On Thursday 16th May, I presented to a group of peer-workers and other clinicians at The Alfred, Melbourne. The conversation and subsequent discussion was focused on what it means to have authenticity and what implications that has for our work in mental health services. The talk focused on an idea from Charles Guignon that in … Continue reading Authenticity in mental health services
Tag: Psychotherapy
No more ideas, thank you
A friend recently told me that she stopped listening to podcasts from a number of self-help gurus because she was fed up of 'being told what I should do'. As someone who reads, listens to podcasts and consumes information from a range of people, I can appreciate the value of a good idea. However, perhaps like my friend, I’m often overwhelmed by … Continue reading No more ideas, thank you
Systemic Practice in Inpatient Psychiatry
Working with ideas from systemic psychotherapy can be challenging in medicalised contexts where the emphasis is on 'illnesses' which are said to exist within an individual. Such systems can often obscure the power dynamics which impact on an individuals experience of distress. During my work in an inpatient psychiatry service I was able to consider … Continue reading Systemic Practice in Inpatient Psychiatry
Cut the crap: working towards authenticity in mental health services
Yesterday I was due to present at The Alfred in Melbourne about how we can work authentically in mental health services. Storms and strong winds meant that my flight was cancelled so the talk is postponed until 2019. Preparing for this talk I considerd the work of Charles Guignon whose thesis is that we can … Continue reading Cut the crap: working towards authenticity in mental health services
AAFT Conference Sydney 11/12th October
My application to present at the Australian Association of Family Therapy (AAFT) Conference has been accepted. I will be presenting on Thursday 11th October from 2.15-3.00pm on 'Community psychology and everyday psychological practice'. Below is the abstract for my presentation: Reliance on the medical-model of 'mental illness' typically hides social adversity that is often at … Continue reading AAFT Conference Sydney 11/12th October