Social Work Spotlight
115 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago -This podcast features interviews with social workers in Sydney, Australia, showcasing diverse areas of practice, social work stories, successes, and challenges, and providing information on media and other resources that can be accessed to help inform and educate people who are curious about the profession or wanting a career change.
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Episodes
Episode 114: Veronya
July 19, 2024 20:00 - 48 minutes - 32.2 MBIn 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: Australian NeuroFeedback Institute - https://anfi.org.au/ Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Sco...
Episode 113: Sinnead
July 05, 2024 20:00 - 44 minutes - 33.6 MBIn 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 episode: The Orange Door network - https://www.vic.gov.au/about-the-orange-door Orygen’s Under the...
Episode 112: Gaul
June 21, 2024 20:00 - 50 minutes - 33.8 MBIn 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 episode: Psychology Training and Supervision - https://psychologytrainingandsupervision.com.au/ Int...
Episode 111: Thanh
June 07, 2024 20:00 - 39 minutes - 28.1 MBIn 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 resources mentioned in this week’s episode: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - https:...
Episode 110: Su
May 24, 2024 20:31 - 42 minutes - 29.7 MBIn 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 work. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: The CareSide - https://www.thecareside.com....
Episode 109: Stef
May 10, 2024 20:00 - 52 minutes - 33 MBIn 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 mentioned in this week’s episode: The Ankali Project - https://thealbioncentre.org.au/ankali-...
Episode 108: Jamie
April 26, 2024 20:00 - 54 minutes - 40.1 MBIn 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 with Drs John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman on The Love Prescription - https://brenebrown....
Episode 107: Cass
April 12, 2024 20:00 - 54 minutes - 37.9 MBIn 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 episode: Winangay resources for Aboriginal kids and families - https://www.winangay.com/resource...
Episode 106: Dean
March 29, 2024 19:00 - 53 minutes - 41.1 MBIn 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 smoking, drinking and other substances. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Ope...
Episode 105: Monique
March 15, 2024 19:00 - 53 minutes - 38.2 MBIn 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, trainer and avid encourager of social workers who want to learn more about effective and evidence based disab...
Episode 104: Victoria
March 01, 2024 19:00 - 46 minutes - 32 MBIn 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 this week’s episode: Youth Peer Work training - https://www.orygen.org.au/Training/Resources/Gene...
Episode 103: Sharon
February 16, 2024 19:00 - 52 minutes - 38.4 MBIn 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 Aid training. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Kate and Emma novel (Monica...
Episode 102: Michele
February 02, 2024 19:00 - 55 minutes - 32.7 MBIn 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 people who have caused harm to others. Michele provides EMDR Consultation and Clinical Supervision ...
Episode 101: Jana
January 19, 2024 19:00 - 47 minutes - 35.1 MBIn this episode I speak with Jana, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over a decade of experience working as a practitioner and clinician within community-based and multidisciplinary services, working with individuals and families, providing 1:1 counselling and case management support, as well as offering mentoring and supervision to emerging and graduate social workers. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Jana’s practice website - https://www.wusahcounselling....
Episode 100: Who Left Us Unsupervised?
January 05, 2024 19:00 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBHi and welcome to Social Work Spotlight, where I showcase different areas of the profession each episode. I’m your host, Yasmine McKee-Wright, and for the 100th episode of Social Work Spotlight I’ve invited five previous guests to return to the podcast who were all very early on in their careers when we previously met, to let us know what they’ve been up to, where they are working now, and how they have developed personally and professionally. Join me for this very special milestone celebrat...
Episode 99: Shahil
December 22, 2023 19:31 - 1 hour - 54.1 MBIn this episode I speak with Shahil, who has worked across the areas of youth homelessness, disability and suicide prevention and aftercare and now works in policy, advocacy and social campaigning. Shahil believes in social justice and advocating for the rights of people experiencing challenges in life, finding that focusing on intervention at a micro-level is just as critical as issues on a macro-level. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Neutrality Project - https://neu...
Episode 98: Kristin
December 08, 2023 19:00 - 41 minutes - 31 MBIn this episode I speak with Kristin, a qualified social worker with 17 years of social work experience in youth justice, child protection and the family court. Kristin qualified in Australia but has lived and worked in the UK since 2012. Now alongside her social work role, Kristin supports other overseas social workers making the move to the UK. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: CoramBAAF - https://corambaaf.org.uk/ The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) re...
Episode 97: Patricia
November 24, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 56.7 MBIn this episode I speak with Patricia. Born in Zambia, Patricia has qualifications in Social Work and Social Policy and her experience spans working in government and non-government organisations and co-authoring a chapter of a clinical handbook in adolescent medicine. Her experience as a mother of a child with a terminal illness inspired her to write a book, and she’s now working on a follow up novel. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Bwembya’s Mother (Patricia’s book) ...
Episode 96: Marie 2
November 10, 2023 19:00 - 35 minutes - 26.4 MBIn this episode I speak with Marie, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Couples and Family Therapist, presenter, podcaster, and trainer, renowned for her expertise in the field of mental health and wellbeing. With a focus on normalising discussions around mental health, Marie equips audiences with the knowledge and tools to nurture their own mental wellbeing, helping to break down stigma and empower individuals to speak openly and confidently about mental health. Links to resources m...
Episode 95: Rhianna
October 27, 2023 19:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MBIn this episode I speak with Rhianna, a Certified Humanistic Play Therapist and Interplay practitioner with Play Therapy Australia. Rhianna currently works as the Women and Childrens Crisis Counsellor with Coast Shelter. She values walking alongside her clients in their journey and supporting them to achieve better mental health and life outcomes after experiencing trauma. Rhianna has a passion for outdoor based therapies and using creativity in her approaches to working with clients. Links...
Episode 94: Calum
October 13, 2023 19:00 - 56 minutes - 41.4 MBIn this episode I speak with Calum, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Psychotherapist, with 10 years of experience across specialist mental health services both in Australia and the UK. Calum also runs a small private practice, Stoa Therapy, and is undertaking further education in Family Therapy. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Calum’s private therapy practice, Stoa Therapy - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stoa-therapy Stoa Therapy on Instagram - https:/...
Episode 93: Kristen
September 29, 2023 20:00 - 48 minutes - 30.2 MBIn this episode I speak with Kristen, a passionate early career practitioner in the children, young persons and families space who in her spare time is also continuing her professional development by completing a Master’s of Social Work. Kristen uses relationship-based practice to work alongside young parents in supporting them to improve child developmental outcomes, breaking the cycle of generational disadvantage, and to empower them to realise their parental strengths. Links to resource...
Episode 92: Dave
September 15, 2023 20:00 - 38 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode I speak with Dave, a senior social work clinician and supervisor in private practice. Dave works from a combined Schema Therapy and EMDR framework in order to meet the needs of his clients. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Schema Therapy Training Online - https://schematherapytrainingonline.com/ EMDR Toolbox (James Knipe) - https://www.springerpub.com/emdr-toolbox-9780826172556.html Psychiatry and Psychotherapy podcast - https://www.psychiatrypodcast.c...
Episode 91: Eileen
September 01, 2023 20:00 - 55 minutes - 40.2 MBIn this episode I speak with Eileen, who has over 30 years of experience in child abuse, family violence, mental health and trauma and is passionate about the safety of children and ensuring the voices of children are heard. In 2022 Eileen launched her own company as a way of promoting primary prevention in the areas of child abuse and family violence. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Eileen’s business ‘Earlvention’ - https://www.earlvention.com.au/ Safe and Equal, Mel...
Episode 90: Kellie
August 18, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBIn this episode I speak with Kellie, a social worker with comprehensive working experience with Centrelink and Services Australia who has recently entered private practice to assist clients with their healing and recovery journey from trauma. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Power in Partnerships Network (PiPN) - https://www.socialworkacademy.com.au/pipn/pipn-promotion/ Trauma Super Conference 2023 - https://spiritualgrowthevents.com/events/trauma-mind-body-superconfer...
Episode 89: Amy
August 04, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 37.6 MBIn this episode I speak with Amy, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, EMDR accredited Consultant and Parts Work Practitioner who is an enthusiast in all things somatic and creative. Amy started her journey in child and family work but was able to experience a range of work within the education, homelessness, community health and tertiary education sector. Amy co-owns a private practice in the Hunter Valley with other like-minded professionals and hopes others have the support and cour...
Episode 88: Kathryn
July 21, 2023 20:59 - 51 minutes - 38.4 MBIn this episode I speak with Kathryn, who has extensive experience in psychosocial disability and mental health through NDIS. She also has a degree in Film Studies and incorporates this in her private practice where she provides a niche therapy modality called Cinematherapy. Kathryn provides counselling through NDIS, mentoring, and mental health support for adult clients, their carers and families. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Refugee Alternatives Conference 2017 -...
Episode 87: Troy
July 07, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBIn this episode I speak with Troy, a Social Justice Advocate in Uniting’s advocacy team. He enjoys movies, asking people if he can pet their dog, American politics, saying unprompted that’s he going to join a sports team this year, social and economic justice, and adding to the pile of books on his bedside table that he never reads. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Roger Ebert - https://www.rogerebert.com/ Breaking Grounds cafe opening article - https://breakthru.org.a...
Episode 86: Chantelle
June 23, 2023 20:00 - 54 minutes - 34.1 MBIn this episode I speak with Chantelle, owner of REACH Wellbeing, a private practice offering supervision to helping professionals. Chantelle has experience working across the lifespan primarily in the areas of trauma and mental health and has a keen interest in education, as well as how social work more broadly can exist in the world of media. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Chantelle’s Instagram account ("The Assertive Social Worker") - https://www.instagram.com/thea...
Episode 85: Carolyn
June 09, 2023 20:00 - 54 minutes - 40.9 MBIn this episode I speak with Carolyn, who has worked in the trauma, child protection, domestic violence and mental health sectors in Australia and the UK. In addition to her Bachelor and Masters's degrees in Social Work, Carolyn has a Masters in Adult Education and is undertaking a Masters in Applied Neuroscience. She has published more than 20 peer reviewed articles in the areas of supervision, clinical practice and management and received a Creswick Fellowship in 2012 to study attachment t...
Episode 84: Peta
May 26, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBIn this episode I speak with Peta, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has had extensive training and experience working in the areas of sexual assault, family violence, mental health and trauma. Peta currently runs a private practice providing evidence-based trauma therapy as well as delivering training on managing sexual disclosures and regulating the nervous system. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Child FIRST Victoria - https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au...
Episode 83: Stephanie M
May 12, 2023 20:00 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBIn this episode I speak with Stephanie, who has worked in Canada supporting people with addiction and comorbidities, and now works on accreditation, social impact and organisational transformation. Stephanie is the quality and compliance manager at The Burdekin Association, where she manages a team of six specialists who work to amplify best practice for children and young people with trauma. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: The Burdekin Association - https://burdekin...
Episode 82: Patty
April 28, 2023 22:52 - 54 minutes - 41.7 MBIn this episode I speak with Patty who began her social work career as a domestic violence counsellor before moving into child protection for children in foster care and out of home care. Patty is an external supervisor for social work students at the Australian Catholic University and has had her private counselling practice for 15 years. Patty is also a wedding celebrant, retreat host, workshop facilitator, coach, counsellor, reiki master, energy healer and senior yoga teacher. More recent...
Episode 81: Alex
April 14, 2023 20:00 - 57 minutes - 42.6 MBIn this episode I speak with Alex, the owner of Mindful Recovery Services, a private practice providing psychological treatment and support for adolescents and adults. Alex is passionate about dispelling myths about mental illness and is highly skilled in dialectical behavioural therapy. She is an experienced public speaker and provides consultation to other professionals on managing difficult behaviours in teens. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Alex’s business (Mindfu...
Episode 80: Erin
March 31, 2023 19:00 - 44 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode I speak with Erin, a senior social worker with over 20 years of experience working in mental health and rehabilitation services in Sydney, Brisbane and London. After spending the first 15 years of her career working in the field of child and adolescent mental health and paediatric rehab, Erin began working in adult neurological rehabilitation. She has recently commenced an exciting new role at Care Rehab, a service which provides specialist social work and psychosexual therap...
Episode 79: Michelle L
March 17, 2023 19:00 - 54 minutes - 44 MBIn this episode I speak with Michelle, whose interest and practice focus on attachment, groupwork, narrative therapy, Response Based Practice, systems, and intergenerational trauma. Her areas of specialty include LGBTQIA+, CALD, trauma and relationship counselling. She currently works in both private practice and in NGOs to provide therapy, consultations and training, and clinical supervision for social work/counselling students. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Sydney ...
Episode 78: Jacob & Aaron
March 03, 2023 19:00 - 58 minutes - 39.5 MBIn this episode I speak with Jacob and Aaron. Aaron is a social worker and therapist currently working with children in Out of Home Care across NSW to build the relational networks around children and facilitate their healing from developmental trauma through somatic and play-based therapies. Jacob is a child and adolescent social worker with experience providing trauma-informed therapeutic support to children and young people across the out of home care, refugee resettlement and residential...
Episode 77: Claire M
February 17, 2023 19:01 - 50 minutes - 38.7 MBIn this episode I speak with Claire, a community based social worker with experience initially in mental health before moving into the field of criminal justice. She has predominantly provided long term case management and support for women as they transition from prison back into the community. Claire is a strong advocate for assisting people to develop pathways and identities outside of the criminal justice system to reduce the numbers of people, particularly First Nations peoples cycling ...
Episode 76: Cherie
February 03, 2023 19:00 - 39 minutes - 28.5 MBIn this episode I speak with Cherie, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who has over 15 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults primarily working in the field of trauma, focusing on sexual assault and domestic violence. In addition to her counselling role Cherie provides clinical supervision as well as mentoring, training and resources for social workers wanting to develop their own private practice. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Cherie...
Episode 75: Peggy
January 20, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBIn this episode I speak with Peggy, who completed her social work degree at the University of South Australia in 1994. She worked in NSW Health for over 27 years in a variety of social work and health manager roles. She is currently working for Queensland Health as a social worker in the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service. She is passionate about supporting and developing social workers and encouraging them to look outside traditional social work roles for job opportunities. Links to resourc...
Episode 74: Cathy O
January 06, 2023 19:00 - 1 hour - 42 MBIn this episode I speak with Cathy who in over 25yrs as a social worker has worked in the community sector and multicultural aged care, in an acute teaching hospital in rehab and aged care, and has developed training tools and social work group supervision. Cathy has now returned to community social work in Northern Sydney for the Community Nursing program, visiting patients with chronic and complex issues. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Severe Domestic Squalor by Joh...
Episode 73: Rebecca
December 23, 2022 19:00 - 58 minutes - 44.5 MBIn 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 legal aid, and supporting high risk young offenders. More recently Rebecca has moved into part-ti...
Episode 72: Lucinda
December 09, 2022 19:00 - 45 minutes - 32.4 MBIn 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 community and clinical mental health settings. She is motivated to lead teams of allied health practit...
Episode 71: Cathy C
November 25, 2022 19:00 - 57 minutes - 41.6 MBIn 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 needs. She has also completed research into the role of the priest’s wife within the Greek Orthodo...
Episode 70: Gabbie
November 11, 2022 19:00 - 49 minutes - 35 MBIn 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 University of California, Los Angeles. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Tuck & ...
Episode 69: Zen
October 28, 2022 19:00 - 47 minutes - 34.8 MBIn 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 transitions, substance abuse, grief and loss, and workplace conflict. Links to resources mention...
Episode 68: Emma
October 14, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBIn 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 work in reframing and healing from shame associated with ADHD. Links to resources mentioned in ...
Episode 67: Jazmin
September 30, 2022 20:00 - 56 minutes - 39.9 MBIn 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 the unborn notifications outreach visits. Jazmin currently works in primary and secondary schools...
Episode 66: Claire
September 16, 2022 20:00 - 44 minutes - 33 MBIn 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 illness. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Link2home (homelessness information ...
Episode 65: Nicoletta
September 02, 2022 20:00 - 54 minutes - 40.4 MBIn 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 social work courses. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: A21 (organisation a...