Best Marie Vakakis Podcasts (2024)

1
Working with couples (with Marie Vakakis) 51:45

19d ago51:45

51:45

Bron and Marie chat about working well with couples on common issues like sexual desire discrepancies, communication, and conflict. Marie shares her approach to using the Gottman method for assessment and intervention, stressing the need for balancing conflict resolution with positive interactions. They also chat about 👉🏽 handling countertransferen…

1
The importance of knowing your own stuff as a therapist (with Daniela Ho Tan) 57:27

32m ago57:27

57:27

Bron and Daniela chat about the value of knowing your own stuff when you're a therapist. We explore 👉🏿 why therapists need to engage in their own self-reflection 👉 debunk myths around therapists doing inner work 👉🏾 share practical tips for integrating self-awareness and self-care into practice. Daniela is such an insightful and joyful guest so I kn…

1
Transform Your Relationship in One Hour a Week with State of the Union Meetings 9:36

2h ago9:36

9:36

n today's solo episode, I'm excited to share a powerful tool that can help transform your relationship in just one hour a week—the State of the Union meeting. Created by the renowned John and Julie Gottman, this technique is all about building stronger, more empathetic relationships. In this episode, I discuss how dedicating just one hour a week to…

1
LISTENER STORY: Equine therapy, AHPRA complaints, going solo in private practice (with Danielle Rancie) 53:24

6d ago53:24

53:24

Bron chats with Danielle about the ups and downs of her journey towards registration, her passion for equine therapy and holistic approach to healing 🐎, and her transition into solo private practice. Danielle also talks what it felt like to receive an AHPRA complaint as a provisional psychologist and what helped her through the process. This was a …

1
AHPRA Notifications (with Dr Carollyne Youssef) 48:36

10d ago48:36

48:36

Bron and Carol unpack how complaints about psychologists are managed by AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia. We chat about how notifications are initiated, common complaints, the aims of the complaints process, and how to minimise the risk of receiving a complaint. We round off with some practical tips and emphasise the importance of social…

1
BONUS: Harmful supervision 24:27

13d ago24:27

24:27

Recent studies have found that up to 62% of counselling professionals are receiving harmful supervision... but no-one is talking about it. In this episode, Bron unpacks what harmful supervision is, its impact on supervisee wellbeing and professional development, and what to do if you're receiving harmful supervision. Bron also discusses how to reco…

1
Unlocking Happiness and Men’s Mental Health with Tim Sharp 36:10

18d ago36:10

36:10

In today's episode, I chatted with a leading expert in positive psychology who has dedicated his life to promoting mental health and well-being. I'm excited by this guest because he not only shares valuable insights but also speaks openly about his own experiences with mental illness, aiming to destigmatise these important issues. I like his book b…

1
You Made Me This Way Confronting Childhood Trauma and Surviving Sexual Abuse 39:51

25d ago39:51

39:51

In today’s episode, I chat with Shannon Molloy, a journalist and author whose latest book, You Made Me This Way, delves into the impact of childhood trauma and the resilience needed to overcome it. I'm excited by this guest because Shannon's insights into trauma and resilience are both profound and relatable. I like his book because it provides a r…

1
Should I get certified in a particular therapy? (with Daniela Ho Tan) 57:48

29d ago57:48

57:48

Bron and Daniela chat about the pressure🔥 and process to become certified or accredited in a particular therapy like Schema, IFS, or EMDR. Daniela shares her experiences with schema therapy certification, including the benefits as well as the time and financial commitments. We also chat about how to decide if certification is right for you and some…

1
Navigating Conflict and Embracing Vulnerability with John Flanagan 47:28

1M ago47:28

47:28

Navigating Conflict and Embracing Vulnerability In this special Mens Health Month episode, I’m joined by John Flanagan, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and certified Gottman therapist. Today, we’re focusing on important aspects of men's mental health. We break down myths about men and emotional expression, explore the importance of creati…

1
What does a forensic psychologist do? (with Amy Brandler) 42:01

1M ago42:01

42:01

Bron and Amy discuss Amy's career journey as a forensic psychologist. We chat about 👉🏽 What forensic psychology is and how to become a forensic psychologist 👉🏻 Motivations behind criminal behaviour 👉 Challenges and rewards of working with clients who have committed a crime 👉🏿 Misconceptions about forensic psychology and criminal populations. Guest:…

1
Career progression in psychology: What jobs can I get? (with Matthew Jackson) 43:23

1M ago43:23

43:23

Bron and Matthew chat about career opportunities in psychology beyond the therapy chair and, if you're already a qualified psychologist, beyond completing the Registrar program. We refer to ✨shiny✨ new research from researchers at the University of Canberra and the Australian National University showing that the skills gained during a psychology de…

1
Understanding Depression: Men's Mental Health with Therapist Simon Rinne 39:31

1M ago39:31

39:31

In this episode of This Complex Life, I chat with Simon Rinne, a lived experience therapist who specialises in men's mental health. Simon shares his personal story with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, and burnout, offering a unique perspective on the challenges men face when dealing with mental health issues. Simon and I explore…

1
Intro- Mens Health Month 0:53

1M ago0:53

0:53

Submit a question to the Podcast https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6 Connect with Marie https://thetherapyhub.com.au/ https://marievakakis.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/By Marie Vakakis

1
Helping clients find healthy relationships (with Phoebe Rogers) 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

Bron and Phoebe chat about how to help clients have healthy romantic relationships and develop a secure attachment style. Phoebe tells us about her additional postgrad training in relationship counselling, how therapy has been essential to her personal growth, and how she went about setting up an online group therapy program. Guest: Phoebe Rogers, …

1
Understanding Addiction. Coping Strategies and Sober Dating Tips 48:38

2M ago48:38

48:38

If you've ever wondered about the real reasons behind addiction or how to navigate social pressures around alcohol, this episode is for you. In this episode, I chat with Tara Herster, a psychologist specialising in addiction and substance use. Tara breaks down common myths about addiction and offers practical strategies for managing substance use, …

1
How do I know if private practice is for me? (with Jordan Turner) 50:12

2M ago50:12

50:12

Bron and Jordan chat about how to know if private practice is for you, and if you are ready for this big step! We discuss the financial aspects, practical skills needed, and the importance of good work-life boundaries. Jordan shares her recent journey of moving from group to solo practice, and Bron offers her perspective from the past three years o…

1
Working therapeutically with young children (with Kate Christie) 44:22

2M ago44:22

44:22

Bron and Kate chat about the challenges and rewards of working therapeutically with children under the age of 10. 👉🏼 Kate shares her journey into child psychology 👉🏾 Innovative therapeutic techniques such as Lego therapy 👉🏿 How to maintain boundaries and confidentiality in sensitive family situations 👉 The importance of liking and understanding chi…

1
Help. My teens aren't interested in me. What do I do? 24:28

2M ago24:28

24:28

In this episode, I address a heartfelt question from a listener, a 62-year-old father who feels disconnected from his teenage daughters. He is eager to understand their changing interests and how to maintain a meaningful relationship despite feeling sidelined. I provide insights into adolescent development, effective communication strategies withou…

1
What is music therapy? (with Brede Davis) 54:42

2M ago54:42

54:42

Bron and Brede chat about MUSIC THERAPY! 🎶 We discuss 👉🏽 Who music therapy can help 👉🏻 How creativity is therapeutic 👉 How to become a Registered Music Therapist 👉🏿 Common misconceptions about music therapy aaand 👉🏾 Practical advice for psychologists interested in incorporating music into their therapeutic practices. Guest: Brede Davis, Registered …

1
Working effectively with teens (with Marie Vakakis) 45:52

3M ago45:52

45:52

Bron and Marie explore how to work effectively with teenage clients. We cover 👉🏽 The importance of getting to the root cause of behaviours like vaping or excessive phone-use 👉🏻 Managing parents' expectations 👉 Ethical complexities when working with young people 👉🏿 TikTok self-diagnosis 👉🏾 Ways to build rapport with teens. I learned HEAPS when recor…

1
Bringing joy and play back into your work day (with Rebecca Black) 37:32

3M ago37:32

37:32

Bron and Rebecca explore all things joy, play, and fun! They chat about the importance of joy for sustainability in our careers, the common challenges of therapist schemas like self-sacrifice and unrelenting standards, and practical ways that therapists can bring joy into their work to keep burnout at bay. This was a delightful chat and I definitel…

1
Rethinking Borderline Personality Disorder and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 1:01:46

3M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Bron chats with Matthew about Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and its application for folks diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We dive into the stigma surrounding BPD and discuss how reframing BPD as a trauma response can help us to be more compassionate practitioners. Matthew explains the core components of DBT, the importan…

1
Celebrating episode 100! Reflections and our favourite clips 55:30

3M ago55:30

55:30

Come celebrate our 100th episode with us! 🥳🥳🥳 Bron is joined by editor of the podcast, Dr Michael English, to reflect on this huge milestone and listen to clips from our favourite episodes. What was the most requested episode? The most fun episode? The most listened to episode? You'll have to listen in to find out! (PS: I say it in the episode, but…

1
Failing the National Psychology Exam (with Betty Farrell) 41:24

4M ago41:24

41:24

Bron chats with Betty about her experiences of failing the National Psychology Exam. Betty shares the emotional toll of failing, the financial implications, and the struggle with shame and self-doubt it brought. We highlight the need for more open discussions about setbacks in the psychology profession and stress that failing an exam does NOT defin…

1
"Why I chose contract work" (with Jordan Turner) 48:57

4M ago48:57

48:57

Bron chats with Jordan about why she chose to work as a contractor and how she knew it was time to open her own private practice. We also unpack what you need to know if you're considering contract work, including 👉🏼 What's a fair split arrangement? 👉 How do I know if I'm a contractor or an employee? 👉🏿 The importance of understanding the financial…

1
How our mindset impacts how we eat 46:48

4M ago46:48

46:48

In this episode of "This Complex Life," I speak with Dr Lucy, We delve into the profound relationship between our mindset, eating habits, and overall well-being. Dr. Lucy, a dedicated medical practitioner and co-founder of Real Life Medicine, sheds light on the importance of understanding the psychology behind our eating patterns and moving beyond …

1
Trauma-informed therapy for eating disorders (with Sherry-Lee Smith) 40:11

4M ago40:11

40:11

Bron and Sherry-Lee explore the application of trauma-informed approaches, particularly Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, to eating disorders. We dive into 👉🏿 trauma-informed care 👉🏽 adapting trauma therapy for clients with eating disorders 👉 What EMDR is and how it can be used to help clients with eating disorders. Gues…

1
How do I support my daughter through sexual assault without adding to the trauma? 11:11

4M ago11:11

11:11

In this episode, I address a listener's question on how to support a daughter through the trauma of sexual assault with sensitivity and without adding to her burden. Themes: Responding to Sexual Assault: Understanding the significance of a supportive response and how it can influence a survivor's recovery journey. Practical Tips for Support: I disc…

1
How to help clients with an eating disorder (with Harriet Iles) 48:29

4M ago48:29

48:29

Eating disorders are complex but don't stress, we're here to help. Bron and Harriet chat about 👉🏿 The critical roles that body dissatisfaction, shame, and perfectionism play in eating disorders 👉🏾 Treatment approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) and Maudsley Family Therapy 👉🏻 The importance of being aware of your own att…

1
Growing Yourself Up with Dr Jenny Brown 39:18

4M ago39:18

39:18

In today’s episode, I dive deep into the heart of self-growth and relationships with the return of esteemed guest, Dr. Jenny Brown. Join us as we explore her work on emotional maturity, based on her book, "Growing Yourself Up. How to Bring Your Best to All of Life's Relationships" Together, we uncover the nuanced ways our personal development influ…

1
Upskilling in culturally-responsive practice for Asian clients (with Daniela Ho Tan) 58:33

4M ago58:33

58:33

Bron and Daniela talk about how to ensure that therapy is culturally responsive, particularly for clients of Asian heritage. They chat about 👉🏽 Daniela's lived experience as a person of the Asian diaspora 👉🏻 How culture shows up in therapy (even if we're not aware of it) 👉 Strategies for building rapport and retaining clients who are culturally-div…

1
Should you join a professional association? (with Sahra O'Doherty and Carly Dober) 49:10

5M ago49:10

49:10

You might have heard that professional associations exist for psychologists -- but what exactly do they do, and what are the benefits of joining one? Bron is joined by two Directors of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) to chat about what professional associations do for their members, how professional associations collaborate w…

1
How to REALLY process what clients share with us (with Matthew Jackson) 52:57

5M ago52:57

52:57

Clients often share information that hits us right in the feels: Things that are sad, traumatic, angering, devastating, and everything in between. Bron and Matthew explore how to go about actually processing the emotional impact of therapy sessions. They chat about 👉🏽 Ways to lessen the risk of vicarious trauma 👉🏻 Managing the challenge of not bein…

1
Using deliberate practice to improve your therapy skills and confidence (with Aaron Frost) 47:32

5M ago47:32

47:32

Bron and Dr Aaron Frost discuss the importance of deliberate practice in the development of psychologists. They highlight that psychologists can reliably improve their skills by collecting client data and working on the areas that are difficult (like client retention), instead of learning therapy after therapy. We talk about 👉 What role plays shoul…

1
BONUS: Insights from an NDIS participant on living with a disability (with Cameron Milkins) 15:02

5M ago15:02

15:02

Bron chats with her brother, Cameron, who is an NDIS participant and lives with cerebral palsy. They discuss his experiences, his preferences when working with psychologists, his likes and dislikes in the way people approach his disability, and how the NDIS could improve. Listen in for an insightful chat! THE END BITS Mental Work is your companion …

1
Disability and working effectively in the NDIS (with Dr Katherine Elliston) 48:47

5M ago48:47

48:47

Bron and Katherine demystify the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and working effectively with people with a disability. They chat about 👉🏽 Katherine's insights as a Behaviour Support Practitioner 👉🏻 The importance of understanding the functional behaviour of people living with disabilities 👉 Katherine's advocacy work within the disabili…

1
PhD curious? Everything you wanted to know (with Dr Michael English) 50:37

6M ago50:37

50:37

Dr Bron and Dr Michael deep dive into the world of PhDs. They chat about 👉🏽 their very different experiences of doing a PhD 👉🏻 How doing a PhD has helped Bron to be a better therapist 👉 How Michael has used his PhD as a postdoctoral researcher & PhD supervisor 👉🏿 Tips, tricks, and considerations if you're thinking of studying a PhD. Guest: Dr Micha…

1
"You can define your own pathway": Coming to psychology from a corporate career (with Nick Gotsis) 1:01:13

6M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Bron is joined by listener Nick to chat about his unique transition into psychology at a later stage of life and while he was a full-time Executive Director of HR. They chat about 👉🏽 The challenges he faced and sacrifices Nick made to study psychology 👉🏻 The importance of having a solid support system and being patient in your psychology career jou…

1
Family therapy: The basics and an intro to relational dynamics (with Marie Vakakis) 55:52

6M ago55:52

55:52

Bron and Marie unpack family therapy using the hypothetical case study of the Wilson family, who are finding it hard to be in the same room without arguing, all while navigating work stress and teenage development. They chat about 👉🏽 When family therapy is appropriate 👉🏻 How to conceptualise presenting concerns in family therapy 👉 Common family the…

1
How to reclaim the joy of being a psychologist (with Matthew Jackson) 59:04

6M ago59:04

59:04

Happy New Year Mental Workers, and welcome back a new season of the Mental Work podcast - it's great to be back! 🥳⭐ In this ep, Bron and Matthew chat about how to reclaim the joy of being a psychologist if you've lost it. They discuss 👉🏽 The factors that can lead to disillusionment for early-career psychs 👉🏻 What gives us joy in our work 👉 Matthew'…

1
“Why am I doing this again?” Celebrating the positives of being a psychologist 19:12

7M ago19:12

19:12

It's our last episode for 2023! Thanks SO much for listening ❤️ Bron thought she would treat you to some uplifting content to round off the year. In this ep, Bron unpacks all the good things about being a psychologist, just in case you've forgotten how unique, valuable, and special our work is. Tune in for some good vibes and a reminder of why we d…

1
End-of-year burnout and developing your burnout prevention plan 22:36

8M ago22:36

22:36

Bron unpacks what end-of-year burnout looks like for therapists and her 🔥 red hot 🔥strategies for preventing burnout (book your leave for next year NOW!). LINKS Comic by Gemma Correll on burnout: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbAi-OrrSBw/ THE END BITS Mental Work is your companion to early-career psychology, hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins. Love the pod…

1
How to feel confident when working with parents (with Marie Vakakis) 44:32

8M ago44:32

44:32

Nervous about including parents in therapy? Wish you could run the other way when a parent asks to speak with you? Our guest today, Marie Vakakis, wants EVERY therapist to feel comfortable working with parents and families. Marie helps Bron to 👉🏽 address common anxieties that psychs have about working with parents 👉🏻 How to involve parents in thera…

1
When the therapist ends therapy 31:02

8M ago31:02

31:02

Bron unpacks saying 'goodbye' to clients when the therapist is the one who is ending the relationship. Otherwise known as 'therapist-led termination' or 'unilateral termination', this is something that all therapists will encounter when they change workplaces, take extended leave, or decide that therapy just isn't working with a particular client. …

1
Navigating ADHD Coaching vs Therapy 40:51

8M ago40:51

40:51

In today's episode, the tables have turned as Jodi Green interviews me, discussing some of the differences between coaching and therapy. Key Insights: Coaching vs. Therapy: We discuss the distinctions between coaching and therapy in supporting folk with ADHD. We explore the differences and similarities Impact on Relationships: Addressing the ripple…

1
LISTENER STORY: Being a queer therapist, importance of authenticity, leaving the clinical bridging program (with Matthew Jackson) 46:47

8M ago46:47

46:47

Bron and Matthew unpack 👉🏽 Being part of the LGBTIQA+ community as a psychologist 👉🏻 The importance of being authentic inside and outside of therapy 👉 Matthew's passions outside of therapy 👉🏿 Why Matthew chose to leave the clinical psychology bridging program 😲 Guest: Matthew Jackson, Psychologist LINKS Matthew's Insta - Matilda Mercury (@matildame…

1
What's an ADHD coach with Jodi Green _ ADHD part 1 34:45

8M ago34:45

34:45

In this episode of This Complex Life, I talk with Jodi Green, an ADHD coach about ADHD, the impact it can have on relationships and strategies for managing it. Key Takeaways: Jodi Green emphasises that ADHD coaching is not about forcing someone into doing hard things; it's more about making tasks achievable and finding strategies to make them more …

1
LISTENER STORY: "The problem is the problem" (with Allison O'Leary) 1:03:47

8M ago1:03:47

1:03:47

Bron is joined by Allison to unpack the highs and lows of Allison's journey to licensure. Allison went through some downright scary experiences as a therapist-in-training, but wanted to come on the podcast to share with you a story of hope and the lessons she has learned about 👉🏽 Burnout 👉🏻 Unethical placements 👉 The importance of supportive collea…

1
LISTENER STORY: Teacher to psych transition, managing complex cases, supporting gender diverse youth (with Natalie Shamir) 42:12

9M ago42:12

42:12

Bron and Natalie unpack her 4+2 journey as a school provisional psych. They chat about 👉🏽 Natalie's transition from primary school teacher to provisional psych 👉🏻 Great things about being a psych 👉 Managing complex cases and vicarious trauma 👉🏿 Supporting LGBTIQA+ young people 👉🏾 Self-disclosure when you are neurodiverse and part of the queer commu…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Marie Vakakis Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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