Inside Social Work
Episodes
Mail Bag
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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?Th...
How to Feel Confident When Working With Parents
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Owning Your Own Sh*t
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Working With Couples (Without Playing Referee)
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Looking Back at Our Money Stories
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ha...
Untangling money blocks in social work
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our relationship with money doesn’t start when we open our first bank account. It’s shaped from childhood, through our families, culture, co...
We don’t have to work for free
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, Asht...
Saving money starting out and the mistakes we made
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 endl...
Why do social workers feel guilty charging our worth?
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
The hardest parts of social work and what we love about it
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, an...
The moments self-doubt almost stopped us
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ou...
The careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believe
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How our social work practice has grown
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 al...
Behind the scenes of becoming an accredited mental health social worker series intro.
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 everyo...
Benefits of Supervision
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mea...
Therapy With Teens
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teenagers today are navigating a very complex world Social media and digital technology, constant connection, academic pressure, identity exploration,...
What Bad Therapy Taught Me About Good Therapy
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Very Bad Therapy Encore
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sp...
What Just Happened? How to Use ‘Here and Now’ Comments in Therapy
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,&...
Student Placements in Private Practice with Amy Howell
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Student placements in private practice are becoming more common, but they raise a lot of questions for students, supervisors, and clients.In this epis...
Inside the Therapy Room with the Whole Family
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 cross...
Is Caring Costing You? Money Beliefs and Private Practice
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 j...
Is Finding Your Dream Job a Scam?
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Talk About the Talking: What Really Matters in the First Three Sessions
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Intersectionality and finding a BIPOC therapist with Tham Fuyana
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the therapist you were seeing just got it?What if you didn’t have to explain your cultural background, your lived experience, or the reasons...
When a Client Dies by Suicide: Reflections for Mental Health Professionals
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Inside Social Work, I am joined by psychologist and researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins for an honest, reflective conversation abou...
Inside Social Work Returns
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really mean to work in this space? To support others, hold complex stories, and still show up with care?In this new season of Inside Soci...
Workplace Bullying, Burnout, and Work-Related Stress
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Workplace bullying, burnout, and work-related stress are significant issues that can have detrimental effects on individuals in various professions....
Helping women recover from interpersonal trauma and violence
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Helping women recover from interpersonal trauma and violence Liz is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who runs her own privat...
Supporting Social Workers with their accreditation pathway with Ashton Hayes
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ashton talks us through some steps you can take to work towards your accreditation. She shares some of the resources that she's developed, ...
Part 2 Implicit bias, we all have it with Lachlan Slade
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second episode of a multi-part series examining gender and sexuality. In this episode we look at implicit bias. About your guest Lach...
Part 1: They don't look gay?! Getting language right with Lachlan Slade
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first episode of a multi-part series examining gender and sexuality. How we as social workers can be more inclusive in our language ...
I hate baths. Reimagining self care with Yasmine McKee-Wright
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I hate baths. Reimagining self care with Yasmine McKee-Wright Yasmine McKee- Wright is a social worker and podcaster.She has learned a lot from some o...
Destigmatising borderline personality disorder and understanding DBT with Yvette Vardy
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Yvette Vardy is a clinical psychologist with twenty years of experience in the treatment of people with borderline personality disorder and those w...
Hello Anxiety with Dr Jodie Richardson
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Jodie Richardson is one of Australia's leading lights in managing anxiety. An educational leader, Dr Jodi Richardson supports parents and teachers...
9 questions to ask your therapist
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Things to ask your therapist during your first therapy session Doing some research and planning before your session can help give you a sense of calm ...
Purple Carrots: Inclusive drama programs with Silvina D'Alessandro
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, you’ll hear how Silvina started an inclusive drama program in Canada and ran it successfully there for a number of years be...
Part 3 Supervision- Understanding Learning Preferences
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all have different ways that we like to learn and engage with content. In this episode, I talk through some of the learning preferences that adult ...
Becoming trained in EMDR Therapy Caroline Burrows
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline is an accredited EMDR, trainer and consultant with a background in clinical social work and psychotherapy. She has over 15 years of experienc...
Supervision PART 2: The Benefits of Group Supervision
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Benefits of group supervisionGroup supervision can provide unique opportunities to grow your skills, feel connected and normalise difficult situations...
Hospital Social Work with Adham Hammoud
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Adam works in tertiary mental health services. He's an accredited mental health social worker. Currently he works as a social Work Discipline lead in ...
Supervision PART 1
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Supervision is SO important . It provides a forum for reflection and learning, review, reflection, critique and replenishment for professional p...
Being your authentic self with Coby Liew
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We chatted about diversity, sexuality, being authentic in therapy, critical reflection, building trust, and sharing parts of your lived experience. Ab...
Healthy Boundaries
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Boundaries are the limits we set with other people, which indicate what we find acceptable and unacceptable in their behavior towards us. Elements of ...
What can we learn from Very Bad Therapy? With Caroline Wiita & Ben Fineman
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We can learn so much from people's experiences of therapy. When someone shares their story of what they have found helpful and harmful, we need to ref...
Imposter Syndrome
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Impostor syndrome What is imposter syndrome?It’s not the same as having self-doubt. Sometimes when we learn a new skill or we’re trying som...
The importance of investing in ourselves with Helen Gray
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The importance of investing in ourselves with Helen Gray Website - https://helengray.com.au/Reset Your Mindset - Free webinar on the 4 step...
Understanding anxiety in teens
15 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anxiety in Teens What is anxietyHow to identify anxiety in teensTips on how to initiate a conversation with your teen about their anxietySelf-hel...
BONUS episode: Having conversations about mental health
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Blog posts https://thetherapyhub.com.au/how-can-i-approach-someone-with-depression-or-anxiety/ https://thetherapyhub.com.au/difficultconve...
ENCORE EMDR Therapy explained, with Caroline Burrows.
14 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
EMDR explained, with Caroline Burrows.Caroline is an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant with a background in Clinical Social Work and Psychotherap...
ENCORE: Youth Mental Health First Aid with Dr Claire Kelly
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how you can support young people who may be struggling with mental health challenges? In this episode, I talk through the importance of ...
Creating an LGBTQIA+ safe practice with Lachlan Slade
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lauchlan has a special interest counselling teens and adults who are experiencing trauma or anxiety, and with people from LGBTIQA+ communities.Lauchla...
Creating a gender clinic with Allison Parker
28 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Allison and I discuss the importance of gender-inclusive health care. We discuss ways individual practitioners can show support, be a...
Managing Burnout in Private Practice.
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Managing Burnout in Private Practice. Karen shares with listeners her Social Work journey. We talk about working with women and children, managin...
Exploring Policy and Advocacy with self described policy geek Jack Whitney
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jack shares his passion for policy. He highlights some of the roles social workers can play that are not in direct practice, and how ...
Moving from the city to the Top End. Working as a social worker in the Northern Territory
03 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Katilin is a recent graduate currently working in Katherine NT in an aboriginal controlled health service as a dual diagnosis worker. The w...
How are you showing up in the jobhunting space? With Kate Taylor
29 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How are you showing up in the job hunting space? With Kate Taylor Founder and managing director of TaylorCare group Kate Taylor, runs a recruitm...
Supporting fathers with Dom Alford
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Supporting father with Don AlfordThis episode's guest is Dom. Dom Alford works as A Project Coordinator - Support for Fathers at Relationships Austral...
Working in disability services with Amberly Moers
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amberly shares her experience working in disability services as a support worker. She has worked through recent bushfires the Covid 19 pandemic and lo...
E39 Exploring mindfulness with Associate Professor Craig Hassed.
13 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Exploring mindfulness with Associate Professor Craig Hassed.Associate Professor Craig Hassed, shares with listeners some of basics of mindfulness, wha...
Working with young people in forensic services.
14 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Working with young people in forensic services In this episode, Susan Hancox shares her experience working in forensics services. She...
Working in perinatal and infant mental health
17 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jude is an accredited mental health social worker, counsellor and therapist. In this week's episode, she shares with listeners her journey leading to ...
The unique perspective of social workers in tertiary mental health services.
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, I interview Justine Grimmer about her experiences working in ED mental health services. Justine has come into social work afte...
Motivational Interviewing Explained with Dr Rosemary Higgins.
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Rosemary Higgins joins me in the podcast to discuss Motivational Interviewing. Rosemary has vast experience in the domains of research and practice...
Nothing about us without us , working in mental health advocacy and peer work.
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Working in mental health advocacy and peer work.In this week's episode, Matthew Jackman shares with listeners some of his experiences being a social w...
Reframing Social Work Education.
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jo and Alice return the podcast to update listeners on their upcoming social work talks quarterly issue. We recap some of the key areas from previous ...
The Role of a Social Worker in Parkinson’s Care
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amanda shares with listeners her social work journey, navigating the disability sector, working in statutory services in the UK, and traveling across ...
Exploring the grief and bereavement that can accompany chronic illness and disability.
19 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, I talk with Louise Pearson. Louise is an accredited mental health social worker with over twenty years of experience in the di...
Bringing about behavioural change, working in men's behaviour change programs with Blake Johns
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to Blake share some of his experiences working in a men's behaviour change program. Blake is an accredited mental health social worker, worki...
EMDR explained, with Caroline Burrows.
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, I talk with Caroline Burrows about EMDR.Caroline talks us through what EMDR is and what it can be used for. Caroline is a...
Working with vulnerable kids and families in child protection. Liz Andrew Brake.
27 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Liz Andrew- Brake is a qualified Social Worker that is AASW registered. She has been working in the Child Protection field for the past 12+ years. She...
Thinking big. Providing counselling in a women's refuge and starting a social enterprise.
21 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
‘’Thinking big’’ providing counselling in a women's refuge and starting a social enterprise. Jen Wiedman Jen has had a very diverse and in...
From Paralegal to Social Worker. Working with children and trauma all while staying passionate about the work you do.
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In my interview with Ashton Hayes, she shares her journey starting off as a paralegal working in family law. Her career took on a new trajectory as sh...
Influencing change and advocating for ourselves with Suzanne Doorakkers.
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Suzanne Doorakkers is an AMHSW and director of a large group practice, Emerald Tree Counselling, in Geelong. Last year Suzanne was elected onto the AA...
You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression talking recruitment with Kate Taylor
24 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s episode takes a look at something a little different, getting a job. Kate Taylor, founder and managing director of Taylor care recruitme...
The balancing act of school social work with Kylie Lloyd.
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode explores the world of school social work. I talk with Kylie Lloyd, who shares her experiences transitioning into social work as a ...
Bringing parents and families into the room when working with young people.
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Katrina shares her experience working with families in a school setting and in a hospital setting. Katrina has written an arti...
Working with sexual and gender diverse clients, with Josh Muller.
03 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode takes a look at working with diversity, in particular with LGBTQIA+ people. The way we communicate is important, it doesn't just c...
Working close to home, experiences of a social worker in rural Victoria.
26 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 20: Working close to home, experiences of a social worker in rural Victoria. In this episode, Lachlan Slade shares some of his experiences w...
You cannot tell ACT to clients, you have to experience it with them. Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Louise Hayes.
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Louise Hayes explains some of the basic principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT. Louise is a clinical psyc...
''I need my me time’’. Finding space, laughter and other ways to manage anxiety during difficult times, with Dr Lillian Nejad
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode Lillian shares some ways we can manage anxiety during tough times. We talk about needing alone time, balancing work-life balance...
Finding your area of flow and passion, working in private practice with Cathy Love
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In my interview with Cathy we talk about the benefits and challenges in running a private practice. She shares some insights into the fears allie...
Man up, talking men's mental health with Kylie King.
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Man up, talking men's mental health With Kylie King In this episode I talk with Kylie King about male suicide. We discuss the language to use when tal...
Don’t worry if you make mistakes. Talking business and supervision with Jane Wexler.
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about how to make the most of supervision, how to be a supervisor and some of the issues social workers encounter when running...
Loneliness doesn't discriminate. Addressing the stigma around loneliness with friends for good.
22 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Rouhan is the co-founder and general manager of friends for good. She has a background community development which spans over 15 years. Laura...
Going from student to professional and starting a social work newsletter with Joanne Young and Alice Cairn
14 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Going from student to professional and starting a social work newsletter with Joanne Young and Alice Cairn Jo is doing her final year of a Masters of ...
Working with Young People. Talking school refusal and balancing teachers, parents and young people's differing needs.
30 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sarah and I talk about the challenges of working with schools and balancing wellbeing and student academic outcomes. Sarah shares som...
Trauma sensitive yoga practice: Creating a safe space in a yoga studio for survivors of sexual assault.
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today's show looks at a different way working with survivors of sexual assault. In this episode, you’ll hear how Clare uses trauma-sensitive yoga to...
What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Tapping ? With Khadine Aharon
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Khadine Aharon is an Accredited Social Worker who specialises in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). She has more than 25 years of combined experien...
Doing the work we love shouldn't make us ill. Talking burnout and self care with Helen Gray.
08 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about burn out and why self-care is crucial to prevent burnout. Helen shares her personal journey in the social work profe...
Dr Laura Hart talks teen Mental Health First Aid
18 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 8 Teen Mental Health First Aid Dr. Laura Hart is a Senior Research Fellow in the Engaging Minds in Body Image and Eating Disorders (EMBodIED...
Dr Claire Kelly is talking mental health and becoming a Mental Health First Aider
03 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes In this episode, I chat with Dr. Claire Kelly, the Manager of Research and Evaluation at Mental Health First Aid Australia. We ch...
How to build a close and trusting relationship with clients while maintaining professional boundaries.
20 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How to build a close and trusting relationship with clients while maintaining professional boundaries. What are professional boundaries? While th...
Becoming a social worker, the joys, challenges and struggles .
23 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Vittorio and I share stories of why we got into social work, sharing some of our challenges, struggles and memorable moments. Vittorio has been a soci...
Counselling children affected by family breakdown. Interview with Verity Best and Josette Gardiner.
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Interview with Verity Best and Josette Gardiner : Counselling for children affected by family breakdown. Working with families and children in mediat...
Growing a social worker, talking student placements and the importance of supervision with Ronnie Egan.
25 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With Associate Professor Ronnie Egan, we explore the need for quality student placements, what stops people from taking on a student and the unexpecte...
Social Change Through an Employment Training Program, with Grant Holland.
28 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview with CEO Grant Holland, we discuss his journey from working with cars to becoming a Social Worker and Family Therapist. We take a lo...
Where Social Work and the Law Meet, Developing a Social Work Service in a Private Law Firm with Olga Gountras.
06 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Hear about how Slater and Gordon’s free Social Work service exists to support their clients Australia-wide who are facing a wide range of emotional ...
Episode 0: Introduction to Inside Social work
04 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast episode will look a little different to future episodes. Its a chance for you to get to know the host Marie Vakakis and hear about her...