The Peregrine Rural Mental Health Podcast

Episode 3 in our Speedbumps series, focusing on common challenges in therapeutic practice. Our guest, Dr Mark Donovan, has been training therapists for many years. Join Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng, as she presents Mark with the common challenges generated by real mental health practitioners and discusses with him some of the possible solutions. A very practical episode, full of clearly presented, realistic ideas to help you smooth, clarify and speed up your mental health practice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting well can be so important to a successful episode of therapy. With so much to accomplish in the first meeting, how can practitioners best approach this all important first session? In this episode Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng, speaks with Dr Anna Sidis from the University of Wollongong about how she juggles gathering information, setting the "culture" of therapy and making sure that people walk away with enough that they might want to keep coming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first in our Speedbumps series, where we focus on common challenges that can come up while working with someone on their mental health. Our guest this week, Dr Suzie Hudson, will talk about the very first contact we make with a person. How do we start off our engagement in the best way possible. Suzie addresses some of the common challenges (as selected by real mental health practitioners) and talks about making the best start possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindfulness is a real buzz word at the moment, but what does it actually mean? Join Dr Dayle Raftery, Research Associate at The Peregrine Centre, as she talks all things mindfulness with Dr Judy Pickard, clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at University of Wollongong. They discuss the science behind mindfulness, explore how to apply it for yourself and your clients, and even practice mindfulness during the podcast. Judy also brings some resources to support your mindfulness journey, which can be found at learn.theperegrinecentre.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know the most common number of sessions people attend is one? There is no guarantee our clients will return for a full treatment episode. Single session thinking is about treating each session as if it is the last, and making the most of the full session time. Join research associate Dr Caitlin Miller as she speaks with Nick Barrington from The Bouverie Centre, about how to integrate single session thinking into your practice, and how thinking single session can enhance our therapy practicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever wonder how to make the most of brief interactions with consumers? Have you ever thought that focusing on people's problems might not suit everyone you work with? Join Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller for this listener requested episode as she sits down with Ian Johnsen to talk all things brief solution focused therapy. Learn how to get started with focusing on ‘where to' rather than ‘where from' in treatment and why this modality says there's nothing wrong with you that what's right with you can't fixSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At The Peregrine Centre, we speak with a lot of practioners who want to get into research but just don't know where, or how, to start. On this month's episode, join Research Associate and Clinical Psychologist Dr Dayle Raftery as she speaks with Dr Corin Miller, a General Practitioner in Southern NSW. Corin was a recipient of TPCs small grants program, and she speaks about learning how to do research, finding the right people to work with, and how she manages to get research done alongside her busy clinical load.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know that many practitioners take on leadership roles in mental health without having the opportunity to explore leadership or management training, particularly in rural areas. In this episode, Peregrine Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller interviews Dr Jenny Brown, Director Emeritus and founder of the Family Systems Institute, and Ken Morgan, chair of the Family Systems Institute, give us a taste about their ideas on leadership in mental health. They speak about how family systems thinking can apply to mental health teams, how to notice the way you respond to anxiety as a manager, giving feedback, and why managers can be more helpful when they do a little less problem solving.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is practice supervision just for professions where it is one of their registration requirements? Or does supervision offer something to all mental health practitioners? How do you get it? How do you get the best out of it, if you do get it? Join Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng as she speaks with her peer supervision buddies, Anna Sidis and Mark Donovan, about the where, how and why of supervision and mentoring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This three episode miniseries looks at working with people who have experienced trauma. The first two episodes contain an annotated role play of a first session with a family who has experienced a death by suicide. Family therapist, Dr Rebecca Sng, explains her thinking as she speaks with the family for the first time. The final episode is a panel discussion with three different rural and regional trauma practitioners: Anna Maxwell (Social Worker), Maya Goldman (Occupational Therapist), and Dr Al Griskaitis (Psychiatrist). This series is aimed at those who do not have specialist trauma training and still find themselves working with people who have experienced trauma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This three episode miniseries looks at working with people who have experienced trauma. The first two episodes contain an annotated role play of a first session with a family who has experienced a death by suicide. Family therapist, Dr Rebecca Sng, explains her thinking as she speaks with the family for the first time. The final episode is a panel discussion with three different rural and regional trauma practitioners: Anna Maxwell (Social Worker), Maya Goldman (Occupational Therapist), and Dr Al Griskaitis (Psychiatrist). This series is aimed at those who do not have specialist trauma training and still find themselves working with people who have experienced trauma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This three episode miniseries looks at working with people who have experienced trauma. The first two episodes contain an annotated role play of a first session with a family who has experienced a death by suicide. Family therapist, Dr Rebecca Sng, explains her thinking as she speaks with the family for the first time. The final episode is a panel discussion with three different rural and regional trauma practitioners: Anna Maxwell (Social Worker), Maya Goldman (Occupational Therapist), and Dr Al Griskaitis (Psychiatrist). This series is aimed at those who do not have specialist trauma training and still find themselves working with people who have experienced trauma. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know that self-care and preventing burnout as mental health practitioners is important, but how do we truly care for ourselves and our clients, particularly in rural and regional areas where there can be added complexities? And is it possible to go beyond that to thriving in mental health practice? Join Peregrine research associate, Dr Caitlin Miller, as she speaks with John Dean (District Clinical Leader and Senior Psychologist in Murrumbidgee), Nikki Butler (trainer and director of Nikki Butler consulting), and our own Brittany Smith (Clinical Psychology Registrar and Local Project Officer) to dive into these questions. They speak about the impact of identity, knowing our roles as practitioners, and give their perspective on common situations like managing confidentiality in small areas, being approached outside of work in your community and taking leave.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long thought of as "basic", Behavioural Interventions have been shown by the research to be incredibly powerful tools in the right circumstances. However, successful Behavioural Interventions can be far trickier than they first appear. Understanding how to fully utilise these principles can transform your work with those suffering from depression, anxiety and other common difficulties. Join Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng, as she chats with fellow Peregrine team member Prof Frank Deane about the "art" of Behavioural Interventions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lived experience expertise has been rapidly growing as a key component of recovery orientated practice. Peer work can help break down barriers to mental health care, facilitate hope, and help organisations reflect on their practices for the benefit of consumer care. Yet many people can feel confused about the role of a peer worker, and how to integrate peer work into care appropriately. This month, The Peregrine Centre's research associate Dr Dayle Raftery talks with Mark Thompson and Jo Kain, two infectiously passionate peer workers, about the history of peer work, the importance of advocacy, and how to set up for success with peer work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motivational Interviewing was first developed for use with people with substance abuse problems, however in its 40 year history it has been applied with a range of presentations. At its core, Motivational Interviewing places emphasis on listening, empathy, and encouraging our client's own knowledge. In this episode, The Peregrine Centre's research associate Dr Dayle Raftery is joined by Tara McGregor, psychotherapist, accredited dietician, and infectiously enthusiastic Motivational Interviewing practitioner. Join as Tara guides us through the Motivational Interviewing spirit and talks about how to find out more, and start practicing in this powerful and adaptable format.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting Started with Narrative Therapy: Probably Australia's best known export to the therapy world, the model of Narrative Therapy is used with individuals, families and communities worldwide. It is particularly well supported in its use with Indigenous peoples. But Narrative Therapy is a pretty different. It requires a different way of thinking, leading to a unique use of language. How can a rural practitioner begin? Join Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng, and she chats to David Newman from Sydney Narrative Therapy about how someone might get started with this groundbreaking model of therapy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy was developed to help people who have with their sense of self and with emotional regulation and therefore struggle in relationships. This presentation is often named as one that practitioners find challenging. In this episode, Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng, speaks with  Dr Marianne Bourke about how to get started with this effective treatment modality. They wrestle with the complex ideas of Linehan's model and who might benefit from this approach. Join them as talk TIPP and why mindfulness is more like a forest than a waterfall.  Resources: Book: DBT Skills Training Manual by Marsha Linehan Book: DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets by Marsha Linehan Book: The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook by Jeffrey C. Wood, Matthew McKay, and Jeffrey Brantley.  Website: Six Life Changing Skills to Successfully Manage Your Next Emotional Crises from the Sunrise Residential Treatment Centre Book: The Mindfulness Solution for Intense Emotions by Cedar R. Koons Book:  The Neurodivergent Friendly Workbook of DBT Skills by Sonny Jane Wise Webinar: DBT Skills for Family Members by Alan FruzzettiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is probably the most commonly mentioned of all the therapeutic models, yet it is often misunderstood. Although its concepts can appear simple, poorly practiced CBT has the potential to not only be ineffective but also put people off therapy altogether. So, what is real CBT? Join Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng as she chats with CBT trainer and practitioner, Dr Chris Basten. This is a great way to really understand the foundations of the model and to get to grips with what real CBT is and is not.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting Started with ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is perhaps most well known for its role in the treatment of substance abuse but this model is widely used to help a wide range of people with a wide range of difficulties. In this episode, Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng speaks with trainers and ACT practitioners Mark Donovan and Anna Sidis to learn a bit about this common model. This engaging introduction covers some of the key concepts of ACT and how an interested practitioner might get started in exploring this modality. Tune in to hear about bus driving, beer drinking, eating lemons and what any of these have to do with ACT.  Resources The Happiness Trap: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Living/dp/1590305841Russ Harris Website: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/Steven Hays TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o79_gmO5ppg&t=109s Kelly G. Wilson Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-H9mSmU2ZY ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris: https://www.booktopia.com.au/act-made-simple-russ-harris/book/9781684033010.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0bunBhD9ARIsAAZl0E3hXctnxIhJUzxz0Tzg_Xy4UPwfq4q_kmaWq-16Vb8FKe326MyByjwaArnjEALw_wcB "The Choice Point" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV15x8LvwAQSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindfulness is a real buzz word at the moment, but what does it actually mean? Join Dr Dayle Raftery, Research Associate at The Peregrine Centre, as she talks all things mindfulness with Dr Judy Pickard, clinical psychologist and senior lecturer at University of Wollongong. They discuss the science behind mindfulness, explore how to apply it for yourself and your clients, and even practice mindfulness during the podcast. Judy also brings some resources to support your mindfulness journey, which can be found at learn.theperegrinecentre.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our 2023 podcast series, The Peregrine Rural Mental Health podcast will take a whirlwind tour of some of the most common therapeutic modalities. In response to the requests from rural mental health practitioners, this series will ask experts in their field to guide a beginner in getting started in a variety of different models. In this episode Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng and Peregrine Research Associate, Caitlin Miller, explore the ideas of being a "good-enough" therapist from the different points of view of therapists at different stages of their career. How does the idea of constant professional development sit alongside the experience of "Imposter Syndrome" and when can you start to feel confident as a practitioner? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you work differently with older adults as a mental health practitioner? In this episode, Dr Caitlin Miller speaks to Ian Rawson, Service Manager for Older People's Mental Health in Hunter New England LHD, and Dr Neil Jeyasingam, Clinical Director Mental Health Drug and Alcohol in Far West NSW. They talk about what unique challenges older people face, how to differentiate normal aging processes and mental health concerns, how to modify treatment, and the power of interventions like exercise for older adults. This episode is packed full of expert knowledge and practical steps to work with older people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is practice supervision just for professions where it is one of their registration requirements? Or does supervision offer something to all mental health practitioners? How do you get it? How do you get the best out of it, if you do get it? Join Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng as she speaks with her peer supervision buddies, Anna Sidis and Mark Donovan, about the where, how and why of supervision and mentoring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many mental health practitioners will have experienced a client who is hesitant to use telehealth services because they feel the connection and therapeutic relationship won't be the same compared to in person sessions. But is this actually accurate? If we do need to use telehealth, how can we ensure our relationship with clients is strong? In this episode, Dr Caitlin Miller interviews Ross Jacobs, Clinical Implementation Lead for NSW/ACT at Orygen and Julia Reynolds, Clinical Psychologist at Australian National University, about using telehealth and digital resources. They talk about setting a frame when working with telehealth, engaging different types of clients, and how you can use digital interventions alongside your practice to provide support for your clients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many practitioners feel at a loss when working with people who use violence or aggression. In this episode, Peregrine Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller talks to Dr Lisa Warren, a forensic and clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Code Black Psychology, about working with people who use aggression or violence as a mental health practitioner. They talk about identifying and intervening with risks of harm to mental health practitioners and to others, and practical strategies practitioners can use today and in the future when working with this population. Helpful resources: Recognising clients who may pose a risk of violence (attached – Warren 2017) Code Black website www.codeblackpsychology.au Psychological violence: The impact of stalking behaviours https://psychology.org.au/for-members/publications/inpsych/2019/august/psychological-violence The invisible cage: Psychology's role in the criminalisation of coercive control https://psychology.org.au/for-members/publications/inpsych/2021/april-may-issue-2/the-invisible-cage   Psychology Students' Training in the Management of Potentially Violent Clients (attached – Gately Stabb 2005)    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know that many practitioners take on leadership roles in mental health without having the opportunity to explore leadership or management training, particularly in rural areas. In this episode, Peregrine Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller interviews Dr Jenny Brown, Director Emeritus and founder of the Family Systems Institute, and Ken Morgan, chair of the Family Systems Institute, give us a taste about their ideas on leadership in mental health. They speak about how family systems thinking can apply to mental health teams, how to notice the way you respond to anxiety as a manager, giving feedback, and why managers can be more helpful when they do a little less problem solving.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many generalist practitioners, working with the family system is intimidating. However, many recognise the enormous influence difficult family relationships can have on the lives of children and adults alike. In this episode, Dr Rebecca Sng talks to Bowen Systems guru, Dr Jenny Brown, and Open Dialogue proponent, Dr Anna Sidis about the concept that "problems don't exist within people, but between people". This episode is full of simple, practical things that a practitioner can do today to start to embrace this concept in their work.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in the LGBTQIA+ community experience higher rates of mental distress than the general community and face greater barriers to accessing care, which can have a lifelong impact. This is particularly relevant to those living rurally where gender and sexuality affirming services may be limited, or non-existent. Many NSW practitioners identified the importance of understanding and a desire to appropriately work with LGBTQIA+ people but reported low confidence in doing so.  On this episode, The Peregrine Centre Research Associate, Dayle Raftery, talks to Dr Jared Hannam (Child and adolescent psychiatrist), Dr Tash McLellan (General Practitioner), and Kerry Power (Gender Service Care Coordinator) from Albury-Wodonga's Gateway Health about the ABCs of LGBT, working well with trans and gender diverse people, making your practice affirming and safe, and the importance of just listening.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 One of the most requested topics we get at the Peregrine Rural Mental Health Podcast is how we should respond to natural disasters and large-scale stressors, like the global pandemic. In this episode, Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng chats with clinical psychologist, Dr Rob Gordon. Over more than 30 years, Dr Gordon has worked extensively with governments and NGOs in responding to bushfires, floods and other natural disasters. Well known for his useful insights and practical teaching, this is a wonderful introduction to Dr Gordon's work. Tune in as he talks with Dr Sng about the Stress Cycle, "when is too soon", and the power of a good sausage sizzle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng chats with Dr Suzie Hudson, Clinical Advisor to the NSW Health Centre for AOD. The treatment of individuals with both mental health concerns and coping strategies that involve substance misuse is one of our most requested topics. This episode Suzie describes, in an easy-to-understand format, the considerations for practitioners when they are attempting to help in these circumstances, with particular focus on rural practitioners who may not have a specialist AOD service to refer to. Suzie shares a number of practical tips, as well as chatting about her particular area of interest, methamphetamine use. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The comorbidity rates of mental health conditions and neurodivergence are high. However, not all clinicians have experience working with neurodivergent clients, particularly in rural areas.  Communication difficulties and anxieties around social interaction can further isolate neurodivergent clients who are in need of mental health support. In this episode Peregrine Local Project Officer, Charley Mason interviews clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Dr Michelle Livock, clinicians who specialise in working with neurodivergent individuals. Michelle and Monique discuss how to best communicate with neurodivergent individuals in your practice, including how to refer clients who you believe may be neurodivergent for diagnosis and further assistance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most mental health practitioners are familiar with the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – but if you're not trained in specialist treatments for BPD, can you still be helpful to this group of people? In this episode, Peregrine Research Associate Dr Caitlin Miller interviews Psychologist and Research Fellow at Project Air Strategy for Personality Disorders, Dr Nick Day, and Staff Specialist Psychiatrist at the Centre for Psychotherapy, Dr Nick Bendit. Nick Day and Nick Bendit speak about what drives emotional storms and crises for people with a diagnosis of BPD, how our typical approaches as mental health practitioners can actually be unhelpful for people with BPD – and what to do instead. They discuss the common elements of treatment approaches, how to manage risk concerns and what they mean when they tell practitioners to “follow the love”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you a generalist practitioner who is sometimes called upon to see children? In today's episode, Peregrine Director, Rebecca Sng, speaks with eminent Family Therapist, Jenny Brown, and former Clinic Director at University of Wollongong, Mark Donovan, about parent training. Each of the three discuss their own parent training manuals and the different applications of each while noting some common principles that practitioners can take into their practice. The guests then go on to answer some listener questions and to talk about the importance of "Stepping Back and Stepping Up".  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some experience of trauma is incredibly common in those who seek mental health services. However, few practitioners, particularly in rural areas, would call themselves Trauma Specialists. As a result, many people find it hard to find treatment and continue to suffer with the effects of their traumatic experiences. On this episode, Peregrine Research Associate, Dr Dayle Raftery interviews Peregrine Director, Dr Rebecca Sng, a clinical psychologist who has been working in trauma treatment for nearly 20 years. Rebecca discusses the difference between PTSD and Complex Trauma, how to be helpful – even in a small number of sessions, and why she's always talking about black boxes.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.