Emerging Minds Podcast
Emerging Minds
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Welcome to the Emerging Minds podcasts. Listen to conversations with experts on a variety of topics related to children's social and emotional wellbeing.
Our episodes offer insightful evidence-informed wisdom from experts in the field and will give you a flavour of the work and values of the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health.
Stay tuned for new episodes released every fortnight.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
Jan 10, 2021
Re-release – Substance use and child-aware practice – part 2
What are the types of factors that underpin substance use in families and how can practitioners support parents to make changes that will improve outcomes for themselves and for their children? Suzie Hudson, Sarah Watson, Melissa Shee, Lisa Hofman and Sally Field generously share their valuable insights about why practitioners should ask their clients about their children; how practitioners of drug and alcohol and generalist services are in a unique position to be able to support parents with substance use issues to improve outcomes for children, a
Dec 27, 2020
Re-release – Substance use and child-aware practice – part 1
Have you always wanted to adopt a child-focused approach when working with parents with substance use issues but perhaps you have been a bit unsure as to what this might actually look like in practice? In this podcast we will hear from four practitioners who will talk us through how children are impacted by their parent’s substance use, how practitioners can open up supportive conversations with parents about their children, how asking about children is helpful in harnessing motivation for clients to make positive changes and the impacts of stigma and shame, particularly for mothers seeking treatment for substance use.
Featuring: Sally Riley, Suzie Hudson, Melissa Shee, Sarah Watson, and Lisa Hofman.
In this episode you will learn:
* The effects of parental substance use on children (00:43)
* Why is it important to help parents notice these effects? (04:28)
* Are children a motivating factor in parents’ recovery? (08:59)
* Is stigma an obstacle for mothers who have substances? (11:34)
Further information and resource:
* E-learning: Parental substance use and child-aware practice, principles and practices
https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/parental-substance-use-and-child-aware-practice-principles-and-practices/
* E-learning: The impact of parental substance use on the child- foundation
https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child-foundation/
Dec 16, 2020
Reflecting on 2020
What might children be experiencing this Christmas, in light of the unique and challenging year that 2020 has been? In this episode, three of our team members share their perspectives on how the events of 2020 might affect children and families this holiday season, and offer suggestions for ways families can support each other during this time.
Tune in to hear from Emerging Minds’ director, Brad Morgan, as well as two of our Child Mental Health Consultants, Angela Scuderi in Melbourne and Ania Mazurkiewicz in Sydney.
In this episode you will learn:
* many of us may be feeling mixed emotions and it’s okay to feel anxious and worried [05:17]
* how maintaining routines can create a sense of safety for children [06:38]
* developing a plan for the holidays and including children in the planning can be helpful [14:30]
* why nurturing relationships and connections is especially important this year [19:12]
* 2020 may have taught us to slow down and value simplicity [21:22]
Further information and resources:
Resources for parents:
Covid-19 resource summaryhttps://emergingminds.com.au/resources/covid-19-resource-summary/
Managing routines for children during the Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/managing-routines-for-children-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Resources for practitioners:
The long-term effec
Dec 5, 2020
2009 Victorian Bushfires: Supporting recovery
In this episode, April Harrison reflects on her experience of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires and the impacts they had on her and her community. April, who was 8 at the time of the fires, shares how her school and the community played a big role in supporting her recovery.
April and host Natalie Rutstein also discuss the potential impacts of natural disasters on children’s mental health; the powerful role that schools and educators can play in helping communities heal; and the importance of including young people in bushfire recovery efforts.
Some people may find the stories in this podcast distressing. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please call Life
Nov 21, 2020
Supporting children through understanding regulation - part 2
What is regulation and why is it important to children’s social and emotional wellbeing? This episode is part two of a conversation with Ben Rogers, an occupational therapist and Manager of Community Trauma at Emerging Minds. Ben has worked across educational and developmental services in the UK and Australia and as part of his current role, works with Be You’s Bushfire Response Program to support learning communities following the 2019/2020 bushfires in Australia.
This episode delves further into the concept of coregulation; and how a regulation perspective helps to make sense of children’s emotions and behaviour as adaptive responses to what is happening in their environment.
In this episode you will learn:
* how a regulation framework helps practitioners to understand children’s behaviour [02:45]
* how to support children to develop self-regulation [08:03]
* the importance of experiencing co-regulation in order to develop self-regulation [12
Nov 7, 2020
Supporting children through understanding regulation - part 1
What is regulation and why is it important to children’s social and emotional wellbeing? This episode we’re joined by Ben Rogers, an occupational therapist and Manager of Community Trauma at Emerging Minds. Ben has worked across educational, clinical and developmental settings in the UK and Australia. As part of his current role, Ben works with Be You’s Bushfire Response Program to support learning communities following the 2019/2020 bushfires in Australia.
This conversation ran for longer than usual, so we have split it into two parts. In part one, Ben shares his understanding of what regulation is, why practitioners might want to know about it, and what children need to develop healthy regulation.
In this episode you will learn:
* what regulation is [02:31]
* body-based approaches to support regulation [09:49]
* body-mapp
Oct 27, 2020
Biopsychosocial formulation and the key phases of a child mental health assessment
This episode is part of our upcoming e-learning course*,** *A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment.
What are the key phases of a child mental health assessment in general practice? Dr Andrew Leech joins the Emerging Minds podcast to discuss these phases and the principal role that biopsychosocial formulation plays in conducting a child mental health assessment.
Andrew is a GP based in Perth, Western Australia, and has a passion for paediatric general practice as well as the role that GPs can play in positively influencing a child’s life trajectory. He has a diploma in child health and holds advisory roles at the RACGP and Emerging Minds.
In this episode, Andrew summarises the four key phases of a child mental health assessment that are articulated in the e-Learning course, ‘A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment (5-12 years)’, and explains the important role that a biopsychosocial approach to formulation plays in supporting the child and family.
In this episode you will learn:
* key phases of a child mental health assessment [1
Oct 25, 2020
Taking a team approach to managing children’s mental health in general practice
This episode is part of our upcoming e-learning course*,** *A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment.
How can GPs use a team-based approach to support children’s mental health? Dr Matthew Ruhl joins us this episode to discuss what collaboration and a team approach look like in the management of children’s mental health. Matt is a GP from Queensland who has a special interest in mental health, addiction, and sexual health. Since August 2019 he has been the acting clinical lead for Kobi House, a sexual health clinic in Toowoomba.
In this episode, Matt shares his insights around collaborating with the other people in a child’s life, including the family, school, and other health professionals, as part of a team-based approach to managing children’s mental health.
In this episode you will learn:
* The GP’s role in management of a child following a child mental health assessment [1:09]
* Who are the key team
Oct 20, 2020
Transferable skills and the role of GPs in child mental health assessment
This episode is part of our upcoming e-learning course*,** *A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment.
What is the role of the GP in child mental health assessment? This episode features Prof. Geoff Mitchell, a highly experienced GP from the Ipswich area of Queensland. Geoff recently retired from the University of Queensland where he is Emeritus Professor of General Practice and Palliative Care. His main research interest is the role of the general practitioner in complex conditions.
Tune into this episode to hear Geoff discuss the role of GPs in child mental health assessment, including the reason GPs can sometimes feel like an imposter in this space, and the key transferrable skills that they can take into this work.
In this episode you will learn:
* Why GPs can feel like imposters in the child mental health space [01:13]
* The role of a GP in a child mental health assessment [02:40]
* Why GPs can
Oct 18, 2020
Key skills in engaging children during a child mental health assessment
This episode is part of our upcoming e-learning course*,** *A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment.
What is unique about engaging children in the general practice environment? Dr Aaron Chambers joins us to share his wisdom on how to effectively engage with children when conducting a child mental health assessment. Aaron is a Brisbane-based GP who has a passion for family practice and strengthening the role of general practice in local community.
In this episode, Aaron discusses what it means to ‘walk with the family over time’ and the key skills involved in engaging children as part of a child mental health assessment.
In this episode you will learn:
* what it means to ‘walk with the family over time’ [01:11]
* why engagement is so important when supporting children with their mental health [06:03]
* how to take
Oct 3, 2020
Responding to the challenge of child sexual abuse
Why is it so difficult for children to disclose sexual abuse and how can we make it easier? This episode we're joined by Carol Ronken, Director of Research at Bravehearts. Carol draws on her 17 years of experience working in the field to answer this question, as well as share other insights on the issue of child sexual abuse. As well as overseeing research at Bravehearts, Carol is a Visiting Fellow in the School of Justice, Faculty of Law, at Queensland University of Technology and sits on a number of working groups including the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation Research Working Group, the Twitter Trust and Safety Council (Australia), and the Australian Child Rights Taskforce. In this conversation, we explore the topic from multiple angles including the definition of child sexual abuse, what prevention and early intervention looks like, and how adults can get better at recognising signs and indicators. In this episode you will learn:…
Sep 19, 2020
Tuning in to Kids and the value of emotionally connecting with children
What happens when we welcome children’s emotions rather than minimising or dismissing them? This episode explores the benefits of an emotion-focused approach to parenting with associate professor and clinical psychologist, Sophie Havighurst. Sophie has spent her career developing, implementing, and evaluating the program, Tuning in to Kids, which was designed to teach parents how to support their children's emotional development. Sophie discovered the impact that an emotionally disconnected childhood can have while working in mental health and forensic settings early in her clinical career. This discovery set her on a course of wanting to change the way parents respond to children’s emotions and the development of the suite of Tuning in to Kids programs. In this episode, we discuss why connecting with children’s emotions is so important for their development, along with some of the fundamental principles taught in Tuning in to Kids. In this episo…
Sep 4, 2020
Supporting dads in their role as fathers
What are Australian dads looking to learn about fatherhood? In this episode, we talk to Dominic Alford, coordinator of the ‘Support for Fathers’ project. Dom has a background in social work, with extensive experience working in the child protection and foster care systems. The ‘Support for Fathers’ project was funded as part of the Federal Government’s prevention response to the issue of family violence. It aims to create more opportunities for men to learn about fatherhood and find ways of increasing their engagement with support services. Dom talks about what he’s learned from travelling the country talking to fathers, and shares practical ways in which services and practitioners can make fathers feel more included. In this episode you will learn:
* How dads view their role (06:00)
* Why fathers have historically felt excluded in service delivery (10:30)
* The value of getting fathers to share their stories (15:02)
* Fathers’ unique influence on their children…
Aug 22, 2020
Supporting children and families through telehealth
How do you engage children when working with them remotely via video? In this episode, Tayla Iellamo, an occupational therapist who works for Royal Far West, shares her experience of delivering telehealth services to children in rural and remote areas. Tayla has worked as an OT for five years and has been delivering telehealth services through the Windmill and Telecare programs at Royal Far West for the past year. She has a passion for working with children and families in remote areas and finds telehealth a valuable and dynamic approach to delivering therapy. Tayla shares her experience of what helps families prepare for a telehealth service, what to consider when engaging children through a video platform, and troubleshooting tips and tricks for when things don’t go as planned. In this episode you will learn:
* What a family can expect from the first telehealth session (07:15)
* Helping families become comfortable with technology (10:38)
* Keeping the child’s context in m…
Aug 7, 2020
The role of speech pathology in child mental health
How do speech pathologists support children who have experienced trauma? In this episode we’re joined by two speech pathologists based in Victoria, Kerry Holland and Chantele Edlington. Both have worked extensively in the public mental health system and share a passion for addressing the speech, language, and communication needs of children who’ve experienced trauma. Kerry currently works in private practice, while Chantele is a Senior Speech Pathologist in the Early in Life Mental Health Program at Monash Health. Tune in to learn about the interconnection between speech and language development and children’s mental health; how speech and language development is impacted by trauma; and ways to better support children’s speech, language, and communication needs. In this episode you will learn:
* What is the relationship between attachment and a child’s speech, language, and communication development? [07:55]
* How does the experience of trauma affect…
Jul 24, 2020
Autism, neurodiversity, and child-centred practice - part 2
How do we best support Autistic children to navigate a largely non-Autistic world? In part two of this interview with Dr Erin Bulluss, we explore child-centred practice and Erin shares her wisdom around how to support Autistic children to feel confident in their identity and develop skills for thriving in the world. We also
Jul 10, 2020
Autism, neurodiversity, and child-centred practice - part 1
What can we learn about Autism from an Autistic psychologist? In this two-part interview, Dr Erin Bulluss shares about how her lived experience influences the way she works and views Autism as well as suggestions for how to work with Autistic children in a way that is child-centred. Erin has a PhD and postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology. She practices as a clinician as well as offering mentoring to Autistic people of all ages. She sits on the board of Reframe Autism and is a strong advocate of a neurodiversity paradigm of Autism.
In this episode, we explore what Autism is, including exploring the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the DSM. She also explains why there can be such variation in the way Autistic people present, and the reasons that Autism in girls can get missed.
Learning outcomes:
* What is Autism? *(**05:53)*
* Seeing difference rather than deficit *(**08:44)*
* Why there is variation in the way Autism pre…
Jun 25, 2020
Rural children's voices - episode 8
South Australia’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly, shares advice on engagement, how we can better listen to this age group and insights on what it is like for rural children and young people during time of adversities, such as drought. In this episode, Helen Connolly, South Australia’s first Commissioner for Children and Young People,
Jun 25, 2020
Focus on the positive future - episode 7
Focus on the positive future for you, your children and your community. It is important to remind yourself and your children that this drought will pass. Doing fun activities together or even making a list of things that you are all looking forward to will help in keeping a more positive future in focus.
In this episode, three rural parents share their experiences on how they focus on a positive future to support them<s
Jun 25, 2020
Give your child the opportunity to make decisions - episode 6
Give your child the opportunity to make decisions and have their voice heard. Drought is notable for the sense of powerlessness it creates, which is why giving children choices and asking for their opinions, can help them feel more empowered and positive.
In this episode, two rural parents share their experiences in how they support their children to make decisions and have their voices heard. Clinical psychologists John Dean and Andrea Baldwin provide their practice wisdom for parents and caregivers on why it’s important to support a child on their own decision-making, and some practical strategies on supporting a child to achieve this. *
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Some of the stories in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know require assistance, please call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636
Jun 25, 2020
Support your child's social connections - episode 5
Support your child's social connections with family, friends, school and hobbies. Children need positive time spent with family, friends and doing activities that they enjoy. Most of all, they need time to be kids, which includes regular routines at home and with school.
In this episode, four rural parents share their experiences on how they support their child's social connections with family, friends, school and communities during tough times,
Jun 25, 2020
Be on the lookout for changes in your child's behaviour - episode 4
Be on the lookout for changes in your child's behaviour as this can indicate that they need support. At times of stress, children can respond in different ways. While most have a natural resilience, a minority of children will find the impacts of drought more difficult to deal with. If you are concerned about your child, it may be helpful to link them in with additional support.
In this episode, three rural parents share their experiences on how they have been on the lookout for mood changes in their children during tough times, such as drought. Clinical psychologists, John Dean and Andrea Baldwin, provide their practice wisdom with some tips for parents and caregivers on practical strategies
Jun 25, 2020
Keep an open conversation - episode 3
Keep an open conversation so they can come to you any time. Let your children know that you are available to talk with them when needed. Encouraging children to talk about their feelings will help them understand their experiences. Sometimes children don’t have the words to describe their feelings, however you can reassure them that their feelings are normal and that they will come and go.
In this episode, three rural parents share their experiences on how they have encouraged their children to talk about their feelings during tough times, such as drought. In addition, John Dean and Andrea Baldwin, two clinical psychologists, provide their practice wisdom with some tips for parents and caregivers in how they can support open conversations during and after these difficult times.
Some of the stories in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know require assistance, please call
Jun 25, 2020
Try looking at things through your child's eyes - episode 2
Try looking at things through your child's eyes and see things from their perspective. If possible, try to imagine the drought from your child's point of view. This may help you to understand some of their reactions and behaviours. It may also assist connecting and supporting them.
In this episode, two rural parents share their experiences on how they look at things from their children’s perspective and what they are seeing, hearing, and feeling during tough times, such as drought. In addition, clinical psychologists John Dean and Andrea Baldwin provide their practice wisdom on how parents and caregivers can help their children by understanding their reactions and behaviours during and after these difficult times.
Some of the stories in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know require assistance, please call
Jun 25, 2020
Try to look after yourself - episode 1
Try to look after yourself so you can look after your children. Parents play a vital role for children in times of drought. Your capacity to cope during drought impacts your children's response to stress and their wellbeing during and after the event. Self-care is vital, so it is important that you seek out any help you need so you are better able to support your kids.
In this episode, three rural parents share their experiences on how they look after themselves during tough times such as drought. Clinical psychologists John Dean and Andrea Baldwin provide their practice wisdom gained over many years in how parents and caregivers can establish self-care routines and the importance in doing this during and after these difficult times.
Some of the stories in this podcast may be distressing to some people. If you or someone you know require assistance, please call LifeLine on
Jun 19, 2020
Substance use and child-aware practice - part 2
What are the types of factors that underpin substance use in families and how can practitioners support parents to make changes that will improve outcomes for themselves and for their children? Suzie Hudson, Sarah Watson, Melissa Shee, Lisa Hofman and Sally Field generously share their valuable insights about why practitioners should ask their clients about their children; how practitioners of drug and alcohol and generalist services are in a unique position to be able to support parents with substance use issues to improve outcomes for children
Jun 19, 2020
Substance use and child-aware practice - part 1
Have you always wanted to adopt a child-focused approach when working with parents with substance use issues but perhaps you have been a bit unsure as to what this might actually look like in practice? In this podcast we will hear from four practitioners who will talk us through how children are impacted by their parent’s substance use, how practitioners can open up supportive conversations with parents about their children, how asking about children is helpful in harnessing motivation for clients to make positive changes and the impacts of stigma and shame, particularly for mothers seeking treatment for substance use.
Featuring: Sally Riley, Suzie Hudson, Melissa Shee, Sarah Watson, and Lisa Hofman.
In this episode you will learn:
* The effects of parental substance use on children (00:43)
* Why is it important to help parents notice these effects? (04:28)
* Are children a motivating factor in parents’ recovery? (08:59)
* Is stigma an obstacle for mothers who have s…
Jun 6, 2020
Positive post-separation parenting
How can parents separate or divorce in a way that supports their children? After discovering that there was no research on this question, Dr. Priscilla Dunk-West conducted a study to find out for herself. Priscilla is a social worker and sociologist and currently teaches at the Flinders University of South Australia. Join us for an exploration of her findings and discussion of the key elements that support positive parenting after divorce or separation.
In this episode you will learn:
* Why there is a dearth of information on positive separation and divorce (00:52)
* The importance of being able to see the world from the child’s perspective (
May 25, 2020
A story from Community
In this episode, Clyde and Rose reflect on their personal and communities’ experiences of contact with mainstream services and practitioners, including some that have been helpful, and some that have not. They share examples of organisations and practitioners that have created relationships with Firsts Nations families and communities, and the skills and knowledge that is needed to engage with rural and remote communities. In this episode you will learn:
* The implication
May 24, 2020
Culturally informed trauma-integrated healing practice - part 2
Many Firsts Nations families are creative, energetic, and embodied within their cultural heritage while involved in the systems, structures and opportunities of contemporary Australia. Some families however continue to be held in the pervasive wounding from trauma that has become generational. To fully understand those lives and circumstances, it is necessary to understand and accept the impacts of trauma across generations, without judgement, but with clear insight and intention to use your skills and capacities for healing
*In this episode you will learn:*
* Defining Culturally informed trauma-integrated healing Practice (02:01)
* Understanding a child’s world is an important step for non-Aboriginal practitioners in this work (09:48)
* An understanding that it takes time to establish safe and connected relationships with Firsts Nations children who experience the effects of generational trauma (21:58)
* The behaviour of First Nations children is language. The impor…
May 24, 2020
Culturally informed trauma-integrated healing practice - part 1
In this episode, Judy and Caroline share information, concepts, practical skills and suggestions that can support mainstream professionals working with First Nations children, young people and their families/communities. Through storytelling, they share the healing practice’s that have supported Firsts Nations families for thousands of years, and how these practices are now backed by research in frameworks that assist practitioners to support children experiencing trauma.
*In this episode you will learn:*
* Relationships and trust are the foundation to any (07:48)
* An understanding of the generational history of Firsts Nations families and the effects of generational trauma (15:02)
* The creative use of arts in story and play as an effective tool in working with Firsts Nations children and their families (35:50)
* Understanding the effect childhood trauma has on children’s behaviour and responses (30:58)
Further information and resources:
https://earlytraumagr…
May 23, 2020
A story of resilience
The assimilation policy in Australia’s history has left deep scars, the intergenerational trauma felt by Firsts Nations people of the stolen generation is well documented, with lasting implications, including family violence, substance abuse, and the over representation of children in out-of-home care. What is not recognised in these statistics, are the stories of resilience and healing<
May 23, 2020
A story of two-way learning and healing
Nancy Jeffrey is a proud Woolwonga women from the Northern Territory who works for the Healing Foundation as a Portfolio lead in Darwin. Nancy’s role within the healing foundation is to work with community and organisations to co-design what healing looks like for their community and implement strategies that support healing from a bottom up approach. One of the key messages Nancy talks about includes the importance of understanding diversity in Firsts Nations communities. Nancy also provides examples for practitioners of how two-way learning has supported practitioners in their engagements and support to First Nations children and families.
*In this episode you will learn:*
* The diverse experiences of Firsts Nations Peoples (5.00)
* Understanding the ongoing experience of grief and loss faced by Firsts Nations communities (08:00)
* The strength and resilience within communities (17:00)
* Practices that support two-way learning and healing (22:36)
May 9, 2020
Family violence and child-aware practice - part 2
Tune in to hear experienced family violence practitioners and other leaders in the field discuss some of the possible entry points into conversations about children’s wellbeing with mothers experiencing family violence and fathers who are using violence. They’ll also address themes of safety, complexity, and organisational support. This episode is the second in a two-part series on family and domestic violence and child-aware practice.
Featuring: Aerinn Morgan, Joanne Allen and Philip Martin from Uniting Communities Specialised Family Violence Service, Sarah Wendt - Professor of Social Work at Flinders University, and Megan Hughes from Women’s Safety Services SA.
In this episode you will learn:
* The importance of generalist practitioners having the skills and confidence to work with parents who are living with family violence.
* Listening for cues that can open up conversations with mothers who may be experiencing coercion, threats, put-downs, control, and fear of violen…
May 8, 2020
Family violence and child-aware practice - part 1
This episode is the first in a two-part series on family and domestic violence and child-aware practice. Tune in to hear experienced family violence practitioners and other leaders in the field discuss the impact of family and domestic violence on children and the mother-child relationship, and some of the practice dilemmas that accompany conversations with mothers about their children’s wellbeing in a context of family violence, and some ways of having conversations with mothers that respond to these dilemmas.
Featuring: Aerinn Morgan, Joanne Allen and Philip Martin from Uniting Communities Specialised Family Violence Service, Sarah Wendt - Professor of Social Work at Flinders University, and Megan Hughes from Women’s Safety Services SA.
In this episode you will learn:
* Recognising the climate of fear is vital to understanding the impact of family and domestic violence on children.
* An understanding the potential impacts of family and domestic violence on children an…
Apr 26, 2020
Reflections on culturally competent practice with Nellie Anderson
How do you work in a respectful and useful way with people whose cultural background is different to your own? In this episode, Chris Dolman interviews Nellie Anderson from the Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service (STTARS) in South Australia. Nellie has worked extensively with children and adults from a refugee background who have experienced torture and trauma prior to their arrival to Australia. She reflects on what she has learned about culturally competent practice including her own learnings as well as what is supportive at an organisation level.
In this episode you will learn:
* What’s most important when meeting with a family from a different cultural background for the first time (01:17)
* The value of respecting local knowledge in culturally competent practice (10:57
* How to approach practice when you know little about the family’s culture (18:19)
* What's important in engaging children from different cultural backgrounds (2…
Apr 20, 2020
Bonus episode: Children's mental health during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
How might children’s social and emotional wellbeing be affected by the changes brought about in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? In this bonus episode, Brad Morgan, Director of Emerging Minds, discusses some challenges that might be coming up for families at this time as they navigate spending more time at home together. Tune in to this discussion to hear about what infants, toddlers, and children are needing from their parents right now and some suggestions on how parents can have child-centred conversations about coronavirus
Apr 12, 2020
Reflections on culturally competent practice with Mthobeli Ngcanga
What can culturally competent practice look like when working with children and families from migrant and refugee communities? Tune into this episode to hear Mthobeli Ngcanga, a counselling team leader at Survivors of Torture and Trauma and Rehabilitation Services (STTARS) in South Australia, reflect on practices of engagement with children and their parents as well as what's important to consider at the organisational level to support culturally competent practice.
In this episode you will learn:
* Building on parents’ own culturally-informed wisdom (09:33)
* How important is it to understand something about the client’s culture? (17:33)
* Suggestions for practitioners working with children and families from migrant and refugee communities (20:54)
*
Mar 28, 2020
Inclusive practice with rainbow families
What does the evolving nature of sexual and gender identities mean for working with families? Tune into this episode with Dr. Priscilla Dunk-West to explore this question and learn about shifts you can make in your practice and organisation to become more inclusive of rainbow families.
Priscilla is a sociologist and social worker and has worked in academia in both Australia and England. She practiced social work firstly in child protection and later went on to specialise in sexual health counselling. Her research interests include identity, sexuality, intimate relationships and parenting. She has produced five books and her bestselling text 'How to be a Social Worker: A Critical Guide for Students' has been translated into Swedish and is now in its second edition.
In this episode you will learn:
* The social and cultural context of sexuality (02:47)
* Asking questions to understand family configuration rather than making assumptions (07:43)
* What child-focused and parent-…
Mar 15, 2020
Co-discovering hope with children facing hardships
How do you create a sense of hope for children and families who are in the midst great hardship? Social worker and child and family therapist, Angel Yuen, has spent much of her career in Toronto, Canada, working alongside children, young people, and adults who have been subjected to abuse, violence, and oppression. She has taught narrative ideas in several countries for over a decade and is the author of various papers as well as the book 'Pathways beyond despair: re-authoring lives of young people through narrative therapy'.
In this episode, we discuss her particular interest in working with children to co-discover and seek out hopeful and effective ways of responding to trauma and hardship.
In this episode you will learn:
* Identifying children’s skills about how they get through tough times (05:20)
* Creating a context of hope with families (10:07)
* Paying attention to children's language (14:32)
* Working in a way that supports children’s agency (18:27)
Mar 2, 2020
Child-aware practice in families where there is violence
What principles and practices keep children's needs at the centre when working with families where there is violence? In this episode, Prof Sarah Wendt interviews Dr Carmela Bastian, both from Flinders University, about child-centred practice in situations of family and domestic violence. Carmela draws on her twenty plus years of experience as a practitioner and academic in the fields of child protection and human services to illuminate approaches that can help to navigate this complex space.
In this episode you will learn:
* Learning 1: Bringing conversations back to the impact on the child (03:34)
* Learning 2: How to create safe spaces for children to talk (07:25)
* Learning 3: Assessing parent-child relationship quality (13:00)
* Learning 4: How to discuss safety without instilling a sense of blame (15:40)
* Learning 5: Barriers to practicing in a child-centred way (28:54)
Further information and resources:
The Impact of FDV on the Child: An Introducti…
Feb 16, 2020
The mental health of refugee children in Australia
How are children from refugee backgrounds faring in terms of their social and emotional wellbeing? Tune into this conversation with Dr. Sonia Terhaag to find out what the Building a New Life in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants can tell us about this. Sonia has worked in research for more than ten years in Canada and Australia and currently works on various national longitudinal research studies at the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
In this episode you will learn:
* What the BNLA study can tell us about social and emotional wellbeing in refugee children (6:07)
* Experience of trauma in refugee families (07:56)
* Impact of parent experiences on children’s mental health (10:11)
* Implications of study findings for practitioners (17:00)
Further information and resources:
* Building a New Life in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants
https://aifs.gov.au/projects/building-new-life-australia
* Adjustment of…
Feb 2, 2020
A polyvagal approach to working with trauma
What can the body's signals tell us about how to respond to trauma? In this conversation with psychologist, Chris Cussen, we draw on polyvagal theory to understand how the nervous system is affected by trauma and what is supportive when working with children who have abuse-related trauma histories. Chris draws on her many years of experience working with the Australian Childhood Foundation to give a rich description of how a neurobiological perspective informs her practice.
*In this episode you will learn:*
* How to explain polyvagal concepts to a child (05:28)
* What the body needs to move through a mobilsed state (08:54)
* The importance of facial expressions and tone of voice for social engagement (11:49)
* Practices to support a child in a mobilised state (20:43)
Further information and resources:
* Australian Childhood Foundation Discussion Paper 18: Polyvagal Theory and its implications for traumatised students: https://professionals.childhood.org.au/…
Jan 16, 2020
Re-release - The ongoing psychosocial needs of children following a community trauma
This is a re-released episode from our Community Trauma Toolkit podcast series.
In this episode we talk to Michelle Roberts, a psychologist and expert in the areas of child and adolescent trauma, loss and grief, and children's disaster recovery. She has decades of experience as an educator and psychologist supporting school communities, and discusses with us the ongoing psychosocial needs of children following a disaster or community trauma and how schools and families can work together to help prioritise and support children's needs.
In this episode you will learn:
* Why it is important to consider the needs of children after a disaster (00:43)
* How children experience trauma differently to adults (2:14)
* The main impacts of disaster on children (03:58)
* The impacts of trauma on parenting and how to support parents (07:46)
Further information and resources:
Trauma sensitive behaviour management
How educators can support children in the short term following a disast…
Jan 1, 2020
Re-release - Communities in the immediate aftermath of a trauma
This is a re-released episode from our Community Trauma Toolkit podcast series.
In this episode, we talk to Kate Brady, a Churchill Fellow and National Recovery Advisor at Australian Red Cross, about what happens in a community during and after a traumatic event. She discusses the difference between natural disasters and community traumas, what communities might experience, and how families, communities, and first responders can all respond to and support children in their recovery.
In this episode you will learn:
* What characterises a community trauma (01:05)
* What families and communities might experience (11:18)
* How to support families and children in affected communities (15:30)
Further information and resources:
A guide for first responders: supporting children immediately following a disaster
Community Trauma Toolkit
Dec 18, 2019
Re-release - Disaster preparedness, myths and programs that hold promise
This is a re-released episode from our Community Trauma Toolkit podcast series.
In this episode we talk to Dr. Briony Towers, a research fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University, about the benefits of involving children in disaster preparedness, as well as some of the myths and misconceptions that children hold about disasters and bushfires in particular.
In this episode you will learn:
* The importance of bushfire planning (2:20)
* The survive and thrive program for primary schools (10:39)
* Children's involvement in their own preparedness (18:27)
Further information and resources:
How Educators can prepare their students for a natural disaster
How parents and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster
Community Trauma Toolkit
Dec 5, 2019
Therapeutic residential care: The example of Jo's
How do you create a family environment for young people in residential out-of-home care? Service Manager, Paula May, talks us through her experience of setting up and managing a therapeutic youth residential care program in South Australia called 'Jo's'. She explains how the program was designed, drawing heavily on recommendations from the report of the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission in SA, and how it works to support young people to shift from trauma to transformation.
In this episode you will learn about:
* Creating a sense of family in residential care (05:14)
* Using a self-organising approach to support the youth work team (09:40)
* The importance of staff being able to engage in normal parental responses (12:38)
* Five stages of the therapeutic framework (20:34)
*
Further information and resources:
Jo's Therapeutic Youth Residential Care (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qppfc4ZdeVo&feature=youtu.be
Nov 22, 2019
Working with trans and gender diverse children
What is it like to work in one of the country's main services providing care to trans and gender diverse children and adolescents?
Paediatrician, Dr Michelle Telfer, is the Head of Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne and Director of the RCH Gender Service. In addition to improving medical and mental health services for the transgender population, Michelle played a major role in successfully advocating for legal reform, with transgender young people now able to access hormone and surgical treatment without the need for approval by the Family Court of Australia.
Michelle shares her experience leading the Gender Service at the RCH, why she loves the work, and how practitioners can best support trans and gender diverse children and their families.
In this episode you will learn:
* How numbers of children seeking help are changing and why this might be (4:40)
* How the Gender Service at RCH works (7:01)
* The importance…
Nov 11, 2019
Children and technology: Screen use
What can be done to protect children's health in an environment where digital devices are everywhere? In this episode, host Sophie Guy talks with Dr Anthea Rhodes, a paediatrician and expert on the health impacts of digital technology from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. The conversation covers a range of issues including the challenges families are facing in managing the impacts of technology, the effects of screen use on children's health and development, and how to work with families to address problems with the amount of screen time for children.
In this episode you will learn:
* Challenges that technology presents in families (02:08)
* Impact of screen use on sleep (06:48)
* Impact of screen use on language development (09:11)
* How to work with families to address problems related to screen use (16:12)
* Key messages for practitioners around children and screen use (28:46)
Further information and resources:
* RCH National Child Health Poll on S…
Oct 28, 2019
Mentalisation and parent-child therapy
Mentalising is the act of trying to think about what's happening in people's minds in order to make sense of their actions. In this episode, host Dom Kleinig talks to Perth-based psychologist, Dr Matthew Ruggiero about mentalising and mentalisation-based therapy (MBT). Dom and Matt talk about the skill of mentalising; its importance in human relationships; and how its development can strengthen parent-child relationships in situations where they are under strain.
Dr Matt Ruggiero is a Counselling Psychologist in Perth, Australia. He runs MBT for individuals and groups at Lifespan Psychology Centre, with a focus on treating both adolescents with emerging personality disorder and parents/children engaging with Child Protection services. He is lead consultant for the implementation of MBT as a model of practice at the Perth Children’s Hospital Mental Health Inpatient unit as well as teaching and conducting research into developmental psychology at Curtin University.
In this episode…
Oct 15, 2019
Gambling harm
What are the impacts of gambling and how does it affect parents and children's mental health? Host Dan Moss speaks with Monya Murch, a psychotherapist who works for the Gambling Help Service at Relationships Australia in Adelaide. Monya has specialist training in addiction, trauma-informed practice, and perinatal mental health, which she brings to her work in supporting families affected by gambling. In this episode we explore how to build trust and use a strengths-based perspective when working with parents facing this issue, and ways to support parenting to further improve outcomes for children.
In this episode you will learn:
* A definition of gambling harm (02:04)
* What leads people to engage in problematic gambling (04:08)
* Role of stigma and shame in working with parents who gamble (12:55)
* What child-focused, parent-sensitive practice looks like in gambling services (15:28)
Sep 30, 2019
Parental substance use and child-focused practice
In this episode, host Sophie Guy sits down with Gill Munro, social worker and workforce development officer at Emerging Minds to discuss child-focused practice in the AOD (alcohol and other drugs) sector. Before joining Emerging Minds, Gill managed a large specialist drug and alcohol service in South Australia. She draws on this experience as well as her recent involvement in developing a suite of e-learning resources, describing the importance of understanding trauma and how stigma and shame can prevent parents from engaging in services.
In this episode you will learn:
* How using a trauma-informed approach is important for responding helpfully to challenging behaviour (03:00)
* What child-focused practice looks like in the AOD sector (07:48)
* The challenge of strengthening parent-child relationships when shame and stigma are present (13:16)
* What policy changes could increase child-focused practice to support child mental health (25:29)
* Promising practice in the A…
Sep 23, 2019
Child-focused practice in adult-focused services
In today’s episode, Emerging Minds' Workforce Development Manager, Dan Moss speaks with the Executive General Manager of Policy and Programs at Relationships Australia South Australia, Jonathon Main. They discuss some of the implementation drivers at RASA that promote child-focused practice in services which mainly work with adults. Jonathon shares his insights on how screening, assessment, practice policy, recruitment and supervision all have a role to play in ensuring that children’s social and emotional wellbeing is at the forefront of all adult-focused service delivery.
Jonathon has over 30 years’ experience in the provision of services to children and families with complex needs. He has held both clinical and management roles in the health, welfare and non-government sectors. The major focus of his work has been in provision of services that promote the healthy development of children, young people and families, and in community engagement programs that promote social i…
Sep 9, 2019
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
In this episode, host Sophie Guy speaks with Dr Sara McLean about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Dr Sara McLean is a registered psychologist and researcher. She has conducted extensive work to identify the role and impact of developmental differences and FASD in children in out-of-home care.
In this episode you will learn:
* Prevalence of FASD and the reason for its increase in recent years (06:10)
* How is FASD diagnosed? (12:28)
* What does effective therapeutic intervention look like for children with FASD? (18:33)
* What is helpful for practitioners to know about working with children with FASD? (25:46)
Further information and resources:
* What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/what-is-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd
* Understanding the impacts of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on child mental health
* How to support children living with FASD
* How to support caregivers and…
Aug 26, 2019
Unravelling intergenerational trauma
In this episode, we talk with Dr Jackie Amos about her doctoral research into intergenerational patterns of relational trauma and how distressing parent-child relationships can be healed. Jackie is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Gestalt psychotherapist. She is currently working with the family preservation and reunification team at Centacare to train and support staff in an intensive therapeutic approach that supports the mother and child individually as well as their relationship.
In this episode you will learn:
- The role of fear and shame in relational trauma (04:54)
- Using evolutionary theory to understand child maltreatment (10:22)
- Hedonic mode and its importance for healing intergenerational trauma (17:00)
- Is relational trauma at the root of common emotional and behavioural problems? (24:23)
Further information and resources:
Supporting children’s mental health after trauma webinar
Aug 12, 2019
What are adverse childhood experiences?
In this episode, we talk with Nicola Palfrey about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); what they are and how they can be of use to practitioners who work with children and families. Nicola is a clinical psychologist and researcher who has worked extensively with children, adolescents and adults who have experienced significant adversity and trauma. She is responsible for leading the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health's approach to trauma, grief and loss along with its impacts on child mental health.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why could it be useful for a practitioner to know about ACEs? (04:33)
- How to have sensitive conversations about ACEs (08:40)
- Settings where ACEs screening is most beneficial (11:30)
- How ACEs fit with other explanatory frameworks (19:26)
Further information and resources:
Felitti and Anda's original article on the ACE study
An introduction to the Biopsychosocial Model
Jul 29, 2019
Engaging fathers who use violence
In this episode, we talk with David Tully about engaging men who use violence and its role in supporting children's social and emotional wellbeing. David has worked in the area of domestic violence and childhood sexual assault for over 20 years and is currently Practice Manager for the Specialised Family Violence Services at Relationships Australia SA.
In this episode you will learn:
- The role of support services for men who use violence (07:54)
- The importance of engaging fathers for child social and emotional wellbeing (04:25)
- How to keep the needs of children visible in work with men who use violence (14:54)
- Can men who use violence change? (26:13)
Further information and resources
The Impact of FDV on the Child: An Introduction e-learning course
Jul 22, 2019
Six key practice positions for engaging families
In this episode, Dan Moss introduces us to six practice positions that can help practitioners to build positive working relationships with parents and create a foundation of safety to explore child social and emotional wellbeing. Dan worked as a practitioner and manager at Uniting Communities for more than 15 years and is currently the Workforce Development Manager at Emerging Minds.
In this episode you will learn:
* Child aware and parent sensitive practice as a foundation for supporting wellbeing (06:39)
* Importance of exploring the child’s ecology (8:49)
* How busy practitioners can use the practice positions (12:46)
* What helps practitioners feel confident discussing child social and emotional wellbeing (16:55)
Further information and resources:
* _C_hildren of Parents with a Mental Illness_ _
* Six Practice Positions
* Engaging Parents - an Introduction
* Supporting Children's Resilience in General Practice
Jul 9, 2019
Creating culturally authentic services for Aboriginal families
In this episode, we talk with Ruth Tulloch about her experience in creating culturally authentic services for Aboriginal families and children. Ruth has worked in the community services and teaching sectors for 20 years. During the last five years, she has been involved in delivering the Aboriginal Community Connect program at Uniting Communities, working alongside elders and community members to co-design services that take a holistic approach to social and emotional wellbeing for Aboriginal families and communities.
Key learnings:
- The importance of asking questions about cultural connection (05:18)
- Developing an authentic cultural supervision model (08:28)
- Including Aboriginal cultural models in services (13:00)
- How to ask culturally sensitive questions (16:24)
Further information and resources:
Smart Recovery
Motivational interviewing
Jun 25, 2019
Supporting child mental health in general practice
In this episode, we speak with Dr Sara Whitburn about the role of GPs in promoting children's resilience and mental health. Sara is a GP and lactation consultant in private practice in Melbourne who has a strong interest in women's and children’s health and the early years of parenting. We discuss the unique opportunity that GPs have to support child mental health and ways of bringing the conversation into the consulting room.
Key learnings:
- Using the continuity of general practice to support children and families (02:39)
- Resources for GPs and families to support child social and emotional wellbeing (04:57)
- Questions to open up a conversation about family functioning and child mental health (09:15)
- Overcoming the barriers in general practice to support child mental health (14:30)
Further information and resources:
* Supporting Children's Resilience in General Practice e-learning course
* Raising Children Network
* Australian Breastfeeding Association
*…
Jun 11, 2019
What is infant and child mental health?
In this episode, we speak with Dr Nick Kowalenko, a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Sydney. Nick has been practicing as a psychiatrist for more than 25 years and is President of the Tresillian Family Care Services Council as well as Deputy Chair of Emerging Minds. We talk infant and child mental health; what it looks like when things are going well and when things are not going so well; and the importance of the early years.
In this episode you will learn:
* What is infant mental health? (06:10)
* What places infant’s mental health at risk? (11:59)
* How to start conversations about child mental health with parents who are facing adversity (18:08)
* What specialist mental health services are available to infants and children? (24:49)
Further information and resources:
Let's Talk About Children
Zero to Three website
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health
Early Childhood Australia
Raising Children Network
Queensland Centre for Perinatal…
May 29, 2019
Effective engagement of Aboriginal families in mainstream services
In this episode, we speak to Bill Wilson about what effective engagement of Aboriginal families and children looks like in non-Aboriginal services. Bill is a narratively-trained social and emotional wellbeing worker who has worked extensively in the fields of alcohol and drugs, child protection, child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), Aboriginal education, and Aboriginal men’s health. He is a strong advocate for the strength of Aboriginal people and communities and the opportunity for them to be the change agents in their own lives.
In this episode you will learn:
-What does holistic engagement of Aboriginal families look like? (02:58)
- How to build rapport at the first engagement 04:13)
- How service flexibility can increase engagement (08:16)
-Therapeutic approaches that are effective with Aboriginal communities (16:30)
Further information and resources:
Aboriginal mainstream service experience – where are we now? How data has shaped our response
Ngarri…
May 13, 2019
The power of play
In this episode, we speak with Sarah Seekamp about the importance of play for child social and emotional wellbeing. Sarah is an occupational therapist and has spent much of her career working in primary health care settings. Her work has had a strong focus on supporting parents to play with their children in ways that encourage healthy growth and development.
In this episode you will learn:
* Why child-led play is necessary for healthy development (03:04)
* How parents can support child-led play (05:49)
* How practitioners can use play to support parent-child relationships (12:57)
* Why parents can find it hard to let children lead (17:32)
Further information and resources:
Practice paper: Parent-child play: A mental health promotion strategy for all children
Apr 29, 2019
Emerging Minds podcast introduction
Welcome to the Emerging Minds podcast series. Your host Sophie Guy speaks to a wide range of practitioners - from GPs to social workers to psychiatrists - on a variety of topics related to children’s mental health.
We’ll look at the issue of family violence and what it’s like to work with men who use violence; the story of how one organisation has successfully created a culturally authentic service for Aboriginal community; and a psychiatrist's journey to understand intergenerational transmission of trauma and how parent-child relationships can be healed.
Other episodes explore adverse childhood experiences; the role of GPs in supporting child social and emotional wellbeing; and the power of play for strengthening parent-child relationships.
Join us to gain practical wisdom and to learn more about what we can all do to support children’s mental health.
Apr 8, 2019
How can a national workforce approach support children’s social and emotional wellbeing?
In this episode, we sit down with the Director of the National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, Brad Morgan, to discuss why supporting the mental health of children under 12 years is so important. Brad is trained as an occupational therapist and brings with him a wealth of wisdom and experience, having previously led the Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) initiative. Tune in to learn why the mental health of children often flies under the radar and the approach that the National Workforce Centre is taking to support practitioners and other professionals to strengthen children's mental health.
In this episode you will learn:
- The role of emotions in good mental health and child development (06:42)
- What is known about children's mental health in Australia? (09:41)
- Why children as a group miss out on services (15:25)
- The National Workforce Centre's approach to supporting children’s mental health (19:39)
Mar 25, 2019
Communities in the immediate aftermath of a trauma
In this episode, we talk to Kate Brady, a Churchill Fellow and National Recovery Advisor at Australian Red Cross, about what happens in a community during and after a traumatic event. She discusses the difference between natural disasters and community traumas, what communities might experience, and how families, communities, and first responders can all respond to and support children in their recovery.
In this episode you will learn:
* What characterises a community trauma (01:05)
* What families and communities might experience (11:18)
* How to support families and children in affected communities (15:30)
Further information and resources:
A guide for first responders: supporting children immediately following a disaster
Community Trauma Toolkit
Mar 25, 2019
Disaster preparedness, myths and programs that hold promise
In this episode we talk to Dr. Briony Towers, a research fellow in the Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University, about the benefits of involving children in disaster preparedness, as well as some of the myths and misconceptions that children hold about disasters and bushfires in particular.
In this episode you will learn:
* The survive and thrive program for primary schools (10:39)
* Children's involvement in their own preparedness (18:27)
Further information and resources:
How Educators can prepare their students for a natural disaster
How parents and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster
Community Trauma Toolkit
Mar 25, 2019
The ongoing psychosocial needs of children following a community trauma
In this episode we talk to Michelle Roberts, a psychologist and expert in the areas of child and adolescent trauma, loss and grief, and children's disaster recovery. She has decades of experience as an educator and psychologist supporting school communities, and discusses with us the ongoing psychosocial needs of children following a disaster or community trauma and how schools and families can work together to help prioritise and support children's needs.
In this episode you will learn:
* why it is important to consider the needs of children after a disaster (00:43)
* how children experience trauma differently to adults (2:14)
* the main impacts of disaster on children (03:58)
* the impacts of trauma on parenting and how to support parents (07:46)
Further information and resources:
Trauma sensitive behaviour management
How educators can support children in the short term following a disaster or community trauma
Community Trauma Toolkit