that support children and families and was formerly the operations manager of Central Coast Family Support Services. Mat hopes that this conversation about his social work journey and experience helps others who ar...