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On Crying, Professionalism, and Holding Space
Some of my most meaningful and powerfully therapeutic sessions have involved clients and me sobbing together. It’s always struck me as odd that “professionalism” is so often interpreted as locking away your feelings and never showing strong emotion. If that were true, we may as well hand the work over to AI, because it’s better
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What do I wear to work?
You’ve spent the last 5+ years as a uni student. Your clothing probably consists of the usual student getup – jeans, tshirts, trackpants, hoodies, maybe a few nicer clothes for going out if you can afford it. If you’re like me, your fashion choices often involves PJs and ugg-boots! Now, all of a sudden, you’re
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How do I know when to disclose?
In my last post, I encouraged readers to give up on the idea of ‘never’ disclosing things about themselves, highlighting that simply existing and interacting with other people inevitably leads to disclosure. Now, let’s consider the sort of self-disclosure many of us immediately think about – telling clients things about ourselves. Therapy is often a
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Is self-disclosure ever ok?
A common series of questions I come across from people early in career goes something like, ‘should I ever self-disclose? Is it ok? Is it professional? Is it ethical?’ The question often comes up as though there is one true answer, with people wanting to know in black-and-white terms what is and isn’t ok. The
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Listening to lived experience is an ethical imperative
Running a support group for many years for early career psycholologists, I know that as a profession, we are diverse, although not nearly diverse enough! I know psychologists with backgrounds that include: And more! A frequent worry I have encountered from colleagues who have lived experience or come from marginalized groups is feeling like a
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When a friend or loved one has embraced conspiracy
Linda has kept in contact with several friends from her rural childhood in the 1970s, through all the usual things that change in groups of friends as they grow up. She’s remained friends through partners coming and going, international moves and career changes. Lately though, some of her warm old friendships have changed. She says
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Nature exposure
A couple of years ago, I presented at the International Mental Health Conference about self-care in the midst of uncertainty. We were all stuck indoors at the time, with rolling lock downs all over the country. Like many people, I found myself desperately missing all of the ways I would usually engage in self-care, especially
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Pay and conditions for provisional psychologists
Provisional psychologists are not permitted to work independently, which means they are not able to be contractors or set up their own practice – they must be employees to comply with the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia. This is outlined in the 4+2 and 5+1 guidelines. The position title does not need to
Ceara Rickard, Psychologist 