Emerging Minds Podcast: Recent Episodes
Emerging Minds
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.
In this episode, we speak with occupational therapist Sarah Seekamp about the importance of play for children’s mental health and their social, emotional and physical development. Sarah shares practice insights into how to partner with children and parents to support play.
This podcast is a little bit different. In this episode, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and practitioners share their reflections on what supports strong social and emotional wellbeing for children and families. Through stories, insights and practice wisdom, they explore the healing and protective factors that strengthen connection, resilience and wellbeing within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
In this episode, we’re joined by Becca Allchin, an occupational therapist and clinical researcher. Becca shares her experience in engaging with children and families to gather their perspectives on programs. She outlines the important role of relationships and creating safety when incorporating children’s voices into processes and practice.
How can practitioners support the communication needs of children who have experienced complex trauma? In this episode, speech pathologist Kate Headley shares a range of neurodivergent-affirming strategies and examples from her work supporting children in out-of-home care.
Paediatricians are trusted entry points for families seeking mental health support – but they require the right skills, structures and supports to do this work. In this episode, Dr Victoria Carter and Dr Anagha Jayakar explore how to champion infant mental health through targeted workforce development for junior paediatricians.
Early relationships underpin infant mental health and lifelong wellbeing – but not all practitioners in the Australian mental health workforce feel confident in supporting infant mental health. In this episode, we’re joined by Vicky Gilroy, Director of Innovation and Research at the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV). She speaks about how iHV’s Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Champions Programme has helped support workforce development and system transformation to support children’s mental health.
In this episode, we’re joined by Amber Brock-Fabel and Dr Ben Lohmeyer, the authors of a recent study about young people’s experiences of loneliness and its connection to bullying. They discuss the implications of the study’s results for young people’s wellbeing, the importance of creating safe spaces for young people and what practitioners and families can do to best support them.
This two-part series focuses on a recent Australian study about loneliness and its relationship with young people’s experiences of bullying and undesirable social connections. In the first episode, we’re joined by youth advocate Amber Brock-Fabel and academic Dr Ben Lohmeyer, who co-designed the study with young people. They share findings from the study that redefine loneliness as being created by social dynamics within school environments, rather than stemming from isolation. Amber and Ben also discuss the process of co-designing the study; the increased incidence of loneliness for young people in Australia; and the connections between bullying, social systems and experiences of loneliness.
When adults are supported to pause, tune in and respond to an infant’s cues, they can build the strong relationships that underpin lifelong mental health and wellbeing. In this episode, Professor Andrew Whitehouse explores ways to foster connection and understanding between infants with developmental differences and their caregivers.
In this episode from the Emerging Minds Families podcast, Dr Billy Garvey (author, podcaster and developmental paediatrician) explores emotion regulation, how children build resilience and the role parents play in creating safe and supportive environments for children.
In this episode, Emerging Minds’ Phil Robinson (Founder and Chair) and Brad Morgan (Director) reflect on how our understanding of and approach to children’s mental health has changed over the past 30 years. They explore how these insights can guide us towards even greater outcomes in the years to come.
In the second episode of this two-part series, Lisa Hillan, a non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social worker, talks about her experience in working with and alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
In recognition of Perinatal Mental Health Week, Amy Mathews joins us to share wisdom gained from her lived experience of perinatal mental health struggles and her subsequent work as a peer support worker. Amy discusses how social pressure and expectations impact the transition to parenting. She also talks about what practitioners can do to support parents and perinatal mental health during this time of rapid change.
In the first episode of this two-part series, Grant Sarra, a Goreng Goreng man from Queensland, joins us to share an Aboriginal perspective on what organisational allyship looks like for individuals, teams and broader organisations.
In this episode, practitioners, researchers, parents and young people explore strategies and shifts to better support infant, child and adolescent mental health in Australia. They discuss the need for better collaboration between professionals and more integrated services; for improving mental health literacy among community members; and for shifting away from using diagnostic thresholds to determine who can access mental health support.
To mark the 200th episode of the Emerging Minds podcast, we wanted to look to the future of infant and child mental health in Australia. Practitioners, researchers, parents and young people discuss the key concerns and priorities for supporting infants’ and children’s mental health, common misconceptions about mental health and wellbeing, and systemic barriers to improving outcomes for children and families.
In this episode from our Emerging Minds Families podcast, Kirsty (Schools Coordinator, Shine SA) discusses ways to equip children with the knowledge and skills to make informed and empowered decisions about their bodies and relationships. Kirsty shares how parents can start these conversations with their children, how adults can effectively model consent, and how these conversations support children’s wellbeing.
In this podcast episode, Professor Daryl Higgins shares his research insights on child-safe organisational strategies and public health approaches to protecting children. Daryl was involved in the 2023 Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), which showed how disturbingly common it is for children in Australia to experience abuse and neglect. Daryl shares the findings from this study and its implications for prevention and early intervention policies and practices with children and young people.
In the second episode of this two-part series, Dr Carmela Bastian talks with child protection specialists Dr Amy Bromley, Arabella Stravolemos and Chloe Henderson about their approaches to child-centred practice. The conversation explores descriptions of practice that genuinely prioritise children’s safety, emotional needs, wellbeing, voice and rights.
In the first episode of this two-part series, Dr Carmela Bastian talks with child protection specialists Dr Amy Bromley, Arabella Stravolemos and Chloe Henderson about their approaches to child-centred practice. The conversation explores descriptions of practice that genuinely prioritise children’s safety, emotional needs, wellbeing, voice and rights.
In this episode, Dana Shen speaks with Jem Stone, a practitioner with Wayapa Wuurrk, the first internationally accredited Indigenous wellness program. Wayapa Wuurrk combines earth mindfulness, narrative meditation, physical movement storytelling and earth reciprocity to create a holistic wellbeing program for children in education settings. Jem takes listeners on a unique journey of collective wellbeing, encouraging practitioners to connect themselves to nature.
In this episode, therapist Sophie McEvoy discusses her work with children who have experienced sexual abuse. Sophie describes her practice in helping children to use their own words, communication preferences and meaning-making to describe the trauma events in their lives in ways that are supportive and hopeful. She also shares her experiences in working with non-offending parents to support their children’s recovery.
Parental incarceration can have a significant impact on children’s mental health and wellbeing. In this episode, senior mental health counsellor Linh Nguyen shares how she supports incarcerated fathers to overcome barriers and build strong, lasting relationships with their children.
In the second episode of this two-part series, neonatologist Dr Natalie Duffy explores the key themes expressed by infants and parents with lived experience of being hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This episode considers how this window into the infants’ world can guide practitioners to engage in ways that are lifesaving and nurturing of both physical and mental health development.
In the first episode of this two-part podcast, neonatologist Dr Natalie Duffy provides insight into the impacts of hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on infants and parents. Natalie shares how she observed, listened to and was guided by the voices of infants in her research into the lived experience of those in NICU.
In this episode, we speak with family counsellor Carolyn Markey about her work gathering and documenting children’s knowledge, and how this knowledge can then be shared with others, particularly fathers.
In this episode, we are joined by Zaccariah Cox, the Manager for Social and Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), and Erica Spry, Senior Aboriginal Research Officer at KAMS and a research fellow at the University of Western Australia. Erica and Zac share what they heard when speaking with expecting and new fathers in rural and remote Western Australia, who often feel overlooked in their journey of fatherhood.
In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Damien Riggs, a professor in psychology at Flinders University and a psychotherapist who specialises in working with transgender young people. In this conversation, Damien talks about gender-affirming practice. He shares how practitioners in general health and social services can use their skills to work with children and young people in gender-affirming ways that support their mental health and wellbeing. He also explores how practitioners can seek learning opportunities to increase their knowledge and confidence in working with gender diverse children and young people.
In this episode, we’re joined by Arianne, a parent of six children between the ages of 8 and 22. Arianne is a strong advocate for her transgender child and the wider transgender community. In this conversation, Arianne shares her family’s experience of supporting their daughter through coming out and transitioning, navigating services, and what practitioners can do to provide gender-affirming support in their practice.
In this podcast episode, we hear from Dr Lyn O’Grady, a community psychologist, and David Newman, a narrative therapist and social worker, as they share their insights on recognising and responding to self-harming behaviour with children.
In this episode, narrative therapist and social worker David Newman shares his approach to working with children and young people who are experiencing suicidal ideation. Through the lens of narrative therapy, David discusses how he negotiates conversations about distress, despair and suicide.
In the second part of this two-episode series, we continue our conversation with Lyndsay Healy, Dr Rickie Elliot and Dr Louise Wightman about collaboration with families and clear communication between professions to promote children’s mental health in the early years.
In the first part of this two-episode series, Lyndsay Healy, Dr Rickie Elliot and Dr Louise Wightman join us to explore how collaboration with families and clear communication between professions promotes children’s mental health in the early years.
In this episode, practitioners and parents of autistic and ADHDer children explore ways to build children’s self-regulation and advocacy skills, foster acceptance of their neurodivergent identity, and uncover the ‘why’ behind their behaviour.
In this episode, practitioners and parents of autistic and ADHDer children explore the concept of ‘neurodivergent-affirming practice’: what it means to them, how it shows up in their work, and how it supports both children’s and parents’ mental health and wellbeing.
All children deserve to have safe environments where they can thrive. But when a child’s trust is broken and their environment no longer feels safe, this it can have significant ramifications for the child’s life and development. In this podcast episode we talk with Dan Moss, who has a long history of working in support services with children who have experienced trauma. Dan helps us understand what relational trauma is and how it can affect the mental health and wellbeing of the children in our lives.
In this episode, Miranda Bain describes her involvement in developing the Victorian Charter of Rights for parents with intellectual disability. Miranda is a special advisor to the Office of the CEO for Courts Victoria and the Chair of the Disability Advisory Committee. She discusses her journey in working with child protection, non-government organisations and parents with intellectual disability to develop the charter of rights, which is now implemented within courts in Victoria.
In this episode, Alisa Hall describes her work as Director, Practice Development and Engagement at the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. The National Centre was established in recognition of data showing that one in three girls and one in five boys experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. Alisa’s work focuses on prevention and education campaigns to protect Australia’s children while helping children, young people and adults to recover from the effects of sexual abuse.
In this episode, we’re joined by Melanie Renwick. As a child, Melanie lived in several residential and foster care placements. She shares her experience of living in care and discusses some of the things that practitioners can do to support the mental health of children in out-of-home care.
In this first of two episodes, we speak with Joanne Donne, a practice manager with Relationships Australia South Australia, about the single session consultation service they offer to children and their families.
In this episode, host of the Emerging Minds Families podcast Alicia Ranford talks with Dr Zali Yager, an internationally recognised expert on body image, with a background in health and physical education. Dr Yager co-founded the Embrace Collective with 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Bromfield. Dr Yager shares how families, educators and practitioners can help create safer body image environments for children and young people.
In this episode, psychologist and author Alan Jenkins describes his practice theory for working with fathers who use violence, coercion or threats towards partners and children. Alan’s two books, Invitations to responsibility (1990) and Becoming ethical: Parallel political journeys with men who have abused (2009) are seminal texts for practitioners in behaviour change programs. Alan has been influential in advocating for fair and ethical practice when working with men and fathers who have acted in unfair or unsafe ways.
In this episode, psychologist and author Alan Jenkins describes his practice theory for working with fathers who use violence, coercion or threats towards partners and children. Alan’s two books, Invitations to responsibility (1990) and Becoming ethical: Parallel political journeys with men who have abused (2009) are seminal texts for practitioners in behaviour change programs. Alan has been influential in advocating for fair and ethical practice when working with men and fathers who have acted in unfair or unsafe ways.
This episode is the second in a two-part series discussing culturally responsive practice and key considerations for working with culturally diverse families. In this episode, parents and practitioners discuss considerations and responses when navigating family tensions that arise from differing ideas about priorities.
This episode is part one of a two-part series discussing culturally responsive practice and key considerations for working with culturally diverse families. We hear from parents and practitioners about responding to experiences of racism and navigating practitioners’ cultural mistakes. Keep an eye out for part two which focuses on navigating intergenerational cultural tensions.
In this episode, host of the Emerging Minds Families podcast Alicia Ranford talks with Emerging Minds Director, Brad Morgan, and Emerging Minds Manager, Digital Health, Ben Rogers. They take an in-depth look at children’s mental health, including a new suite of resources aimed at supporting parents’ understanding of this important topic.
In this episode, we’re joined by three guests: Margaret Dempsey (registered nurse), Dr Shereena Sinnayah (general practitioner) and Jacinta Goldenberg (practice nurse). They share their experience of responding to child mental health concerns with families in the primary health care sector and the considerations for practitioners, from systems level to daily practice.
In this episode, Miranda Bain describes her involvement in developing the Victorian Charter of Rights for parents with intellectual disability. Miranda is a special advisor to the Office of the CEO for Courts Victoria and the Chair of the Disability Advisory Committee. She discusses her journey in working with child protection, non-government organisations and parents with intellectual disability to develop the charter of rights, which is now implemented within courts in Victoria.
In this compelling podcast episode, join us as we explore the vital importance of including Aboriginal youth voices in mental health discussions. Through the heartfelt narratives of Kahli Regan and Tannielle McHugh, two inspiring young Aboriginal voices, you’ll gain profound insights into the challenges faced by Aboriginal communities and the transformative power of cultural connection. Discover the significance of fostering genuine relationships, acknowledging intergenerational trauma, and amplifying the resilience, creativity and self-determination inherent in Aboriginal youth. Journey with us towards a future where practitioners, communities and individuals all actively contribute to the holistic wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
In this episode, our host Alicia Ranford welcomes back Emi and their son, Elliot, to talk about the unique connection of single parent families.
In the second episode of this two-part series, Mark Hoppe and Roger Currie from Family Support Newcastle continue to share their practice wisdom of working with dads in the early years of parenting.
In this episode, Professor Helen Milroy guides us through the transformative power of Indigenous storytelling and the profound impact it can have on mental health and wellbeing. Drawing on her extensive experience and rich cultural background, Prof. Milroy discusses the ancient knowledge system of Aboriginal culture, emphasising the importance of intertwining it with modern science for the benefit of all. Her wisdom echoes throughout the episode, inviting us to embrace the strengths-based approach, cultural understanding, and a united journey towards the wellbeing of all children in Australia, intertwining Indigenous and Western knowledge for a brighter future.
In this two-part series, Mark Hoppe and Roger Currie from Family Support Newcastle share their practice wisdom of working with dads in the early years of parenting.
This episode is the second in our two-part series on supporting the mental health of children who stutter. We are again joined by Rich Stephens, President of the Stuttering Association for the Young Australia (SAY:Australia), and Mitchell, who has been involved with SAY:Australia for the past four years, first as a participant and now as a mentor to other children and young people who stutter. In this episode, Rich and Mitchell talk about some of the unhelpful things that people can say or do around those with a stutter and how these things can impact their mental health and wellbeing. They discuss what the current therapy options are and their experiences with them, what advice they would give to practitioners, and what support SAY:Australia provides to children, particularly in terms of their mental health and wellbeing.
In the second episode of this series, Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, Belle Selkirk and Dr Joanna Alexi delve into the essence of decolonising psychology. The conversation explores hopes for a robust Indigenous psychology workforce and culturally safe mental health spaces; a future where diverse programs cater to universal wellbeing, fostering deep respect. Gain insights into the inspiring efforts reshaping psychology with Indigenous knowledge.
In part one of this series, Professor Pat Dudgeon AM, Belle Selkirk and Dr Joanna Alexi, key figures from the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research program, share their journey in decolonising psychology. With a focus on the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP), they discuss the historical challenges faced by Indigenous people and their persistent efforts to integrate Indigenous world knowledge into the curriculum. Through personal experiences and project milestones, this episode explores the transformative impact of AIPEP: how it’s shaping the future of psychology education in Australia and beyond.
This episode is part one of our two-part series on supporting the mental health of children who stutter. We are joined by Rich Stephens, President of the Stuttering Association for the Young Australia (SAY:Australia), and Mitchell, who has been involved with SAY:Australia for the past four years, first as a participant and now as a mentor to other children and young people who stutter. In this episode, Rich and Mitchell talk about the activities of SAY:Australia, how common stuttering is and what it can look like, along with the impacts that having a stutter can have on children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode, practitioners and parents share ideas and practices for supporting parents to understand and respond to their child’s experience of separation.
This episode explores what is meant by collaboration and a team-based approach to the management of children’s mental health in general practice.
In this episode, Nancy Jeffrey reflects on her own lived experience and wisdom, gained through many years working in and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families and children in metro, rural and remote communities throughout Australia.
This episode comes from the Emerging Minds Families podcast. Host Alicia Ranford talks with Dan Moss, who has a long history of working in support services with children who have experienced trauma. Dan helps us understand what relational trauma is and how it can affect the mental health and wellbeing of the children in our lives.
This episode is part one of a four-part series developed in partnership with and led by the University of Western Australia’s Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing research program and the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention. In this conversation, Zaccariah Cox and Emma Carlin from Kimberley Aboriginal Medial Services share profound insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). They discuss historical, political and cultural determinants impacting these communities, emphasising the transformative power of the SEWB framework in practical settings. The conversation highlights the importance of relationships, a strengths-based approach, and integrating Aboriginal leadership into healthcare services for meaningful change.
In this episode, our guests Michael Hogan (ARACY – Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth), Sally Staton (Queensland Brain Institute) and Vanya (lived experience advisor) describe the contributions that neuroscience can make to practice with children and families. They discuss how common understandings about children’s brain development can be applied to every aspect of a child’s life, and how this can support the work of mental health professionals.
In this episode, we explore ideas and practices for supporting parents to be child-focused in their approach to post-separation parenting.
In this episode, we’re joined by Natalie Papps, Alice Morgan and Sally Groom, creators of ‘One of a Kind’: a storybook for children who are in foster or kinship care due to their parent (or parents) experiencing mental illness. Natalie, Alice and Sally discuss the process of collaborating on the book with services as well as parents and young people with lived experience of parental mental illness and out-of-home care. They highlight some of the challenges children in care face, including being unaware of why they are in care, and how ‘One of a Kind’ supports practitioners and carers to open up these essential conversations.
One of the most effective ways to support children’s wellbeing during parental separation is to support their parents. In this episode, we talk with practitioners and parents about the importance of supporting parents’ wellbeing during relationship separation, and some ways to do this.
In this episode, cultural consultants Dana Shen and Shirley Young explore practices that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants and families’ wellbeing during the first 2,000 days.
In this episode, practitioners from various backgrounds discuss the impact of racism on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children's mental health. They explore concepts such as white privilege, white fragility and decolonising practice, emphasising the need for cultural awareness, humility and active steps to address racism. The practitioners highlight the importance of recognising and challenging biases, promoting equity, and engaging in open conversations to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for children and families.
In this episode, we’re joined by Jackie Amos, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Centacare Catholic Family Services. Jackie shares her wealth of experience in using parallel parent child narrative (PPCN) with children and parents. PPCN is an approach that can be used by practitioners in many different settings to support the parent-child relationship. In this conversation, Jackie explains what PPCN is, its key principles, and the benefits it has for children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this second episode of our two-part series, our guests from The Bouverie Centre – Hanna Jewell, Banu Maloney, Julia Oxley, Nicholas Barrington and Angie Nyland – share supervision strategies that focus on the wellbeing of children. They discuss how supervision can help practitioners to find motivation, avoid judgement, and improve their contextual understandings of the families they’re work with.
In this episode, our guests from The Bouverie Centre – Hanna Jewell, Banu Maloney, Julia Oxley, Nicholas Barrington and Angie Nyland – share supervision strategies that focus on the wellbeing of children. They describe their reflective practice with practitioners and how supervision can improve practitioners’ skill and confidence in supporting children.
This episode comes from the Emerging Minds Families podcast. Host Alicia Ranford talks with Flick, a mother of four about how she learnt to parent when she wasn’t parented well herself.
In this episode, Dr Melinda Goodyear and Claire Marsh discuss the results of the Emerging Minds National Workforce Survey of Parent, Family and Child Mental Health 2020–21. They discuss the growing commitment among professionals to support child and family mental health, and the themes and challenges that stood out to them among survey responses. In particular, they explore the ways that organisations can help practitioners to support the mental health and wellbeing of infants in their work with parents and families.
In this episode, we’re joined by Kerryn Roberts, coordinator of infant massage at Relationships Australia South Australia (RASA). Kerryn shares her knowledge and experience in delivering cue-based infant massage to families in various settings. She explains the value of cue-based infant massage for infant mental health and the emphasis this program places on relationship development, encouraging parents to follow the infants’ lead. She also explores the importance of working alongside the parent-infant relationship and how this contrasts to intervening in the relationship.
In episode two of this two-part series, Dana Shen, Mel Lambert and Yasmin Sinclair share practical tips to support effective co-design with lived experience families.
In episode one of this two-part series, Dana Shen, Mel Lambert and Yasmin Sinclair share what establishing the Department of Human Services’ Lived Experience Network has taught them about co-design.
In this episode, psychologist Lauren Keegan explores how genograms provide a structure for collaborative and relational assessment conversations with parents. Lauren discusses how the development of a genogram provides a visual map of a family’s generational relationships, and how genograms can be useful in infant mental health assessments.
In this episode, Belynda Smith shares her considerable experience in practicing deep, unhurried and supportive listening with parents, and how this process helps to build safe, healing and reflective environments.Belynda Smith is a parenting facilitator at Meerilinga Young Children's Foundation in Western Australia, as well as a certified Hand in Hand parenting instructor. Belynda has listened to many thousands of parents in her work at Meerilinga, helping them to provide their children with rich, safe and supported experiences. Belynda is committed to creating time and space for parents to consider their relationships with their children, their preferences, challenges and stories of success. It is through this reflective process that parents begin to understand more about their relationship with their children, growing their confidence and allowing them to move beyond challenges.
In this episode, we talk with Nikki Taranis, a social worker and therapeutic specialist, about working with children and caregivers to explore children’s relationship with video gaming.
In part two of this two-part series on bullying, we’re joined again by Jessica Staniland, clinical psychologist and Director of Counselling and Psychological Services at Trinity Grammar School, who shares some of the key considerations for supporting the mental health of children who engage in bullying behaviour. She discusses how practitioners can work through children’s protests and support them to engage in conversation. Jessica talks about the importance of recognising children’s preferences and values, and how practitioners can help children to draw these out.
In part one of this two-part series on bullying, we’re joined by Jessica Staniland, clinical psychologist and Director of Counselling and Psychological Services at Trinity Grammar School, who shares some key considerations for supporting the mental health of children who experience bullying behaviour. She discusses how practitioners can open up conversations with children to explore their experiences of bullying sensitively. Jessica talks about the importance of moving away from self-blame and how practitioners can support children to do this.
The period from pregnancy to the infant’s first birthday brings major life changes for parents, as they navigate the emotional and practical tasks of parenting. In this episode, Emerging Minds Child and Family Partners, Sarah and Claudius share an honest account of navigating the first year of parenting. They discuss the parenting joys and hopes they discovered and the challenges they faced in the first twelve months of parenting their son.
In this episode, we speak with two social work students, Rachael and Megan about their career aspirations and discoveries about infant mental health. Rachael and Megan (who have since graduated) reflect on their placement experiences and how peer learning has increased their knowledge and confidence in working with infants and families.
For the past five years, Emerging Minds has worked in partnership with Flinders University’s Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) to develop a range of resources for health and social services workers. This includes a series of practice papers which support child-focused practices where children and families face disadvantage, trauma or adversity. In episode two of this two-part series, Professor Sarah Wendt and the SWIRLS team describe child-focused approaches to working with children and families affected by family violence and trauma. They describe the specialist knowledge about trauma that all practitioners should hold, so they can help children and families to maintain safety and wellbeing.
For the past five years, Emerging Minds has worked in partnership with Flinders University’s Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) to develop a range of resources for health and social services workers. This includes a series of practice papers which support child-focused practices where children and families face disadvantage, trauma or adversity. In episode one of this two-part series, you will hear from Professor Sarah Wendt, Director of SWIRLS, and her team including Dr Kate Seymour, Kirsty Lowe and Nicola Trenorden. They describe their structural approach to child-focused practice and how they work to support emerging practitioners to engage with families facing complex problems.
In this re-release episode, Dr Priscilla Dunk-West joins the series again to discuss what separation and divorce look like when it goes well for children.
This re-release episode provides an insight into what culturally competent practice with children and families looks like from the perspective of Mthobeli Ncganga, a practitioner who works with families from migrant and refugee communities with experiences of torture and trauma.
Lou Turner is a proud Anangu father with Pitjantjatjara connections to Docker River and Mutitjulu communities. In this episode, Lou shares his journey of ‘walking in two worlds’, and the hopes and challenges he faces as an Aboriginal father in contemporary Australia. He provides insights into his experience as a descendant of the Stolen Generation and shares the hopes that he has for his children and community. This conversation will help to develop your understandings of and ability to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers in your work.
Evidence is emerging that neurodivergent children are at an increased risk of higher weight than neurotypical children (Kahathuduwa et al., 2019; Zheng et al., 2017). Factors associated with Autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can have a significant impact on a neurodivergent child’s relationship with food. These factors include food preferences and aversions related to sensory processing, executive functioning differences, and behaviours developed through rules-based thinking. Experiences of healthcare and disability services that are not neurodiversity-affirming can also exacerbate or contribute to disordered eating.
In this episode, Bec Edser speaks with child and family partner Annie Crowe, a proud Autistic ADHD-er with over two decades of lived experience of an eating disorder. Annie’s eating disorder developed in childhood and led to a range of experiences in accessing services related to her weight. Annie is a strong advocate for body diversity and neurodivergent inclusion and is the founder of the not-for-profit Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia.
In this conversation, Annie generously shares her lived experience perspectives as well as some of the insights she has gained from the significant advocacy work she has undertaken in this space. She considers how her experiences and expertise can inform helpful approaches to supporting children who experience co-occurring neurodivergence and higher weight.
As experiences of an eating disorder are discussed in this podcast episode, please be aware of your own emotional safety while you listen. If at any point you find that you are struggling, please talk with a friend, colleague or your supervisor or seek help from your GP or trusted health professional. You can also call the Butterfly Foundation’s national helpline on 1800 334 673, chat with a trained counsellor online or email support@butterfly.org.au.
In this episode you will learn: * what practitioners can be more aware of when working with neurodivergent children with sensory-based preferences and aversions that impact their relationships with food and mealtimes [05:16] * the importance of language relating to food and body image when communicating with neurodivergent children [10:34] * how practitioners can support neurodivergent children who are impacted by weight stigma and bullying in relation to their weight [21:08] * how neurodiversity-affirming healthcare and body positivity can support children with co-occurring neurodivergence and higher weight to thrive [43:00]
Further information and resources: * Supporting the mental health of children with higher weight online course * Understanding childhood bullying and mental health online course * Practice strategies for assessment and engagement online course * Higher weight and mental health and wellbeing in childhood practice paper
The Looking Back 2020 project invited six young people (aged 20–27) with lived experience of adversity to share an inspiring story about their childhood. The result is a series of powerful short videos, conceived by each young person and produced with the help of artistic mentors and filmmakers.
Largely taking place online during the Melbourne lockdown in 2020, the process was co-facilitated by artists Sylvie Meltzer and Melinda Hetzel for Artist Made Productions and Emerging Minds. It followed on from the first Looking Back project in 2019, which invited four young people to share what they wish practitioners had known or understood about their experiences of childhood adversity.
The Looking Back videos were created for children and young people who may be experiencing struggles or worries in their lives. They’re designed to be shared by health professionals who work with families and children. These stories aim to give ideas, inspiration and hope to children and young people experiencing adversity.
In part two of this series, four of the six young participants discuss the process of developing the Looking Back videos and what they hope they will achieve. In part one, artists Melinda Hetzel and Sylvie Meltzer reflect on what it was like to facilitate the creative process.
In this episode you will learn: * how the young people managed both the creative process and the challenges of sharing their own personal story [11:07] * what it was like for the young people co-creating a video with professional film makers [19:52] * what the young people would now want to tell their inner child about their experiences [22:22] * the young people’s hopes for the children watching these videos [23:18]
Further information and resources: Young people and adversity: The Looking Back project - part two (podcast)
Looking Back series (videos)
The Looking Back 2020 project invited six young people (aged 20–27) with lived experience of adversity to share an inspiring story about their childhood. The result is a series of powerful short videos, conceived by each young person and produced with the help of artistic mentors and filmmakers.
Largely taking place online during the Melbourne lockdown in 2020, the process was co-facilitated by artists Sylvie Meltzer and Melinda Hetzel for Artist Made Productions and Emerging Minds. It followed on from the first Looking Back project in 2019, which invited four young people to share what they wish practitioners had known or understood about their experiences of childhood adversity.
The Looking Back videos were created for children and young people who may be experiencing struggles or worries in their lives. They’re designed to be shared by health professionals who work with families and children. These stories aim to give ideas, inspiration and hope to other children and young people experiencing adversity.
In this episode, artists Melinda Hetzel and Sylvie Meltzer reflect on the experience of facilitating this process with the young people. In part two of this series, four of the six young participants discuss the process of developing the Looking Back videos and what they hope they will achieve.
In this episode you will learn: * why the creative process is a great way to explore deeply personal experiences [03:02] * how Melinda and Sylvie created a safe space and supported everyone’s wellbeing during the project [05:33] * how partnerships were set up with the young people involved [10:31] * the relationship between co-design and collaborative artistic processes [12:05]
Further information and resources: Young people and adversity: The Looking Back project - part two (podcast)
Looking Back series (videos)
For the past five years, Emerging Minds has been creating podcasts for professionals that explore effective ways to support infant and child mental health. Now, the new Emerging Minds Families podcast aims to do the same for parents and families.
Over the past 12 months, Emerging Minds has been working with families across Australia to learn more about the kinds of resources they need to best support their children’s mental health. These conversations, along with insights from practitioners and researchers, have guided the development of Emerging Minds Families: an online resource hub designed to help families better understand and support infant and child mental health.
As part of this program, the Emerging Minds Families team will be delivering a fortnightly podcast, starting 22 November 2022. Parents, families and practitioners will discuss infant and child mental health, offer advice, debunk myths and provide understanding for families who are striving to do the best for their children.
In this episode, you will meet the hosts of the Emerging Minds Families podcast: Ben Rogers, Alicia Ranford and Nadia Rossi. They will share how they’ve spent the past 12 months working with families to develop this podcast series, what they learned during this process, as well as the important role of co-design in developing resources for families. The team will also describe the ‘knowledgeable best friend’ approach that guides their work, how it evolved, and how it will support both families and practitioners.
In this episode: * Find out how the Emerging Minds Families podcast came about and what listeners can expect to learn (1:34) * Unpack the ‘knowledgeable best friend’ tone and how it was developed as a way to help families consider their child’s mental health support needs (2:49) * Hear some examples of the podcasts that will be delivered through the Emerging Minds Families channel (11:23) * Discover the importance of helping families to attempt strategies to help their children, but also to seek help from professionals where they need extra support (14:29) * Learn why it’s important to create content that benefits all families, including those that are currently facing adversity (27:20)
Further links and information: * Emerging Minds Families (website) * Introducing Emerging Minds Families (video)
This podcast discusses experiences of working with mothers who have experienced sexual trauma, have been subjected to child sexual abuse or sexual assault. Please be aware of your own emotional safety as you listen to this podcast, and if at any point you find you are struggling, or if you need to seek other help, please call lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or SANE Australia on 1800 187 263.
The National Perinatal Mental Health Guidelines recommend that as part of normal care, all pregnant people be asked questions around psychosocial factors as early as practical in pregnancy and 6–12 weeks after birth. One of the questions within this screening process asks if the person has experienced past physical or sexual abuse. It then recommends that support be offered to people who acknowledge this past trauma.
In this episode, Vicki Mansfield (Social Worker and Practice Development Officer at Emerging Minds) discusses the importance of trauma-informed pregnancy and post-natal care for people who’ve experienced sexual trauma. Vicki draws on her experience working within antenatal clinics, maternity wards and perinatal infant mental health services. She explores how a safe and empathic relationship with pregnant people can support their agency and choices in preparing for birth and promote emotional wellbeing for both parent and infant as they transition through this major life change.
In this episode, you will learn: * how past sexual trauma may increase physical and psychological vulnerability during pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenting [05:21] * why it is important to explore pregnant people’s feelings and concerns about birth and becoming a parent, and how to establish plans that strengthen their choices, consent and build a safe and collaborative antenatal care team [07:40] * how to consider parents’ postnatal needs, including debriefing after birth and being aware of trauma responses that can increase anxiety [09:41]
Further information and resources:
Keeping the infant and toddler in mind online course Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future online course Intergenerational mental health online course Best practice in perinatal care - COPE
This podcast discusses experiences of working with mothers who have experienced sexual trauma, have been subjected to child sexual abuse or sexual assault. Please be aware of your own emotional safety as you listen to this podcast, and if at any point you find you are struggling, or if you need to seek other help, please call lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or SANE Australia on 1800 187 263.
The National Perinatal Mental Health Guidelines recommend that as part of normal care, all pregnant people be asked questions around psychosocial factors as early as practical in pregnancy and 6–12 weeks after birth. One of the questions within this screening process asks if the person has experienced past physical or sexual abuse. It then recommends that support be offered to people who acknowledge this past trauma.
In this episode, Vicki Mansfield (Social Worker and Practice Development Officer at Emerging Minds) discusses the importance of trauma-informed pregnancy and post-natal care for people who’ve experienced sexual trauma. Vicki draws on her experience working within antenatal clinics, maternity wards and perinatal infant mental health services. She explores how a safe and empathic relationship with pregnant people can support their agency and choices in preparing for birth and promote emotional wellbeing for both parent and infant as they transition through this major life change.
In this episode, you will learn: * how past sexual trauma may increase physical and psychological vulnerability during pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenting [05:21] * why it is important to explore pregnant people’s feelings and concerns about birth and becoming a parent, and how to establish plans that strengthen their choices, consent and build a safe and collaborative antenatal care team [07:40] * how to consider parents’ postnatal needs, including debriefing after birth and being aware of trauma responses that can increase anxiety [09:41]
Further information and resources: Keeping the infant and toddler in mind online course Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future online course Intergenerational mental health online course Best practice in perinatal care - COPE
The pervasive nature of childhood bullying has led to many attitudes and myths about its severity. One of the most common is that bullying is a ‘normal part of growing up’. These dismissive attitudes can overlook the significant and lasting impact that childhood bullying has on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.
Practitioners in health and social services settings can play a vital role in strengthening a child’s social and familial networks to protect them from the effects of childhood bullying. They can also support children and families to develop an understanding of bullying as a significant issue impacting children’s wellbeing. In turn, these understandings may help children to feel more confident to disclose bullying involvement. They may also help adults to respond to children’s disclosures in more supportive and appropriate ways.
This episode is the second in a two-part series on childhood bullying and mental health. In this episode, Nicole Rollbusch continues the conversation with Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, a senior lecturer and researcher at Education Futures and the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. Dr Ey broadens the scope from part one to focus on the common attitudes and myths about childhood bullying that exist in Western society. She explains the significance of a child’s context to their experiences of bullying, the role that health and social service professionals can play in responding to bullying, and the importance of supporting children if they make a disclosure of bullying involvement.
In this episode you will learn: * common attitudes and myths about childhood bullying and their influence on practice [01:43] * why you should consider the child’s context – the importance of family, school and peers [06:02] * the role health and social service practitioners can play in responding to childhood bullying [09:20] * how to support children with disclosures of bullying involvement [17:48]
Further information and resources
Online course:
Understanding childhood bullying and mental health online course
Practice papers:
Working with families to prevent bullying practice paper Exploring bullying in context: Children’s relationships, friendships and social functioning practice paper Supporting families to navigate school responses to bullying practice paper Identifying and responding to bullying in the pre-teen years: The role of primary health care practitioners practice paper
Podcast
Childhood bullying and mental health – part one podcast
Webinar
Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour webinar
The pervasive nature of childhood bullying has led to many attitudes and myths about its severity. One of the most common is that bullying is a ‘normal part of growing up’. These dismissive attitudes can overlook the significant and lasting impact that childhood bullying has on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing.
Practitioners in health and social services settings can play a vital role in strengthening a child’s social and familial networks to protect them from the effects of childhood bullying. They can also support children and families to develop an understanding of bullying as a significant issue impacting children’s wellbeing. In turn, these understandings may help children to feel more confident to disclose bullying involvement. They may also help adults to respond to children’s disclosures in more supportive and appropriate ways.
This episode is the second in a two-part series on childhood bullying and mental health. In this episode, Nicole Rollbusch continues the conversation with Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, a senior lecturer and researcher at Education Futures and the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. Dr Ey broadens the scope from part one to focus on the common attitudes and myths about childhood bullying that exist in Western society. She explains the significance of a child’s context to their experiences of bullying, the role that health and social service professionals can play in responding to bullying, and the importance of supporting children if they make a disclosure of bullying involvement.
In this episode you will learn: * common attitudes and myths about childhood bullying and their influence on practice [01:43] * why you should consider the child’s context – the importance of family, school and peers [06:02] * the role health and social service practitioners can play in responding to childhood bullying [09:20] * how to support children with disclosures of bullying involvement [17:48]
Further information and resources
Online course:
Understanding childhood bullying and mental health online course
Practice papers:
Working with families to prevent bullying practice paper Exploring bullying in context: Children’s relationships, friendships and social functioning practice paper Supporting families to navigate school responses to bullying practice paper Identifying and responding to bullying in the pre-teen years: The role of primary health care practitioners practice paper
Podcast
Childhood bullying and mental health – part one podcast
Webinar
Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour webinar
Childhood bullying has significant impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children. These effects can extend well into adulthood, especially if there is little or no intervention.
Understandings and official definitions of childhood bullying have varied over the years, which has made it difficult for bullying to be recognised as a mental health issue for children. This also lends itself to misunderstandings in labelling children as ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’.
This episode is part one of a two-part series on childhood bullying and mental health. In this episode, Nicole Rollbusch talks to Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, a senior lecturer and researcher at Education Futures and the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. Dr Ey shares how definitions of childhood bullying vary and the impact this can have on children. Dr Ey also discusses the influence of bullying on children’s mental health and the role of prevention and early intervention in reducing these effects. She explores the mental health impact of labelling children as ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’ and links these considerations to practice for health and social services professionals.
In this episode you will learn: * the definition of bullying, how understandings can differ, and the consequences for children’s wellbeing [01:45] * the effects of childhood bullying on mental health [08:25] * the importance of early intervention [12:05] * the impact of labelling a child as the ‘bully’ or ‘victim’ and how practitioners can shift these labels to support child mental health [18:29]
Further information and resources:
Online course:
Understanding childhood bullying and mental health
Practice papers:
Working with families to prevent bullying Exploring bullying in context: Children’s relationships, friendships and social functioning Supporting families to navigate school responses to bullying Identifying and responding to bullying in the pre-teen years: The role of primary health care practitioners
Podcast:
Childhood bullying and mental health – part two (released next fortnight)
Webinar:
Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour
Childhood bullying has significant impacts on the mental health and wellbeing of children. These effects can extend well into adulthood, especially if there is little or no intervention.
Understandings and official definitions of childhood bullying have varied over the years, which has made it difficult for bullying to be recognised as a mental health issue for children. This also lends itself to misunderstandings in labelling children as ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’.
This episode is part one of a two-part series on childhood bullying and mental health. In this episode, Nicole Rollbusch talks to Dr Lesley-Anne Ey, a senior lecturer and researcher at Education Futures and the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia. Dr Ey shares how definitions of childhood bullying vary and the impact this can have on children. Dr Ey also discusses the influence of bullying on children’s mental health and the role of prevention and early intervention in reducing these effects. She explores the mental health impact of labelling children as ‘bullies’ or ‘victims’ and links these considerations to practice for health and social services professionals.
In this episode you will learn: * the definition of bullying, how understandings can differ, and the consequences for children’s wellbeing [01:45] * the effects of childhood bullying on mental health [08:25] * the importance of early intervention [12:05] * the impact of labelling a child as the ‘bully’ or ‘victim’ and how practitioners can shift these labels to support child mental health [18:29]
Further information and resources:
Online course:
Understanding childhood bullying and mental health
Practice papers:
Working with families to prevent bullying Exploring bullying in context: Children’s relationships, friendships and social functioning Supporting families to navigate school responses to bullying Identifying and responding to bullying in the pre-teen years: The role of primary health care practitioners
Podcast:
Childhood bullying and mental health – part two (released next fortnight)
Webinar:
Working with children who are experiencing or engaging in bullying behaviour
Despite the most thorough preparations and skillful collaborations, the tools and techniques introduced in therapy may not be as useful for the child and family as you’d hoped. Interventions don’t always go according to plan, and sometimes the child and family experience a setback in relation to dealing with a problem.
In the face of potential disappointment and discouragement, a key practice challenge is finding ways to respond that are both helpful and hopeful for the child and family.
This podcast (the second in our two-part series) explores some practice ideas for responding when children and families experience setbacks in dealing with problems. It also looks at ways practitioners can future-proof children’s newly acquired, developed or discovered skills in dealing with problems.
In this episode we talk with child psychologists Angela Coppi, Jane Walch and Sara McLean about how they navigate these practice challenges. We also speak with Jess and Emi, two of Emerging Minds’ Child and Family Partners who have contributed to the development of our Practice strategies suite of courses. Jess and Emi share their lived experience of working with practitioners in relation to their children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode, you will learn: * strategies for responding when children and families experience setbacks in dealing with problems (02:42) * what you can do when tools and techniques don’t seem to be helpful for the child and family (06:15) * some ways to respond when children and parents express disappointment and discouragement (18:42) * how you can collaboratively develop and tailor interventions with children to help future-proof their new skills (23:11)
Further information and resources:
Online course: Practice strategies for implementation Podcast: Child mental health implementation strategies – part one
Despite the most thorough preparations and skillful collaborations, the tools and techniques introduced in therapy may not be as useful for the child and family as you’d hoped. Interventions don’t always go according to plan, and sometimes the child and family experience a setback in relation to dealing with a problem.
In the face of potential disappointment and discouragement, a key practice challenge is finding ways to respond that are both helpful and hopeful for the child and family.
This podcast (the second in our two-part series) explores some practice ideas for responding when children and families experience setbacks in dealing with problems. It also looks at ways practitioners can future-proof children’s newly acquired, developed or discovered skills in dealing with problems.
In this episode we talk with child psychologists Angela Coppi, Jane Walch and Sara McLean about how they navigate these practice challenges. We also speak with Jess and Emi, two of Emerging Minds’ Child and Family Partners who have contributed to the development of our Practice strategies suite of courses. Jess and Emi share their lived experience of working with practitioners in relation to their children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode, you will learn: * strategies for responding when children and families experience setbacks in dealing with problems (02:42) * what you can do when tools and techniques don’t seem to be helpful for the child and family (06:15) * some ways to respond when children and parents express disappointment and discouragement (18:42) * how you can collaboratively develop and tailor interventions with children to help future-proof their new skills (23:11)
Further information and resources:
Online course: Practice strategies for implementation Podcast: Child mental health implementation strategies – part one
The strengths, skills, knowledge and values that children develop throughout their lives can provide an important foundation for reducing the impact of the problems they face. Likewise, a practitioner’s professional training and practice experience provide them with ideas, tools, techniques and strategies that can prove highly useful when working with children and families.
A key practice challenge, then, is to create a therapeutic context that draws on the resourcefulness of both children and practitioners.
This two-part series explores how practitioners can honour children’s creativity and know-how, without diminishing their own expertise. It considers how practitioners can share their practice wisdom with children without inadvertently disempowering them.
In this episode, we talk with experienced child psychologists Angela Coppi, Jane Walch and Sara McLean about how they navigate these practice challenges. We also speak with Jess and Emi, two of Emerging Minds’ Child and Family Partners, who have contributed to the development of our Practice strategies suite of online courses. Jess and Emi share their lived experience of working with practitioners in relation to their children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode you will learn: * Practices for encouraging children to collaborate (02:23). * The importance of drawing on children’s creativity and interests in when developing interventions with children (09:35). * How contributing to the development of tools and ideas to support their wellbeing can benefit children (14:58).
Further information and resources:
Online course: Practice strategies for implementation
The strengths, skills, knowledge and values that children develop throughout their lives can provide an important foundation for reducing the impact of the problems they face. Likewise, a practitioner’s professional training and practice experience provide them with ideas, tools, techniques and strategies that can prove highly useful when working with children and families.
A key practice challenge, then, is to create a therapeutic context that draws on the resourcefulness of both children and practitioners.
This two-part series explores how practitioners can honour children’s creativity and know-how, without diminishing their own expertise. It considers how practitioners can share their practice wisdom with children without inadvertently disempowering them.
In this episode, we talk with experienced child psychologists Angela Coppi, Jane Walch and Sara McLean about how they navigate these practice challenges. We also speak with Jess and Emi, two of Emerging Minds’ Child and Family Partners, who have contributed to the development of our Practice strategies suite of online courses. Jess and Emi share their lived experience of working with practitioners in relation to their children’s mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode you will learn: * Practices for encouraging children to collaborate (02:23). * The importance of drawing on children’s creativity and interests in when developing interventions with children (09:35). * How contributing to the development of tools and ideas to support their wellbeing can benefit children (14:58).
Further information and resources:
Online course: Practice strategies for implementation
This podcast explores the topic of homelessness and its impacts on children and families – in particular, how it affects child mental health. Most importantly, it provides workable strategies and skills for improving support to families experiencing homelessness.
In this episode, we talk with Susie Lukis and Kirren O'Brien, Coordinators for the Statewide Children’s Resource Program in Victoria. The Statewide Children’s Resource Program (SCRP) advocates for and assists practitioners in homelessness support and other non-government services to respond more effectively to the needs of children who have experienced homelessness and/or family violence.
This episode is full of strategies that services can adopt to better support children and families experiencing homelessness. It outlines practical skills that practitioners can use in their work with children and their caregivers who are experiencing homelessness. It also looks at how families become homeless in the first place, and what impact issues such as COVID-19, cost of living rises, natural disasters and housing affordability have had on Australian families.
In this episode you will learn: * the different pathways to homelessness and how societal issues impact on children and families (4:09) * how infant and child mental health is impacted when family and domestic violence drives families into homelessness (10:38) * the importance of early intervention and other strategies to help services better support the child mental health in the context of homelessness (16:48) * practical skills for engaging and supporting the mental health of children experiencing homelessness and the parent-child relationship (23:14)
Further information and resources:
Website: Statewide Children’s Resource Program Website: Statewide Childrens Resource Program – resources for practitioners Webinar: Families and homelessness: Supporting parents and improving outcomes for children Online course: Intergenerational mental health Online course: The impact of trauma on the child Online course: Supporting children who have experienced trauma Podcast: Breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage In focus article: What are adverse childhood experiences ACEs)?
This podcast explores the topic of homelessness and its impacts on children and families – in particular, how it affects child mental health. Most importantly, it provides workable strategies and skills for improving support to families experiencing homelessness.
In this episode, we talk with Susie Lukis and Kirren O'Brien, Coordinators for the Statewide Children’s Resource Program in Victoria. The Statewide Children’s Resource Program (SCRP) advocates for and assists practitioners in homelessness support and other non-government services to respond more effectively to the needs of children who have experienced homelessness and/or family violence.
This episode is full of strategies that services can adopt to better support children and families experiencing homelessness. It outlines practical skills that practitioners can use in their work with children and their caregivers who are experiencing homelessness. It also looks at how families become homeless in the first place, and what impact issues such as COVID-19, cost of living rises, natural disasters and housing affordability have had on Australian families.
In this episode you will learn: * the different pathways to homelessness and how societal issues impact on children and families (4:09) * how infant and child mental health is impacted when family and domestic violence drives families into homelessness (10:38) * the importance of early intervention and other strategies to help services better support the child mental health in the context of homelessness (16:48) * practical skills for engaging and supporting the mental health of children experiencing homelessness and the parent-child relationship (23:14)
Further information and resources:
Website: Statewide Children’s Resource Program Website: Statewide Childrens Resource Program – resources for practitioners Webinar: Families and homelessness: Supporting parents and improving outcomes for children Online course: Intergenerational mental health Online course: The impact of trauma on the child Online course: Supporting children who have experienced trauma Podcast: Breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage In focus article: What are adverse childhood experiences ACEs)?
Children and young people’s healthy development is directly related to the nature and quality of the parenting they receive. The National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People 2020–2030 highlights that effective parenting support improves both immediate and long-term child outcomes, especially during the antenatal and early childhood period. But due to discrimination, psychosocial/language barriers, poor continuity of care and a lack of accessible, affordable, quality health services, many parents find it hard to get the support they need.
In this episode, Vicki Mansfield talks with Dr Lyndal Harborne, an obstetrician and gynecologist. Dr Harborne’s professional and personal experiences of motherhood have led her to become a compassionate advocate for holistic pregnancy care. She has learned that the provision of holistic care throughout pregnancy benefits both parent and infant mental health.
Dr Harborne talks about why it’s important for clinicians to take the time to understand parents’ psychosocial context. She explores how providing parents with choices can enable them to positively navigate pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenting. She shares her insights about post-natal depression, and advocates for talking about the ‘bad stuff’ so parents don’t feel alone and abandoned in their experiences.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of having antenatal care that explores and understands the parent’s ‘bigger picture’ – not just their physical state, but also their emotional and mental health and their relationships with others [08:17] * why understanding perinatal vulnerabilities and having a multidisciplinary team is essential to best support the emotional wellbeing of parents [19:20] * the benefits of compassionately exploring the pressures parents feel in adjusting to parenting, and how these pressures impact upon parents’ moods and feelings about having children [20:43] * the importance of supporting parents after perinatal loss, and how miscarriages, stillbirths, neonatal deaths and other losses can leave parents feeling isolated and alone [24:35]
Further information and resources:
Keeping the infant and toddler in mind (online course) Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families (online course)
David Tully is the Practice Manager at Relationships Australia, South Australia. He has 25 years of experience working with children and families who’ve been impacted by sexual abuse and physical trauma.
In the second episode of this two-part series (part one here), David talks about the role of therapy in helping children to develop and understand their identity in the context of trauma or abuse. He describes the importance of helping children to discover new identities, built from their stories of protest, resistance and resilience. These identities help counteract the stories of failure that so many children carry with them after experiences of trauma or abuse.
David describes some of the labels that are often given to children who have experienced trauma, and how therapy can help to dispute these labels. He discusses interventions that provide children with the context they need to challenge their negative identities and self-blame. He also shares some insights from his work with men who perpetrate violence, and his work with children who have been affected by men’s violence.
In this episode you will learn: * how to help children incorporate their stories into a contextual framework that acknowledges power (3:36) * ways to work with men who perpetrate violence that focus on what their child is seeing, hearing and experiencing (8:08) * the importance of understanding the relational context of trauma (12:00) * why it’s important to honour the significance of children’s stories of protest and resilience (14:22) * the important messages David provides to practitioners who
David Tully has been a therapist, supervisor and manager for 25 years. In his role as Practice Manager at Relationships Australia SA, he uses trauma-informed care principles to support children and families affected by sexual abuse and physical trauma.
In the first episode of this two-part series, David talks about how children make meaning of their experiences of trauma and sexual abuse, and how perpetrators can manipulate children into believing they were complicit in the abuse. He discusses the practitioner’s role in bringing power and protest into focus, in ways that begin to challenge children’s feelings of shame and self-blame. And he describes how being curious about the small acts of resistance that children demonstrate throughout traumatic experiences can help to honor their resilience, connections and courage.
David unpacks the ways in which secrecy operates in the lives of children who’ve experienced trauma and abuse, and how practitioners can help children access new understandings of their experiences. He provides some practical examples of ways to engage with children in your work, to increase the likelihood that your sessions are purposeful and useful and can support children’s recovery.
In this episode you will learn: * why it’s important to understand the ways in which children make meaning of their experiences of trauma and abuse (3:17) * how David helps provide children with an overt context of power (10:17) * the importance of establishing purpose from the earliest possible stage of engagement (15:50) * how David makes his foundational beliefs about the unfairness of abuse clear in his early conversations with children (19:26) * how to include more generative accounts of
David Tully has been a therapist, supervisor and manager for 25 years. In his role as Practice Manager at Relationships Australia SA, he uses trauma-informed care principles to support children and families affected by sexual abuse and physical trauma.
In the first episode of this two-part series, David talks about how children make meaning of their experiences of trauma and sexual abuse, and how perpetrators can manipulate children into believing they were complicit in the abuse. He discusses the practitioner’s role in bringing power and protest into focus, in ways that begin to challenge children’s feelings of shame and self-blame. And he describes how being curious about the small acts of resistance that children demonstrate throughout traumatic experiences can help to honor their resilience, connections and courage.
David unpacks the ways in which secrecy operates in the lives of children who’ve experienced trauma and abuse, and how practitioners can help children access new understandings of their experiences. He provides some practical examples of ways to engage with children in your work, to increase the likelihood that your sessions are purposeful and useful and can support children’s recovery.
In this episode you will learn: * why it’s important to understand the ways in which children make meaning of their experiences of trauma and abuse (3:17) * how David helps provide children with an overt context of power (10:17) * the importance of establishing purpose from the earliest possible stage of engagement (15:50) * how David makes his foundational beliefs about the unfairness of abuse clear in his early conversations with children (19:26) * how to include more generative accounts of children’s stories of resistance, protest and care for others in your practice (22:28)
Complex developmental trauma can affect children’s lives in many ways. It can have an impact on development and may lead to poor long-term outcomes if not addressed. These impacts also present many challenges for parents and caregivers, as well as practitioners.
Effective trauma-informed practice requires a comprehensive understanding of the signs and effects of complex developmental trauma. Practitioners also need to have the skills and confidence to have protective conversations with children and their families.
In this episode, we talk with Kathryn Lenton of the Australian Childhood Foundation about working with children and families who are living with the impacts of complex developmental trauma. Kathryn draws on her extensive clinical experience as a social worker and counsellor to discuss key understandings and practices for effective trauma-informed practice.
In this episode you will learn: * what complex developmental trauma is and how it may manifest in children’s lives [01:18] * key understandings that can support practitioners [06:00] * strategies for working effectively with parents and caregivers [09:41] * how to differentiate between the impacts of complex trauma and medical diagnoses [18:15] * ways to respond to children’s experience of shame [22:01]
Further information and resources:
What is meant by PACE? https://ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/meant-pace/
PACE and the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) model: https://ddpnetwork.org/about-ddp/
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy training: https://professionals.childhood.org.au/training-development/ddp/
The impact of trauma on the child (online course): https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/trauma-and-the-child-e-learning-course/
Supporting children who have experienced trauma (online course): https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/supporting-children-who-have-experienced-trauma-e-learning-course/
Supporting children who disclose trauma (online course): https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-children-who-disclose-trauma/
How to recognise complex trauma in infants and children and promote wellbeing (webinar): https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/recognising-complex-trauma-in-infants-and-children/
Complex trauma through a trauma-informed lens: Supporting the wellbeing of infants and young children (practice paper): https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/complex-trauma-through-a-trauma-informed-lens-supporting-the-wellbeing-of-infants-and-young-children/
Working and walking alongside First Nations children and young people – a practical guide for non-Aboriginal workers (practice paper):
Note: ‘Social and emotional wellbeing’ is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.
Building the cultural capacity of an organisation is an important step in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and wellbeing. In this episode, Lou Turner and Nancy Jeffrey discuss how they’ll be guiding Emerging Minds’ partnerships and implementation work to better support the mental health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Lou Turner is a proud Anangu father with Pitjantjatjara connections to Docker River and Mutitjulu communities. Lou shares his hopes for his work with Emerging Minds; and discusses the journey of ‘walking in two worlds’ to promote and realise intergenerational healing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and the generations to come.
You’ll also hear from Nancy Jeffrey, a proud Woolwonga woman from the Northern Territory who lives and works on Larrakia Country. Nancy shares her passion for supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and the cultural protocols that have helped her work in rural and remote communities. Nancy has a long history in supporting infants and children’s mental health and the work of Emerging Minds – she has been a member of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Consultancy group since it began in 2019.
In this episode, Nancy and Lou share the hopes and worries they have for their First Nations communities. They also outline steps and strategies that non-Indigenous practitioners can use to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families’ mental health and wellbeing.
In this episode you will learn: * why it’s important to understand the impact of colonisation and how intergenerational trauma plays out in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities [07:21] * how mental health impacts and interacts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing [11:56] * the importance of understanding ‘double stories’ when supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families [15:10] * practical steps you can take to build confidence in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families [16:24]
Further information and resources:
A story of two-way learning and healing (podcast)
In focus: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (article)
Improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (online course)
When talking with children in a therapeutic setting, how do you lessen their likelihood of feeling shame or blame for the problems they’re dealing with?
Naming and framing the problem in their own terms can not only lessen children’s sense of shame and blame; it can also create space for their creativity, imagination and agency in responding to the issues they’re facing.
In this episode (the third in our Engaging children series), hosts Jen Ly and Chris Dolman are joined by practitioners Annette Flanagan, Kate Headley, Melinda Vardanega, Lisa Johnson, Aerinn Morgan, Jamie Lee and Liz Lodge. Together, they share their ideas, reflections and strategies for enabling children to describe problems in their own terms and in ways that are meaningful and useful for them.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of helping children to describe problems in their own terms and in ways that are meaningful for them [02:02] * some practice ideas for engaging with children that focus on naming and framing the problem [05:43] * what other professionals have found helpful in this work [11:33]
Further information and resources:
Engaging children: Shrinking problems (online course)
Practical strategies for engaging children in a practice setting (practice paper)
An overview of child participation: Key issues for organisations and practitioners (practice paper)
Shrinking problems with children and families (webinar)
Aboriginal mental health researcher, Professor Juli Coffin was honored in the 2021 Western Australian Mental Health Awards for her work with Yawardani Jan-ga (‘horses helping’). This equine therapyprovides trauma-informed, culturally safe, client-centered and strength-based support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Western Australia.
In this episode narrated by Dana Shen, Juli shares how ‘being’ with a horse on Country can support and guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in learning more about themselves, working through difficulties, and improving their social and emotional wellbeing.
In this episode, you will learn: * how horses can help engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people [08:26] * how self-determination is best practice for healing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people [10:56] * the importance of understanding your unconscious biases [23:58] * why it’s important to be flexible and allow time in this work [26:33]
Further information and resources:
What is Equine Assisted Mental Health? | Equine Assisted Therapy (equineassistedtherapyaustralia.com.au)
Bec Edser is a Child and Family Partnerships Coordinator at Emerging Minds. She is also the mother of a six-year-old son with neurodiversity.
In this episode, Bec describes the evolution of ‘Team Wolfie’: a concept developed by her partner as a way to ensure practitioners shared important understandings of his son’s support and advocacy needs.
The ‘Team Wolfie’ concept has enabled Bec and her family to negotiate the many challenges that confront a family who are dealing with a new diagnosis. Bec describes the ways that practitioners have demonstrated their commitment to being on her child’s team and offered her support in acknowledging and holistic ways.
Bec’s experiences of navigating her son’s neurodiversity have contributed significantly to Emerging Minds’ online courses, Child-centred and family-focused practice with children with disability, and Child-centred and communication-focused practice with children with disability.
In this episode you will learn: * about Bec’s experiences in receiving a diagnosis of neurodiversity for her son, and some of the practical supports she received from professionals during this time [1:42] * how practitioners can join parents in forming a team around the child, ensuring shared and coordinated understanding and advocacy [7:06] * how practitioners can acknowledge the many tasks that parents complete so that their child can be supported to the best of their ability, in ways that enhance confidence and engagement [9:16] * how practitioners and parents can help children to describe their support needs, in ways that help them engage in everyday activities [15:12] * the importance of holistic practices that consider all aspects of a child’s daily life [23:39]
Research shows children like adults to be interested in what they’re into, what they need, and how they respond when things are happening around them (Moore, 2017; Griffiths-Cook & Fenn, 2018).
Talking with children about what they enjoy and what they’re good at can create a context for understanding the child’s perspective on the problems they’re facing. Conversations exploring children’s strengths and interests can also provide a foundation from which to build further skills to respond to these problems.
In this episode (the second in our Engaging children podcast series), hosts Jen Ly and Chris Dolman are joined by practitioners Lisa Johnson, Sally McLaren, Annette Flanagan, Liz Lodge and Ali Chisholm. Together, they share their ideas, reflections and strategies around exploring children’s strengths, skills, know-how and interests.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of practitioners opening up conversations with children about their strengths, skills and interests [02:41] * some strategies for exploring children’s strengths, skills and interests in your practice [03:42] * what other professionals have found helpful in this work [09:44]
Further information and resources:
Engaging children: Rich pictures (e-learning course)
Practical strategies for engaging children in a practice setting (practice paper)
An overview of child participation: Key issues for organisations and practitioners (practice paper)
References
Griffiths-Cook, J., & Fenn, L. (2018). Kids have big thoughts too. Life Transitions: what children say about change. Canberra: ACT Human Rights Commission.
Moore, T. (2017). Protection through participation: Involving children in child safe organisations. CFCA Practice Paper. Melbourne: Child Family Community Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Research shows children like adults to be interested in what they’re into, what they need, and how they respond when things are happening around them (Moore, 2017; Griffiths-Cook & Fenn, 2018).
Talking with children about what they enjoy and what they’re good at can create a context for understanding the child’s perspective on the problems they’re facing. Conversations exploring children’s strengths and interests can also provide a foundation from which to build further skills to respond to these problems.
In this episode (the second in our Engaging children podcast series), hosts Jen Ly and Chris Dolman are joined by practitioners Lisa Johnson, Sally McLaren, Annette Flanagan, Liz Lodge and Ali Chisholm. Together, they share their ideas, reflections and strategies around exploring children’s strengths, skills, know-how and interests.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of practitioners opening up conversations with children about their strengths, skills and interests [02:41] * some strategies for exploring children’s strengths, skills and interests in your practice [03:42] * what other professionals have found helpful in this work [09:44]
Further information and resources:
Engaging children: Rich pictures (e-learning course)
Practical strategies for engaging children in a practice setting (practice paper)
An overview of child participation: Key issues for organisations and practitioners (practice paper)
References
Griffiths-Cook, J., & Fenn, L. (2018). Kids have big thoughts too. Life Transitions: what children say about change. Canberra: ACT Human Rights Commission.
Moore, T. (2017). Protection through participation: Involving children in child safe organisations. CFCA Practice Paper. Melbourne: Child Family Community Australia, Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Taking care to describe things in ways that make sense to the child and inviting them to share their understanding of why you’re meeting with them can make a big difference. These practices can enable children to contribute to the conversation and participate fully in your work together. They can also potentially ‘open the door’ to a conversation with the child about the problem they’re facing.
In this episode (the first in our Engaging children podcast series), hosts Chris Dolman and Jen Ly are joined by practitioners Kate Headley, Liz Lodge, Jackie Amos, Jessica Warren and Mthobeli Ngcanga. Together, they share their ideas and reflections on the key skills for working effectively with children.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of understanding the child’s perspective on why you’re meeting [02:27] * what to consider in regard to transparency when beginning to work with children [06:04] * what other professionals have found helpful in this work [10:49]
Further information and resources:
Engaging children: Good beginnings e-learning course
Hervatin, M. (2020). Practical strategies for engaging children in a practice setting. Adelaide: Emerging Minds.
In a previous episode, psychologist Penny Sih shared her thoughts about child mental health assessment and engagement and ways to support a child to live their ‘best life’. In this episode, social worker Ali Knight and child and family partners Jess and Emi continue this conversation. They explore child mental health assessment and engagement practices that help families feel more confident and engaged in the therapeutic process, which in turn helps them to live their ‘best lives’.
When a child and parent first arrive to meet with a professional, they often feel anxious or even reluctant. They might feel like they’re going to be told off, or lectured, or made to discuss subjects that make them feel uncomfortable. Ali, Jess and Emi discuss the practices that help children to overcome this initial anxiety, to engage fully within the practice environment, and to become holistically involved in the decisions that affect their lives.
In their role as Emerging Minds Child and Family Partners, Jess and Emi have made a significant contribution to Emerging Minds’ online training courses, webinars and practice papers. Ali Knight is a social worker with 25 years’ experience, specialising in work with infants and children in child protection, child development and trauma-related services. All three were instrumental in the development of Emerging Minds’ online course, Practice strategies for assessment and engagement.
In this episode you will learn: * how to set the scene with children who might not be happy about coming to a professional environment, so that you can increase their sense of comfort and confidence and give them the time and space that they need [02:52] * how to help children and parents consider the strategies that already work well for them, rather than focusing only on the problems that they are facing [05:37] * how a holistic understanding of the ‘whole child’ – their preferences, relationships and hopes – can influence practice [14:16] * how to pick up on cues that children provide throughout the engagement, to ensure sessions are flexible enough to cater for the child’s needs [18:29] * why it’s important to include children in strategies that can be replicated at home or at school [23:15]
Further information and resources:
Practice strategies for assessment and engagement (online course)
Practice strategies for formulation (online course)
Helping children to live their ‘best life’ – part one (podcast)
Helping children to live their ‘best life’ – part two (podcast)
There are a wide range of professions that work in child mental health. In this episode, we explore some of these child mental health support roles, and chat with a range of practitioners who work with children and families. Each guest comes from a different discipline, and discusses the role they play in supporting families.
We'll be hearing from Gabrielle Hart, an infant, child and adolescent psychiatrist in private practice; Marnie Winterford, a clinical psychologist with a specialty in supporting young children and adolescents; Gill Munro, who comes with many years of experience managing a large drug and alcohol rehab service in South Australia; Ali Chisholm, an occupational therapist who works in an early childhood and family team in community health; as well as Fiona Bottroff, a speech pathologist who is also from an early childhood and family team.
In this episode you will learn: * the role of social workers in child mental health support and working with families [01:21] * the role of clinical psychologists in child mental health support and working with families [03:59] * the role of psychiatrists in child mental health support and working with families [10:19] * the role of speech pathologists in child mental health support and working with families [19:31] * the role of occupational therapists in child mental health support and working with families [22:41]
In the second of this two-part podcast series (listen to part one here), you’ll continue to hear from Kimberley, Brad and Bec, parents of children who have experienced different chronic childhood physical illnesses. You’ll hear how practitioners have been able to support not just the children’s physical conditions, but also the social and emotional wellbeing of these children and their families while they are undergoing treatment.
Many children experiencing a childhood physical illness require regular trips to hospital and medical interventions that can be traumatic for both the child and their family. However, the negative impacts on everyone’s wellbeing can be minimised by taking a family-focused and trauma-informed approach.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our child and family partners, Kimberley, Bec and Brad for taking the time to share their hard-earned wisdom and expertise with us.
In this episode you will learn:
- the types of supports families find helpful while their children are undergoing treatment for childhood physical illnesses [01:17]
- the strategies that practitioners use to support the mental health of children throughout the treatment processes [08:36]
- the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach to caring for a child with a chronic physical illness [13:45]
- how to support the wellbeing of siblings of children with chronic childhood physical illnesses [19:25]
Further information and resources:
Understanding child mental health and chronic physical conditions e-learning course
Childhood physical conditions and mental health fact sheets
In the first of this two-part podcast series, Emerging Minds Child and Family Partners Kimberley, Brad and Bec share how they manage their children’s social and emotional wellbeing while dealing with the challenges of chronic physical illness. They describe some of the ways that practitioners have been able to support their children’s mental health throughout the treatment process, and how these strategies have also helped them to support their child.
Managing ongoing symptoms of chronic physical illness and undergoing medical treatment or procedures can have significant impacts for children and families. Promoting self-care strategies for parents and caregivers will lead to improved wellbeing outcomes for the children they are caring for.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our child and family partners, Kimberley, Bec and Brad for taking the time to share their hard-earned wisdom and expertise with us.
In this episode you will learn: * more about the chronic physical illnesses experienced within these families [01:36] * how a diagnosis of chronic physical illness impacts on the child and family [04:22] * the impacts of managing ongoing symptoms and undergoing medical treatment/procedures [06:29] * how self-care is important for parents and caregivers of children experiencing a chronic physical illness [16:06]
Further information and resources:
Family perspectives on childhood physical illness - part two
Understanding child mental health and chronic physical conditions e-learning course
Childhood physical conditions and mental health fact sheets
In this episode, Emerging Minds Practice Development Manager, Dan Moss joins Senior Cultural Development Officer, Rosie Schellen and Senior Practice Development Officer, Chris Dolman to reflect on what has made the infant and child mental health podcast series so effective over the past four years and 100 episodes.
Rosie reflects on Emerging Minds’ collaborative work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to help bring to the fore stories of strength, resilience and hope, as well as those of hardship and systemic disadvantage.
Chris describes how practitioners have helped change the way we think about infant and child mental health, in ways that make challenging work feel more possible and motivating. He also describes some of the ways that children and families with lived experience have contributed so richly to the podcast series.
In this episode you will learn: * how Rosie has worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, leaders and practitioners to respectfully bring forth stories of hope, resilience and connection, and the considerations that are important within this process [04:23] * how practitioners have contributed to understandings about infant and child mental health through stories of their everyday practice, and the strategies we can all use to help children and families tell their stories [06:52] * how hurt and connection, strength and wisdom have been so powerfully interwoven in the stories of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guests, in ways that generously assist all practitioners to consider how they can make room for these stories in their work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities [09:56] * how discussions with parents about their hopes for their children can become a great antidote for the experiences of shame and blame that families often feel when working with a practitioner, and the kinds of strength-based practices that have helped families find new ways to connect and overcome adversities [17:28] * about the people that have contributed to the evolution of the Emerging Minds podcast series over the past 100 episodes! [20:50]
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 refugee children and adolescents in Australia: outcomes from wave three of the Building a New Life in Australia study * Cohort Profile: Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA): the longitudinal study of humanitarian migrants
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-sensitive practice looks like (12:44) * What services can do to promote inclusivity with rainbow families (23:32)
How do you support a child through the transition to school, whilst also managing constant changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Educator and researcher, Dr Kathryn Hopps, has spent her career as an early childhood educator and primary teacher in a diverse range of education settings. Her research expertise is in school transitions, and her PhD study focused on the transition to primary school. Kathryn is a member of several national and international transition networks, whose important work includes a transitions position statement.
In this episode of the Emerging Minds podcast, we discuss her particular interest in families’ and children’s experiences of transitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathryn also draws on her knowledge of early learning and primary school transitions to provide practical advice for parents and carers.
In this episode you will learn: * transitions can sometimes be thought of as a one-off event. However, it’s important to think of a child’s transitions as a process of adapting to change and finding a sense of belonging that happens over time (02:38) * transitions can also be an opportunity for families to work in partnership with educators to establish a plan aimed at supporting their child’s needs (18:12) * research about children's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted that disruptions to their peer relationships has been impactful on their social and emotional wellbeing (25:09) * it’s important to know that there can be a level of parental grief associated with transitions, and to recognise that this is a common experience. As a parent, it becomes important that you’re aware of these emotions and find ways of looking after yourself during these times. (26.20)
Further information and resources:
First transitions take time – RMIT
Transition (back) to school – Dr K. Hopps
Transition to school – Preparation for families – ACT Council of P&Cs
Follow Kathryn on Twitter – @drkhopps
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health difficulties experienced by Australian children. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Andrew Leech, a GP based in Perth, Western Australia, to discuss working with children, parents and families where paediatric anxiety may be present.
Andrew has a passion for paediatric general practice as well as the role that GPs can play in positively influencing a child’s life trajectory. This year, Andrew was selected to be part of the WA Health Clinical Advisory Group Taskforce reviewing mental healthcare in children – a review that is still ongoing.
Andrew discusses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on child anxiety; anxiety presentations by age and stage; strategies to support children experiencing anxiety; how to recognise when further specialist support might be needed; ways of ‘holding the family’ while they await specialist support; and resources to help GPs in this work.
In this episode you will learn: * what the prevalence of childhood anxiety is in Australia (03:56) * what to expect from typical developmental behaviours and when a child may need further support (05:24) * how to identify anxiety presentations in different ages and stages, including infants, toddlers, and school-aged children (06:53) * how to decide when a child may require specialist support and how to support the family through that process (12:49) * ways to support a child experiencing anxiety and work sensitively with the family (16:36) * ways to work sensitively with the child’s parents/carers (22:33) * how GPs can support families as communities start to re-open after the COVID-19 pandemic, including transitions back to school and living with COVID-19 in the community (27:19) * where to find supporting resources to assist GPs in this work (30:02)
Dr Angie Willcocks is a psychologist with a rich history of supporting mothers throughout the fertility, pregnancy and postnatal periods. Angie has developed a practice approach that focuses on a holistic understanding of all of the domains of a woman’s life – not only those that are connected to her baby.
In this episode, Angie describes her assessment and formulation strategies, which support mothers to consider every aspect of their lives, and the supports they need to maintain social and emotional wellbeing. She is interested in how mothers can look past society’s expectations, and make the lifestyle, relationship, and parenting choices that support their long-term mental health and wellbeing.
As part of her commitment to holistic understandings of women, Angie completed a PhD that examined the effects of diet on mothers’ mental health. Through this study, Angie found that diet significantly impacted the risk of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postnatally. She discusses the possible implications for practice that have stemmed from her research, and how professionals can introduce discussions about lifestyle into their everyday engagements.
In this episode you will learn: * how to work collaboratively with mothers who are attempting to juggle parenting, work, relationships, and family members with mental health issues (02:45) * why it is important to provide space for a mother to come into a session with her infant, and the information that you can provide to a practitioner for later conversations (06:00) * how to begin a conversation with a mother about the holistic supports she requires to parent in her preferred ways (08:05) * the opportunities that can arise for women when they can stop judging themselves so harshly and start prioritising their own mental health, diet, exercise, and relationships (14:52) * the findings from Angie’s PhD study, which examined the effect of diet quality on mothers’ mental health (16:13) * the importance of women prioritising their own mental health for themselves, not just for their children or their partner (23:08)
In the second episode of this two-part series, clinical psychologist Penny Sih expands upon her description of the ‘best life’ approach: a way of engaging positively with children by discussing the relationships, routines and activities that sustain and energise them. (If you haven’t listened to part one, you can go back and listen to it here).
Penny has spent 17 years working with children, teens and their families. During that time, she has developed engagement processes with children that focus on an understanding of their ‘best life’. In this episode, Penny applies her ‘best life’ approach to Zoe – a fictional eight-year-old girl who has been referred to a psychologist because of her school refusal. Zoe appears in the Emerging Minds e-learning course, Practice strategies for assessment and engagement.
Penny describes her approach in engaging with both Zoe and Zoe’s mother, Brigid, to increase their confidence and motivation in the therapeutic process. She discusses strategies to encourage the contribution of parents, and how this can help them to support and nurture their children. Penny provides practical examples of noticing parents’ positive intentions and strengths, in ways which help them to consistently replicate these positive behaviours with their children.
In this episode you will learn: * how Penny negotiates with children and parents regarding who is ‘in charge’ of the therapy sessions (2:14) * how the therapist can play a role in supporting Mum or Dad to have the confidence to be the kind of parent they would prefer to be (6:42) * how to support parents to notice when their child demonstrates strengths and is able to overcome the effects of the problem in their life (8:25) * strategies for noticing children’s cues during sessions, and asking them questions about their reactions to particular topics (10:46) * strategies for helping children to develop control in their everyday lives (14:50)
Supporting resources: * Helping children to live their 'best life' - part 1 (podcast) * Practice strategies for assessment and engagement (e-learning course)
Penny Sih is a clinical psychologist at Developing Minds. Over the past 17 years, she has developed engagement processes to help children and teens understand and move towards their ‘best life’. In episode one of this two-part series, Penny shares how the ‘best life’ approach can help practitioners to better understand the ‘whole child’ and the problems that affect them; and enable children and parents to be active participants in the therapeutic process.
Penny describes how practice with children who experience mental health difficulties has evolved from a focus on mother-child attachment, towards broader explorations of the systems and connections that shape a child’s life. She discusses the need to engage families from the outset, so that therapy is seen as a place where children’s ideas, values, knowledge and preferences are brought to the fore.
Penny shares her strategies for providing children with choice early in therapy sessions, so that they are supported to have control throughout the process. These strategies also show children that therapy can be fun. Penny also describes how she helps parents to understand their role in supporting the child’s best life.
In this episode you will learn: * what the ‘best life’ approach means and what it can help the therapist to focus on in their engagements with children (06:04) * effective engagement practices that can help children to feel less anxious or reluctant to talk with a therapist, and that set the scene for collaborative and child-focused practices (07:50) * how Penny describes the ‘best life’ approach in her work with children and parents (08:57) * how therapists can give children control or choice during the initial engagement phase of therapy, so that they can become more confident and energised (11:55) * how the ‘best life’ model can be used to enhance a clinical assessment with a child (17:12).
Supporting resource: * Helping children to live their 'best life' - part 2 podcast: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/podcast/helping-children-to-live-their-best-life-part-2/
Dr Gill Murphy is a lecturer at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the Western Sydney University. She has worked as a mental health nurse for twenty years, with experience in forensic, in-patient, community and emergency mental health services. Her engagement with mental health research led her to found the Childhood Parental Death Ambassador Program.
As founder of the Childhood Parental Death Ambassador Program, Gill hopes to raise awareness around the needs and experiences of children when a parent is dying or has died, and to really make children visible within that process. As part of this, the program has delivered the Childhood Death Study, in which they interviewed adults who'd experienced the death of a parent during their childhood.
The study found that a lack of information provided to children during and after their parent’s death meant that they often thought about it in distressing or unhelpful ways. Additionally, it found that children were often not supported to celebrate or remember their parent’s legacy, causing them to lose touch with the supporting and nurturing rituals they had enjoyed with that parent.
In this episode of the Emerging Minds podcast, Gill discusses the need for practitioners to develop preparedness in their work with children who have lost a parent, and to be able to have conversations with them that are supportive and reconnecting.
In this episode you will learn:
Learning 1 (01:30) the key objectives of the Childhood Parental Death Ambassador Program.
Learning 2 (02:36) the key findings of the Childhood Death Study, and what these mean for any practitioner working with a child whose parent is dying or has died.
Learning 3 (04:17) the effects of secrecy or a lack of information on children’s ability to positively think about their deceased parent, and to stay connected with their legacy.
Learning 4 (09:53) what some services are doing to actively involve children in memory making when a parent is dying or has recently died.
Learning 5 (17:44) how practitioners can overcome anxiety to talk to children in ways that are supportive and attentive, and to ensure they are listening to what the child needs at the time.
Children and young people have historically been seen as passive and incapable of participating in the decisions that affect their lives. But as society has become more aware of child’s rights and the importance of inclusive citizenship, opportunities have arisen for children to become involved and considered in decision-making processes.
Dr Ben Lohmeyer is a writer, researcher and lecturer in social policy at Flinders University. Much of his work has focused on children and young people, and popular discourse which has minimised or disqualified their potential contributions to social policy. In this episode of the Emerging Minds podcast, he discusses society’s ‘exclusionary’ attitudes towards children and young people, and looks at the ways in which practitioners, organisations and institutions can collaborate with children to make their views, preferences, hopes and concerns a central part of decision-making and problem-solving approaches. Ben is interested in the ways that children and young people have become increasingly involved in activism – around climate change, for example. He believes there are still many ways that children’s voices get minimised or disqualified by society but is deeply interested in the ways that children have persevered and been able to make protest, despite these obstacles.
In his work as a social policy lecturer, Ben is committed to the ethic of inclusion. This moves away from the traditional, ‘banking’ notion of teaching, where wisdom and truth are owned by the teacher (or the most powerful), towards learning strategies that focus on the student’s own know-how, reflections and preferences. In this way, Ben hopes that these future social workers will themselves favor practices with children and young people that are based on principles of co-creation and privileging the child’s voice.
In this episode you will learn: * the dangers of excluding children’s voices from important decisions like social policy, overcoming problems, or creating safe and nurturing spaces (05:59) * how moving towards more participatory teaching and service intervention models can benefit children and enhance your engagements with them (10:49) * how the voices of people with lived experience are now being prioritised in research and co-design processes (21:18) * how to create spaces for children and young people to provide feedback; and the importance of adults being able to accept feedback that might be difficult to hear, or uncomfortable, or even unexpected (27:32) * the importance of understanding the different ways of communicating that children and young people have, and using their own reference points, rather than judging them from your own point of view (32:18).
In this episode of the Emerging Minds podcast, Bill Wilson and Chris Dolman discuss how working within a narrative therapy framework can support connections and resilience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Bill Wilson is a narratively trained Social and Emotional Wellbeing Worker, while Chris Dolman is a narrative therapist and Senior Workforce Development Officer at Emerging Minds. In this conversation, they reflect on their experiences of using narrative therapy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to facilitate a two-way learning discussion.
Bill discusses his work with Aboriginal men in the prison system, and how a curious, strengths-based approach has helped him to understand the values, skills and knowledge that can at times be overshadowed by problem stories. Chris speaks about his work as a non-Indigenous practitioner, and how important it is to position himself not as an expert in the lives of his clients, but as someone wanting to understand that person, beyond the reach of the problem story.
In this episode you will learn: * how people are ‘double-storied’, and how focusing only on the problem story misses the strengths and knowledge people come with (00:41) * the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections and kinship for healing (01:50) * how the concept of ‘family’ can look very different in different places and communities (15:34) * how when families have the chance to discuss and identify their practices of strength and resilience, it becomes more possible to replicate them in the future (19:45).
Further information and resources:
e-learning courses:
https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/online-course/using-aboriginal-cultural-knowledge-systems/ https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/online-course/working-with-first-nations-families-and-children-a-framework-for-understanding/
Exploring narrative practices to support children and families https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/exploring-stories-of-hope/#exploring-narrative-practice-to-support-children-families-and-communities
Exploring stories of hope
https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/exploring-stories-of-hope/
This episode is the second in a two-part series exploring work with women and children who have experienced trauma and disadvantage throughout their lives (you can find the first episode here). In this episode, we speak with Lisa Hofman and Gaby Munro, who work with mothers and their children (under the age of eight) while they undergo treatment for substance use.
Many of the children who attend the Jarrah House residential treatment service have experienced child protection involvement and past trauma, and are affected by developmental or behavioural issues. In this conversation, Lisa and Gaby explore the impacts of significant adversity and child removal on mothers and their children, and share examples of ways children may behave following experiences of trauma.
Lisa and Gaby also share how they strengthen and rebuild the mother-child relationship and reduce child protection risk by: * increasing the mother’s emotional availability to her child * transforming how mothers think about and understand their children * helping mothers to respond better to their children’s cues; and * showing mothers how to delight in their children
Gaby describes how she uses reflexive practice and modelling to help parents consider what their child is feeling, in order to better understand and respond to them. Lisa discusses how mothers are supported with emotional regulation and distress tolerance, and how this growing ‘mindful awareness’ helps them to respond to their child from a calmer space.
In this episode you will learn: * about the developmental issues that affect many of the children at Jarrah House, as a consequence of past trauma, domestic violence, or parental substance use [2:59] * how Lisa and Gaby used the Key to Interactive Parenting Scale to help a mother recognise her child’s cues and the ways that she offered her child warmth and recognition, so that she could replicate that behaviour more consistently [6:03] * the importance of treating the child as a client, as well as the mother, in services like Jarrah House, and the difference this can make for a child [10:32] * how Lisa and Gaby use the Circle of Security approach to focus on the importance of routines and help children and mothers feel safer and more confident [16:05].
Further information and resources:
KIT Menu
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 mind in telehealth service delivery (18:19) * Suggestions for practitioners new to telehealth (24:22)
Further information and resources:
A practical guide to working with children and families through telehealth: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/a-practical-guide-to-working-with-children-and-families-through-telehealth/
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 that are supportive of their mental health as well as what’s important to consider in relation to maintaining routines during home isolation.
In this episode you will learn: * Why talking to children about the coronavirus pandemic is important (03:49) * What support babies and toddlers are needing (10:16) * What to consider in terms of the way parents’ mental health may be impacting on the wellbeing of their children (18:08) * What to consider in maintaining routines under isolation (22:00) * How news and media might be impacting children (23:14)
Further information and resources: * Video: Talking to children about natural disasters, traumatic events, or worries about the future * Factsheet: Communicating with your child about COVID-19 * Factsheet: Helping children cope with stress during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak * Factsheet: Traumatic events, the media and your child * Guide and tools: Coronavirus (COVID-19): family guide – raisingchildren.net.au * Factsheet: How to talk to your children about coronavirus (COVID-19) * Website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – healthdirect.gov.au * Podcast: The power of play
Women who have experienced trauma and disadvantage throughout their lives are much more likely to develop mental health difficulties and substance use issues. This can seriously affect their ability to parent in safe and consistent ways, and can have significant negative impacts on children.
In the first episode of this two-part podcast series, Christine Watson, Clinical Director at Kamira Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Services, talks about Kamira’s rehabilitation work with women experiencing substance use, and their children.
At Kamira, practitioners are interested in the contextual reasons that have made it more difficult for women to parent in safe and nurturing ways. Kamira’s residents are generally affected by their own experiences of trauma, as well as cultural, institutional and social discrimination. Many have also had children removed from their custody. Christine discusses how she and her staff work with these women on ways to provide safe and consistent care for their child. She also explores their strategies for helping women overcome historical issues which have prevented them from providing this care.
At the same time, Kamira’s programs focus on children’s mental health and wellbeing needs, in ways that can help enhance the lives of both mothers and children. Christine discusses the importance of therapeutic interventions that encourage women to see their children’s needs as a motivation for change. She considers how this focus can reduce the negative effects of stigma, and allow women to develop practical strategies for safe and secure parenting.
In this episode you will learn: * about the background of trauma, institutional and social discrimination experienced by many of the women in substance use programs, and the impact intergenerational disadvantage has on the lives of these women and their children [1:06] * how to talk with women about their parenting in ways which avoid stigma, build trust and joy in the parent-child relationship, and help women to recognise the possibilities for change [8:32] * how to help mothers understand their children’s experience, focusing on what the child might be feeling, thinking, or observing, and offering practical examples of how to support the communication between mother and child [14:55] * the importance of routine in the lives of children and mothers, and how strong routines can be the key to establishing safer and more consistent environments for children [20:41].
Every child’s experience of disability will be different, depending on a number of interrelated factors. Many professionals now understand that a child’s ‘level of disability’ depends upon how well their support networks and community can accommodate and respond to them, rather than the child’s physical, medical or emotional condition itself.
While not all challenging behaviours are related to mental health concerns, many are. It is important to recognise that behaviour can be a way (sometimes the only way) that a child can communicate their distress. Children’s wellbeing can be supported by working to understand the unique ways in which each child communicates their inner world, and by recognising that mental health concerns can appear different in many children living with disability.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our child and family partners, Chris, Lisa and Jacqui for taking the time to share their wisdom and expertise with us.
In this episode you will learn: * how taking a family-centred approach will support children’s social and emotional development by recognising and supporting their significant relationships * how taking a communication-focused approach can assist with early recognition and effective responses to any emerging mental health concerns.
Further information and resources:
Parent voices: Supporting children with disability - part one Understanding child mental health and disability (e-learning course)
Children are shaped and influenced by a range of individual, social and environmental factors, all of which go into making the ‘whole child’. Children living with disability experience the same range of emotions as every other child; and their mental health and wellbeing are influenced by the same factors as other children’s.
Parents and professionals might see a child’s social and emotional wellbeing, communication, and behaviour as just an outcome of their disability. But children living with disability can experience positive mental health too. It is important to support children living with disability to express their hopes, preferences, and concerns, just like all children.
We would like to acknowledge and thank our child and family partners, Chris, Lisa and Jacqui for taking the time to share their wisdom and expertise with us.
In this episode you will learn: * how deeply parents who have children with disability understand their children’s unique needs, how fiercely they love them, and how by listening to and reflecting on their stories, we can learn a great deal about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children with disability * how a child-focused approach encourages professionals to focus on the ‘whole child’, including their strengths, hopes and abilities, rather than just their physical and medical needs * how children’s social and emotional wellbeing can be supported by creating space for them to explore and express aspects of their lives other than disability; and * how living with disability can provide children with the opportunity to nurture a range of strengths and abilities. These can include positive qualities such as being loving and affectionate, being persistent, and being adaptable, resilient and determined.
Further information and resources:
Parent voices: Supporting children with disability - part two Understanding child mental health and disability (e-learning course)
In this podcast, you will hear how Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY) practitioners – both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous – provide a whole-of-family, holistic approach. Guests Colleen Lovegrove and Diana Uribe describe some of the strategies, practices and tools that form the foundations of support when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children who may be experiencing family and domestic violence.
Aunty Colleen is a proud Ngarrindjeri woman who recently retired after 15 years in the field of domestic violence. Her most recent role has been as a case worker at KWY. Diana is an accredited mental health social worker and former Operations Manager at KWY.
In this episode, you will learn: * the importance of building trust when working with families experiencing family violence [17.28] * the importance of listening and giving space for silence [14.05] * why you need to be flexible in interventions and able to move with the ebbs and flows of the family you’re supporting [17:17] * the kinds of practical supports you may need to provide when working with children and families experiencing family violence [16:20]
Further information and resources:
Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in healing family violence framework guide: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/honouring-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voices-in-healing-family-violence/
Craig Rigney is the CEO of KWY, a specialist Aboriginal family violence organisation that provides holistic wrap-around services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children who are experiencing family violence.
In this podcast you will hear how KWY walks alongside families to provide a holistic family model of care. Craig discusses how culture and other strengths are used to ensure a family-led approach that is based on self-determination. He also shares how KWY has embedded strategies that engage with, and listen to, the views of children, families and practitioners to improve outcomes.
In this episode you will learn: * why there is a need for family-led decision making when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families [03:42] * the importance of self-determination in the provision of specialist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family violence interventions [08:37] * the importance of taking time and building relationships when engaging with families who are experiencing family violence [15:24] * how to apply a holistic model of social and emotional wellbeing when providing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families [17:19].
Further information and resources: KWY: https://www.kwy.org.au/
Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in healing family violence framework guide: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/honouring-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voices-in-healing-family-violence/
In this episode, Sue-Anne Hunter talks about her work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the out-of-home care system. She provides an insight into strategies practitioners and carers can use to help support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow and thrive, with a strong cultural identity and connection to culture.
Sue-Anne is a Yoo-rrook Justice Commissioner and has worked in the Aboriginal child and family welfare sector for over 20 years. In this episode she shares some of the challenges within the system, and how understanding culture and connection as a protective factor will help non-Aboriginal practitioners in their work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
In this episode you will learn:
- the challenges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families face when entering the child protection system [00:07:31]
- how family and kinship connections can strengthen and support cultural identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care [00:14:43]
- strategies and tools based on a cultural framework which will assist practitioners and carers in their support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the out-of-home care system [00:32:29]
Further information and resources:
Family Matters Report 2020: https://www.familymatters.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/FamilyMattersReport2020_LR.pdf
SNAICC Understanding and applying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle: https://www.snaicc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Understanding_apply
In this episode, Aboriginal Elder Millie Penny shares her story of resilience, and how she has fought (and continues to fight) to support the needs of Aboriginal children.
Millie is joined by Carol Michie of Telethon Kids, who shares how Millie’s knowledge and that of a group of Elders in WA has guided the Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort (Our Children, Our Heart) project.
Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort designs and develops locally-based early years programs and interventions for the wellbeing of Aboriginal children in Western Australia. The project focuses on identifying the foundations for raising strong, healthy children – the values, priorities and beliefs around child-rearing and the factors considered critical to building children’s health, confidence and resilience.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of including the voice and wisdom of Elders when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities * strategies from the Ngulluk Koolunga Ngulluk Koort project, and how the team used cultural protocols and processes to support a community-driven initiative * the importance of cultural identity and cultural practices to support the wellbeing of Aboriginal children, including language, connection to Country, kinship and Community.
Further information and resources:
Empowering Parents and Carers to Improve Cultural Security in Early Education Settings research project: https://www.telethonkids.org.au/our-research/brain-and-behaviour/mental-health-and-youth/aboriginal-health-and-wellbeing/ngulluk-koolunga-ngulluk-koort/empowering-carers-improve-cultural-security/
Research findings: https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/images/pagessections/research/nknk/documents/research-findings-final-2020.pdf
A resource to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's cultural needs in early education and care: https://www.telethonkids.org.au/globalassets/media/images/pagessections/research/nknk/documents/nk-nk---parent-carers-resource_final-printable.pdf
Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in healing family violence framework guide: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/honouring-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voices-in-healing-family-violence/
In this podcast, Catherine Chamberlain talks about the journey she and her team has been on, in developing culturally-based supports for mothers who maybe be experiencing complex trauma during the perinatal period.
Catherine currently leads a large community-based participatory action research project called ‘Healing the Past by Nurturing the Future’. The project aims to co-design perinatal awareness, recognition, assessment and support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents experiencing complex childhood trauma.
Catherine speaks of the strengths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parenting practices, and how practitioners may value these strengths in their parental support strategies.
In this episode you will learn: * the importance of including a cultural foundation in co-design research [24:37] * the deep wisdom Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have in nurturing and parenting practices, and how practitioners may value this wisdom in their engagements with families experiencing complex trauma [23:04] * to understand complex trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and how this may impact the perinatal period [14:25] * how to understand attachment through the cultural lens of connectedness [18:02]
Further information and resources:
Healing the past by nurturing the future research project: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/jlc/research/healing-the-past/research
Growing up children in two worlds project: http://growingupyolngu.com.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&p=128&l=1&id=48
First 1000 days Australia: https://www.first1000daysaustralia.com/our-story
Honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in healing family violence framework guide: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/honouring-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-voices-in-healing-family-violence/
Dr Pamela Douglas is a general practitioner and medical director of Possums & Co., a charity which educates health professionals in evidence-based neuroprotective developmental care, including the Possums Baby and Toddler Sleep Program. Pamela is an adjunct associate professor with the Maternal Newborn and Families Research Group at Griffith University, and Senior Lecturer with the Primary Care Clinical Unit at The University of Queensland. She is also the author of The discontented little baby book: all you need to know about feeds, sleep and crying.
In a society where one third of parents seek help regarding their baby’s sleep, Pamela has spent her career researching ways to support babies and parents to develop effective and nurturing sleeping habits. She has worked with parents to develop evidence-based neuroprotective developmental care as a crucial understanding in providing responsive or cued care for babies.
An important part of Pamela’s work has focused on how babies can initiate and participate in a synchronised relationship with their mother. Pamela works with parents to synchronise their sleep as much as possible with the patterns of the baby. Pamela discusses parents’ anxiety in creating regimented and formulated sleep times, and how she has attempted to shift the focus on enjoying awake times with babies and the creation of rich and enjoyable sensory experiences.
In this episode, we discuss what the latest insights from neuroscience, anthropology and maternal and infant research tell us about infants’ needs around sleep, and how sleep can become a more harmonious experience for families.
In this episode you will learn: * why the responsive or cued care of our babies is important if we are to optimise developmental outcomes and secure attachment [5:09] * the key principles of the first wave behavioural approach to babies’ sleep, and how these might affect a parent’s ability to experiment with sleep times and patterns [9:22] * how to trust a baby’s sleep regulators and focus on providing the baby with rich and changing sensory input [19:47] * how an evolutionary context helps us to understand what babies and parents need to enjoy positive sleep patterns [26:16]
How can the voices of people with lived experience be authentically incorporated into resource and service design?
This episode continues the conversation from part 1, exploring the process of co-design through the case study of Emerging Minds’ practice paper, Supporting children and families: How does co-design invite us to think differently? Child and family partner coordinator, Lydia Trowse is once again joined by co-authors Jason Tyndale (child and family partner), Jackie Amos (psychiatrist), and Rhys Price-Robertson (researcher). Together, they reflect on their experiences and share advice for people looking to integrate co-design into their work with children and families.
In this episode you will learn: * the value of authentic human relationships [02:00] * strategies for managing disagreements or conflict [06:02] * about the need to balance different perspectives [07:00] * how to balance power [14:05] * how co-design processes might help families and children more broadly [27:00]
Further information and resources:
Supporting children and families: How does co-design invite us to think differently? - practice paper: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/supporting-children-and-families-how-does-co-design-invite-us-to-think-differently/
In this conversation, we explore the process of co-design through the case study of Emerging Minds’ practice paper, Supporting children and families: How does co-design invite us to think differently? Child and family partner coordinator, Lydia Trowse is joined by co-authors Jason Tyndale (child and family partner), Jackie Amos (psychiatrist), and Rhys Price-Robertson (researcher) to discuss how the process of co-design informed the conceptualisation, design and development of this resource, and to share practical tips for people looking to integrate co-design into their work with children and families.
In this episode you will learn: * how removing your ‘expert hat’ can allow for authentic engagement [4:00] * the value of stepping away from traditional roles and instead meeting as people [11:20] * how co-design can be achieved when organisational constraints exist [18:32] * how to support people with lived experience throughout the co-design process [20:22] * the importance of acknowledging and balancing power [28:28] * tips to incorporate children’s voices in your work [30:43]
Further information and resources:
Supporting children and families: How does co-design invite us to think differently? - paper: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/supporting-children-and-families-how-does-co-design-invite-us-to-think-differently/
In this episode, we are joined by Danielle Abbott from The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI). Dani has worked with TACSI for 10 years, exploring innovative ways of working with tough and complex issues. She is the Quality Implementation Lead for Family by Family and the Virtual Village programs, which have been codesigned with families for families. These programs combine the lived experiences of families with proven social theory and evidence-based practice to create confidence, self-agency and resilience for participants. Families that have been involved attest to the programs’ helpfulness in shifting the negative effects of intergenerational disadvantage.
Dani describes the issues that families with experiences of intergenerational disadvantage face and the impacts it has on children’s mental health and wellbeing and on parents and parenting. She discusses the type of deeply human and compassionate therapeutic relationship that will support practitioners to truly walk alongside families and help effect deep and long-term change. Dani also shares some of the key things that are helpful for practitioners to know about in supporting families to ‘chip away’ at cycles of intergenerational disadvantage, based on her many years of experience.
Though it deals with a difficult issue, this episode is inspirational and optimistic, providing real-life examples of families experiencing intergenerational disadvantage and some of the significant changes they have made.
In this episode you will learn: * how trauma and toxic stress impact on the child and intergenerational cycles [00:07] * how to develop authentic therapeutic relationships and compassionate, trauma-informed practice [09:38] * the importance of personal agency, supportive relationships, modeling of parenting skills and interactions, and taking a strengths-based approach [16:00] * how to support parents and children with emotional regulation [23:19] * the importance of early intervention and support to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma. [37:37]
Further information and resources: Intergenerational Mental Health e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/intergenerational-mental-health
The impact of trauma on the child e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/the-impact-of-trauma-on-the-child
Supporting infants and toddlers e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/supporting-infants-and-toddlers
The impact of parental substance use on the child e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child
Parental substance use and child-aware practice e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/parental-substance-use-and-child-aware-practice
The impact of family and domestic violence on the child e-learning course https://learning.emergingminds.com.au/course/the-impact-of-family-and-domestic-violence-on-the-child
Family and domestic violence and child-awa
In this episode, Rachel describes how she has developed schema therapy and understandings of attachment to help parents and children in her practice, particularly those who experience high sensitivity. Rachel’s work is informed by research which suggests that 31% of people fall into the highly sensitive category, and that high sensitivity makes people more aware and reactive to the environment around them.
In her practice, Rachel has helped parents and children to reflect on how they react in stressful or worrying situations, and how this might affect their relationships and mental health. She is careful to explore both the strengths and vulnerabilities that are associated with high sensitivity, in ways that can help make parents and children more aware of their reactions to certain events and to support co-regulation.
Rachel describes the connection between unstable environments for children with high sensitivity and poorer mental health outcomes in the short and long term. She believes that practitioners who are attuned to the specific needs of children with high sensitivity are well placed to work with children and parents to develop shared understandings of their support needs.
In this episode you will learn: * what high sensitivity is, how common it is, and how it can affect children and parents [7:28] * how an understanding of high sensitivity can help practitioners and parents to better support children's wellbeing, and how this relates to mental health [14:06] * some of the signs of high sensitivity in children [24:53] * messages that will support parents to help their child with high sensitivity to flourish [28:13]
Further information and resources:
Autism, neurodiversity, and child-centred practice - part 1 - Emerging Minds Autism, neurodiversity, and child-centred practice - part 2 - Emerging Minds Supporting children through understanding regulation - part 1 - Emerging Minds Supporting children through understanding regulation - part 2 - Emerging Minds
How do speech pathologists support the needs of children who’ve experienced complex trauma? In this conversation with Kate Headley, a speech pathologist in the Links Trauma Healing Service in NSW, we explore her role in a multidisciplinary team that supports children with complex trauma living in out-of-home care. Before working at Links, Kate spent many years working in the disability sector in rural and remote NSW and combines speech pathology with her work as a primary school teacher.
In part 2 of this series, we continue exploring the approaches Kate uses to ensure her work is child-centred and that the child’s own goals lead the direction of therapy. She also elaborates on the role speech pathology plays in delivery of a multidisciplinary complex trauma service.
In this episode you will learn: * more about building trust in the first session * how to identify what it is the child would like to improve * the importance of checking in with the child about how things are going * the role of speech pathology in a multidisciplinary team
How do speech pathologists support the needs of children who’ve experienced complex trauma? In this conversation with Kate Headley, a speech pathologist in the Links Trauma Healing Service in NSW, we explore her role in a multidisciplinary team that supports children with complex trauma living in out-of-home care. Before working at Links, Kate spent many years working in the disability sector in rural and remote NSW and combines speech pathology with her work as a primary school teacher.
In part 1 of this two-part series, we explore the role of speech pathology in a complex trauma service and examples of the way Kate works with children in the first session to create a safe and collaborative relationship.
In this episode you will learn: * about the Links Trauma Healing Service research project * what is complex trauma? * the role of speech pathology in supporting children who’ve experienced complex trauma * what is important to establish in the first session
How can we simplify the complex topic of child development to support earlier identification of children who need specialist support? Susan Pagel and her colleagues tackled this question in creating the Red Flags Guide. A tool to help parents and practitioners have conversations about children’s development, the Guide provides a simple framework for identifying concerns that might need referral to a developmental service.
There are two versions of the Guide; one for children aged 0-5 years (the Red Flags Early Identification Guide), and one for school-aged children six years and older (the Red Flags School-aged Guide). This conversation with Susan focuses on the more recent development of the school-aged guide.
Susan Pagel leads a team of integrated multidisciplinary child development service staff within Brisbane metropolitan area. She is the creator of the Red Flags School-aged Guide and co-chair of the Child Development Sub-Network. Susan graduated from a Bachelor of Speech Pathology over 20 years ago and has worked in paediatrics in rural and remote Queensland, the United Kingdom, and Brisbane.
Susan found working in the child development service at Queensland Children’s Hospital highlighted the difficulties in identifying developmental challenges in school-aged children (6-17 years), especially when there are co-morbid mental health and medical complexities. The need for a school-aged version of the Red Flags Guide became apparent, leading to a collaborative project to create a resource for health professionals to support identification of school-aged children with developmental challenges.
In this episode you will learn: * the history behind developing the Red Flags School-aged Guide [05:00] * the challenge of identifying developmental concerns in older children [10:24] * how to differentiate between developmental and mental health concerns [12:50] * why it’s important to be aware of certain transition periods where children can present with more challenges [16:38]
Further information and resources: The Red Flags Early Identification Guide is available here: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/red-flags.pdf
The Red Flags School-aged Guide is available here: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/red-flags-school-aged-blank-contact-details.pdf
The Pink Book is available here: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/PDF/pink-book.pdf
Throughout this interview, we investigate the many roles Shame can play in a child’s life. We look at how they can help children develop an understanding of what they think is right and wrong, and of how to cooperate with others.
While Shame can be a positive influence in a child’s life, they can also become overwhelming for children who are living in unsafe or violent situations, particularly when influenced by Self-blame and Guilt. This is the case for Ellie, an eight-year-old girl who is witnessing much of the physical and verbal violence being perpetrated by her dad towards her mum. Ellie’s dad has become very critical of Ellie, accusing her of being too reliant on her mum. This has started to make Ellie believe she is responsible for the violence and uncertainty in their home, and has led Ellie to call upon Shame more and more in her daily life.
Shame speaks about the supports that can make Ellie feel less guilt or self-blame about her home life, like her grandmother who visits her from out of town. But ultimately, when Ellie’s grandmother leaves, she returns to many of the negative messages that are reinforced when her dad becomes violent. To find the right amount of shame in her life, Ellie needs more supportive adults like her grandmother to focus on her strengths, teach her how to talk about what she’s feeling, and to talk about the ‘big secrets’ like family and domestic violence so Ellie no longer has to make up her own understandings.
In this episode you will learn:
- how Shame can support children to be caring, co-operative and to get along with others [1:07]
- how children like Ellie can come to over-rely on Shame when they are witnessing violent behaviour at home or receiving negative messages from a parent [3:32]
- how Shame can be foremost in a child’s life when they are experiencing violence, repeating unhelpful and negative messages to the child [5:10]
- t
In this interview with Resilience, we investigate how they can ‘turn setbacks into comebacks’ in the lives of children, and how adults can support their work. We ask about the many different factors that help them thrive, both those that are part of a child’s personality and their local ecology; and the challenges that children have in staying connected to Resilience when they experience trauma.
Our interview is with 11-year-old Jenny’s Resilience. Jenny has been through several foster homes since being removed from the care of her biological parents when she was young, due to ongoing abuse. For Jenny, the experiences of abuse and neglect and the separation from her family have had a huge impact on her life and how she feels about herself and the world. She is often very hard on herself and spends a lot of time focusing on what she does wrong.
Jenny’s Resilience discusses the many ways in which they have worked with Jenny to get through tough situations. They discuss Jenny’s persistence in maintaining a close and nurturing relationship with her little sister, and her determination to stand up for what’s right. Resilience shares some of the ways in which Jenny’s psychologist is helping her to shift her negative self-perceptions and identify her strengths, and how this is helping to make her relationship with Resilience even stronger. They also discuss the crucial role adults play in helping children notice their skills and know-how.
In this episode you will learn: * the many factors that determine how present Resilience can become in the life of a child [1:44] * the ways in which Resilience can help children practice protest in their lives when they see things that aren’t fair, and the important role that adults have in noticing this protest [4:19] * how supportive adults can help Resilience in children’s lives and help them to notice their values, skills and know-how [9:45] * some of the ways in which professionals can help children notice their strengths, shift their negative perceptions about themselves and further develop their Resilience [14:05]
In this candid interview, Secrecy shares the role they play in preventing children from accessing the services they need after experiencing sexual abuse. They discuss the history of their role in suppressing community awareness of child sexual abuse, and the ways in which they deprive children and adults of the information they need to prevent and respond to abuse.
Secrecy shares with us their concerns regarding the developing practice skills of many professionals who help children to disclose their abuse, and to recover from the effects. However, Secrecy still has many tricks up their sleeve to prevent practice confidence and competence in encouraging and responding to disclosures of abuse, such as convincing practitioners ‘not to open a can of worms.’
Secrecy also explores the long-term implications for children’s mental health if they do not access the support that they need, and explains how they work together with Self-blame and Shame to ensure poorer relationship, educational, financial and health outcomes for victims of abuse.
In this episode you will learn: * how Secrecy tricks children into believing they should keep child sexual abuse to themselves, and how perpetrators help Secrecy to prevent disclosures [1:34] * the tricks that Secrecy uses to take away children’s voices [3:15] * the difference that it can make for children when adults shine a light on Secrecy, and help children have important conversations about safety [5:50] * how Shame and Self-blame convince children that they don’t deserve support for their experience of abuse, and that the abuse was their fault [12:15]
Further information and resources:
Emerging Minds Learning Making use of practitioners’ skills to support a child who has been sexually abused - Emerging Minds Responding to the challenge of child sexual abuse - Emerging Minds
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, and how a child focused approach can help to break intergenerational cycles of substance use as a coping mechanism for people with background histories of trauma and disadvantage.
In this episode you will learn: * Can substance use be used by mothers as a way to mask other issues, such as family violence or past trauma? (01:40) * The benefit of working directly with children who are affected by substance use in their family (13:52) * What does inclusive family practice look like with parents who are using substances? (16:07)
Further information and resource: * E-learning: Parental substance use and child-aware practice, principles and practices https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/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.frmdv.com/online-course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child-foundation/
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.frmdv.com/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.frmdv.com/online-course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child-foundation/
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 summary: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/covid-19-resource-summary/
Managing routines for children during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/managing-routines-for-children-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Resources for practitioners:
The long-term effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and what they might mean for practitioners: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/the-long-term-effects-of-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-and-what-they-mean-for-practitioners/
Bonus podcast episode: Children’s mental health during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/podcast/childrens-mental-health-during-covid-19/
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 Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyondblue on 1300 22 4636. If life is in danger, call 000.
In this episode you will learn: * the range of emotional presentations that may emerge in children post bushfires [03:41] * how learning communities and educators can be helpful in the immediate aftermath of a bushfire [12:04] * how to support children experiencing distress in a tailored and flexible way in the classroom [18:04] * the role of peer support in bushfire recovery [23:04] * the importance of normalising the whole spectrum of emotional responses post bushfire [25:01] * the role and power of youth-led recovery resources and workshops [29:40] * key messages for learning communities in their bushfire recovery [31:42]
Further information and resources:
Community Trauma Toolkit: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/toolkits/community-trauma-toolkit/
Trauma sensitive behaviour management: https://emergingminds.frmdv.com/resources/trauma-sensitive-behaviour-management/
More water than fire: A poster showing ways parents and carers can build safety with children touched by fire Children need to not feel alone: https://media.digistormhosting.com.au/woodleigh/content/MoreWaterThanFire.pdf?mtime=20200129130339
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 [12:32] * how to bring the principles of regulation into practice with children and families [16:54]
Further information and resources:
Podcast interview with Chris Cussen: A polyvagal approach to working with trauma: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/a-polyvagal-approach-to-working-with-trauma/
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-mapping and how to help children to understand their own regulation [16:18] * therapeutic use of self and the importance of safety cues [18:19] * what children need to develop healthy regulation [20:15]
Further information and resources:
Podcast interview with Chris Cussen: A polyvagal approach to working with trauma: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/a-polyvagal-approach-to-working-with-trauma/
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 [1:14] * how a biopsychosocial formulation help with understanding the needs of a child and family [9:50] * the difference between formulation and diagnosis [21:00] * the challenges GPs face in forming an understanding of a child’s mental health needs [27:33] * advice for completing a child mental health assessment [32:21]
Further information and resources:
A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/a-gp-framework-for-child-mental-health-assessment-5-12-years/
Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-childrens-resilience-in-general-practice/
Supporting child mental health in general practice with Dr Sara Whitburn podcast: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/supporting-child-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 members/stakeholders in a child’s life? [5:31] * How GPs can work with the team and what can get in the way of doing this work [6:37] * The role of the GP in referring children as part of the Better Access pathway [10:13] * How GPs can work with schools in a more collaborative way [16:30] * Advice and guidance to help GPs overcome challenges [18:40]
Further information and resources:
Additional 10 MBS mental health sessions during COVID-19 under the Better Access Pandemic Support measure updates from 9th October 2020 http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/240DC3AF97EEAF79CA2585BC00827909/$File/Factsheet-Practitioners-Mental-Health-Services-COVID-19.pdf
A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment e-Learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/a-gp-framework-for-child-mental-health-assessment-5-12-years/
Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice e-learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-childrens-resilience-in-general-practice/
Supporting child mental health in general practice with Dr Sara Whitburn podcast https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/supporting-child-mental-health-in-general-practice/
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 lack confidence in this area [10:04] * Transferable skills that can be applied in this work [11:32] * What a GP can do to start building their confidence [14:57]
Further information and resources:
A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment e-Learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/a-gp-framework-for-child-mental-health-assessment-5-12-years/
Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice e-learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-childrens-resilience-in-general-practice/
Supporting child mental health in general practice with Dr Sara Whitburn podcast https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/supporting-child-mental-health-in-general-practice/
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 a child-centred and family-focused approach to supporting the mental health needs of children [09:28] * what the key challenges for GPs in this area are [13:37] * advice and guidance to help GPs overcome these challenges [18:55]
Further information and resources:
A GP Framework for Child Mental Health Assessment e-Learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/a-gp-framework-for-child-mental-health-assessment-5-12-years/
Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice e-learning course https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/supporting-childrens-resilience-in-general-practice/
Supporting child mental health in general practice with Dr Sara Whitburn podcast https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/supporting-child-mental-health-in-general-practice/
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: * how to define what is meant by ‘child sexual abuse’ [07:42] * how sexual abuse differs from other forms of abuse and neglect [12:45] * what prevention looks like with young children [19:15] * how to open up the conversation about child sexual abuse [27:04] * what is important for practitioners to know about child sexual abuse [27:04] * how to make sense of 'red flags' [32:18] * how children are particularly vulnerable in online environments [37:46]
Further information and resources:
Responding to a disclosure of child sexual abuse: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/responding-to-a-disclosure-of-child-sexual-abuse/
Responding to children and young people's disclosures of abuse: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/responding-to-children-and-young-peoples-disclosures-of-abuse/
Making use of practitioners’ skills to support a child who has been sexually abused: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/making-use-of-practitioners-skills-to-support-a-child-who-has-been-sexually-abused/
Information and resources for parents on the Bravehearts website: https://bravehearts.org.au/what-we-do/education-and-training/for-parents/
Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure program: https://bravehearts.org.au/keepsafe
eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
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 episode you will learn: * about the Tuning in to Kids parenting program [06:20] * why understanding emotions is so important [09:50] * how to help parents identify their automatic reactions [12:28] * why it’s important to use minimal language when children are upset [17:25] * what changes were observed in the children and parents who took part in the Tuning in to Kids program [24:50].
Further information and resources:
Tuning in to Kids website
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’s development (19:59) * Ways for services and practitioners to engage fathers (23:18)
Further information and resources:
Support for Fathers website: https://supportforfathers.com.au
Engaging fathers in early childhood services: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/engaging-fathers-in-early-childhood-services
‘7 Types of Dad’ resource: https://supportforfathers.com.au/resources/just-about-dads/7-types-of-dad
‘Dads raising the next generation’: https://supportforfathers.com.au/resources/just-about-dads/dads-raising-the-next-generation
‘Introduction to working with men and family relationships’ guide: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/publications-articles/introduction-to-working-with-men-and-family-relationships-guide
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 mind in telehealth service delivery (18:19) * Suggestions for practitioners new to telehealth (24:22)
Further information and resources:
A practical guide to working with children and families through telehealth: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/a-practical-guide-to-working-with-children-and-families-through-telehealth/
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 speech and language development? [12:07]
- What happens when adults misinterpret speech, language, and communication difficulties? [20:52]
- Key messages for practitioners about children’s speech, language, and communication needs. [25:49]
- Interconnectedness of speech, language, and communication development and wellbeing. [28:22]
Further information and resources:
https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/
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 discuss the overlap between Autism, developmental trauma, and high sensitivity, and how practitioners might approach teasing these apart.
In this episode you will learn: * How well is the neurodiversity paradigm being taken up by practitioners and services? (02:21) * Key principles for practitioners supporting Autistic children (04:29) * Overlap between Autism, developmental trauma, and high sensitivity (09:38) * Suggestions for child-centred practice with Autistic children (13:05) * Ways to help Autistic children navigate a largely non-Autistic world (15:51)
Further information and resources:
Autism, neurodiversity, and child-centred practice - part 1: https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/autism-neurodiversity-and-child-centred-practice-part-1/
5 Messages for My Younger Autistic Self: Things we wish we had known while growing up undiagnosed with autism: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/insights-about-autism/202003/5-messages-my-younger-autistic-self 5 Messages for My Younger Autistic Self
Reframing Professional Language Around Autism in Practice: A practical guide to using respectful language in the professional context: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/insights-about-autism/202006/reframing-professional-language-around-autism-in-practice
Read about the personal stories of people of all ages with Autism here: https://www.icannetwork.com.au/humans-2019/ Visit the resources page of Reframing Autism for a range of information on topics from stimming to wellbeing: https://www.reframingautism.com.au/resources/
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 presents (10:23)
- Why Autism can be missed in girls
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,<
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
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.
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
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,
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
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
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 <
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
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
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/
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 (10:30) * The role of communication in positive divorce and separation experiences (12:37) * Understanding the importance of home from the child’s perspective (18:13) * Key messages for practitioners about positive parental separation (27:04)
Further information:
https://www.relationships.org.au/relationship-advice/publications/what-about-the-children Being child-centred: a guide for parents who are separating or separated
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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and the skills and knowledge that is needed to engage with rural and remote communities.
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 about:
- defining culturally informed, trauma-integrated healing practice (02:01)
- understanding a child’s world as an important step for non-Indigenous practitioners in this work (09:48)
- taking time to establish safe and connected relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who experience the effects of intergenerational trauma (21:58); and
- the behaviour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as a language. The importance of non-Indigenous practitioners listening to and interpreting this language in a non-judgmental and safe way (28:33).
Further information and resources:
- https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/ctg-rs21.pdf
- https://wealli.com.au/
- https://healingfoundation.org.au/intergenerational-trauma/ourfuture/
- https://beaconhouse.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The-Three-Rs.pdf
The preferred terminology used by Emerging Minds in our resources is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as guided by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Consultancy Group.
In this episode, Judy and Caroline share information, concepts, practical skills and suggestions that can support mainstream professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families/communities. Through storytelling, they share the healing practice’s that have supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 about:
- relationships and trust as a foundation (07:48)
- the generational history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and the effects of intergenerational trauma (15:02)
- the creative use of arts in story and play as an effective tool in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families (35:50); and
- the effect childhood trauma has on children’s behaviour and responses (30:58).
Further information and resources:
https://earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/files/ctg-rs21.pdf
https://wealli.com.au/
https://healingfoundation.org.au/intergenerational-trauma/ourfuture/
The assimilation policy in Australia’s history has left deep scars, the intergenerational trauma felt by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the Stolen Generations 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
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 and implement strategies that support healing from a bottom-up approach. One of the key messages Nancy talks about is the importance of understanding diversity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Nancy also provides examples for practitioners of how two-way learning has supported practitioners in their engagements and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
In this episode you will learn about:
- the diverse experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (5.00)
- the ongoing experience of grief and loss faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (08:00)
- the strength and resilience within communities (17:00); and
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 violence.
- The many facets of safety considerations when working with mothers living with family violence.
- Two key areas of conversation with fathers are asking what is important to them as a parent, and inviting him to be considering the impact of his violence and abuse on the children.
Further information and resources:
e-Learning courses
- The Impact of FDV on the Child: An introduction
- FDV and Child Aware Practice: Principles and Practice
Podcasts
- Family and Domestic Violence and Child Aware Practice Part 1
- Child aware practice in families where there is violence
- Engaging fathers who use violence
Webinars
- Child-focused approaches when working with parents affected by family and domestic violence
- Engaging mothers and children affected by fami
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 and the mother-child relationship can inform practitioner’s curiosity when working with parents and children.
- Non-blaming conversations with mothers about the effects of violence on their children are vital, challenging as possible.
- Conversations with mothers about their preferred parenting practices can also support child aware practice.
Further information and resources:
e-Learning courses
- The Impact of FDV on the Child: An introduction
- FDV and Child Aware Practice: Principles and Practice
Podcasts
- Family and Domestic Violence and Child Aware Practice Part 2
- Child aware practice in families where there is violence
- Engaging fathers who use violence
Webinars
- Child-focused approaches when working with parents affected by family and domestic violence
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 (24:26)
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
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) * Role of organisational culture in supporting culturally competent practice (23:23)
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-sensitive practice looks like (12:44) * What services can do to promote inclusivity with rainbow families (23:32)
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)
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 Introduction
Engaging fathers who use violence podcast
Child-focused social work practice in the context of family and domestic violence: Understanding the impact of male violence
Keeping children visible in practice responses to family and domestic violence
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 refugee children and adolescents in Australia: outcomes from wave three of the Building a New Life in Australia study * Cohort Profile: Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA): the longitudinal study of humanitarian migrants
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 mobilised 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/app/uploads/2018/08/SMART-Discussion-Paper-18.pdf
- Stephen Porges’ website:https://www.stephenporges.com/articles
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 disaster or community trauma
Community Trauma Toolkit
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
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
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
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 of language to the issue of gender diversity (10:13)
- What child-focused and parent-sensitive practice looks like in the Gender Service (21:00)
- How practitioners can best support trans or gender diverse children and their parents (30:25)
Further information and resources:
The RCH Gender Service website
Australian Professional Association for Trans Health website
Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines: For trans and gender diverse children and adolescents More from Emerging Minds: Supporting trans and gender diverse children and their families Creating a welcoming and safe organisation for trans and gender diverse children and their families: A checklist for allied health services
Supporting trans or gender diverse children
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 Screen Time
- e-safety Commissioner
- Department of Health’s Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines and the Australian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
- Common Sense Media
- Australian Council on Children and Media
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 you will learn:
- What is mentalising and how is it different to things like empathy? (01:52)
- Marked mirroring as a building block for developing secure parent-infant relationships (06:13)
- The importance of self-determination in the therapeutic process (14:08)
- How to look beyond behaviour to see what’s going on underneath (24:36)
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)
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 AOD sector (27:50)
Further information and resources:
- The Impact of Parental Substance Use on the Child e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/the-impact-of-parental-substance-use-on-the-child-foundation/
- Parental Substance Use and Child-Aware Practice e-learning course: https://emergingminds.com.au/online-course/parental-substance-use-and-child-aware-practice-principles-and-practices/
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 inclusion and participation.
In this episode you will learn:
- Important aspects of attracting and supporting staff through clear understandings of child-focused practice (2:47)
- How specific screening for children can help practitioners to have conversations with parents about their concerns for children (9:55)
- An understanding of the importance of asking parents direct questions about the wellbeing of their children (11:54)
- How to support staff to ask parents questions about their children without reinforcing stigma (15:35)
Further information and resources: * Six ways to support child-focused practice in adult services
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 families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
-
Systems and service supports for children and families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
-
NOFASD
- FASD HUB
Visit https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/podcast/fasd-podcast/ for all links and further information.
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
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
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
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:
- Children of Parents with a Mental Illness
- Six Practice Positions
- Engaging Parents – an Introduction
- Supporting Children’s Resilience in General Practice
In this episode, we talk with Ruth Tulloch about her experience in creating culturally authentic services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 and Torres Strait Islander 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 and Torres Strait Islander cultural models in services (13:00) – How to ask culturally sensitive questions (16:24)
The preferred terminology used by Emerging Minds in our resources is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as guided by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Consultancy Group.
Further information and resources:
Smart Recovery
Motivational interviewing
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
- iCOPE perinatal screening tool
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 and Infant Mental Health
In this episode, we speak to Bill Wilson about what effective engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children looks like in non-Indigenous 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), and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and men’s health. He is a strong advocate for the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 and Torres Strait Islander 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 and Torres Strait Islander communities (16:30)
The preferred terminology used by Emerging Minds in our resources is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, as guided by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Consultancy Group. Further information and resources: Aboriginal mainstream service experience – where are we now? How data has shaped our response
Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority
More information on motivational interviewing
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
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.
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)