The National Psychology Exam (NPE) is a big ass exam that provisional psychologists doing the 4+2 and 5+1 pathways must pass to gain full registration. On today's episode, Bron is joined by Amanda Moses (Psychologist) to unpack 👉🏼 What does the NPE assess? 👉🏾 How to prepare step-to-step 👉🏿 Top tips for sitting the NPE on the day 👉 How much time to set aside for study.

Mental Work is the podcast unpacking the challenges faced by early career psychologists, so they don’t have to go it alone. Hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

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Love the podcast? Keep it alive by joining our Patreon for $2 a month 😎

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee! ☕

Email Bron at mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Facebook / Instagram / Website / Apply to be a guest

LINKS
Amanda's NPE prep course
Psych Board of Australia - NPE Information
Ethical Practice in Applied Psychology (Boyle & Gamble)

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

The National Psychology Exam (NPE) is a big ass exam that provisional psychologists doing the 4+2 and 5+1 pathways must pass to gain full registration. On today's episode, Bron is joined by Amanda Moses (Psychologist) to unpack 👉🏼 What does the NPE assess? 👉🏾 How to prepare step-to-step 👉🏿 Top tips for sitting the NPE on the day 👉 How much time to set aside for study.
Mental Work is the podcast unpacking the challenges faced by early career psychologists, so they don’t have to go it alone. Hosted by <a href="https://www.bronwynmilkins.com/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
THE END BITS
Love the podcast? Keep it alive by <a href="https://www.patreon.com/mentalworkpodcast">joining our Patreon</a> for $2 a month 😎
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a>! ☕
Email Bron at <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mentalworkpod">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a> / <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/3ci82tKq7p">Apply to be a guest</a>
LINKS
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amandamosespsychology.com.au/nationalpsychologyexam">Amanda's NPE prep course</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration/National-psychology-exam.aspx">Psych Board of Australia - NPE Information</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/ethical-practice-in-applied-psychology-christopher-boyle/book/9780195523102.html">Ethical Practice in Applied Psychology (Boyle &amp; Gamble)</a></li>
</ul>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>

Mental Work is the podcast about working in mental health for psychologists, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Mental Work is the podcast about working in mental health for psychologists, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

A closer look at the everyday challenges faced by early-career mental health workers, so they don’t have to go it alone.

Mental Work

Studying for the National Psychology Exam (with Amanda Moses)

Bron is joined by Claire Trevitt (psychologist and Board-approved supervisor) to unpack one of the most quietly stressful parts of early-career practice: client retention. Together, they explore why clients disengage from therapy and why it’s so often not a sign that you’re “bad at therapy.”

They chat about:
👉🏽 Why ambivalence and drop-out are common (and normal)
👉🏻 How to spot readiness for change through attendance and in-session cues
👉🏿 Practical ways to slow down, check in, and keep clients engaged
👉🏾 Using permission-giving, pacing, and a “menu of choices” in sessions
👉🏼 When supervision, feedback, and skill-building can genuinely help

This episode is a reassuring, practical conversation for early-career psychologists who care deeply about their work and are quietly worrying they’re “not doing enough.” If you’ve ever taken client disengagement personally, this one’s for you!

Guest: Claire Trevitt, Psychologist and Supervisor at The Growing Therapist and Host of the Between Two Psychs Podcast

LINKS
Claire's podcast, Between Two Psychs
Claire's training/supervision website, The Growing Therapist
Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale

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Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Bron is joined by Claire Trevitt (psychologist and Board-approved supervisor) to unpack one of the most quietly stressful parts of early-career practice: client retention.&nbsp;Together, they explore why clients disengage from therapy and why it&rsquo;s so often not a sign that you&rsquo;re &ldquo;bad at therapy.&rdquo;
They chat about: 👉🏽 Why ambivalence and drop-out are common (and normal) 👉🏻 How to spot readiness for change through attendance and in-session cues 👉🏿 Practical ways to slow down, check in, and keep clients engaged 👉🏾 Using permission-giving, pacing, and a &ldquo;menu of choices&rdquo; in sessions 👉🏼 When supervision, feedback, and skill-building can genuinely help
This episode is a reassuring, practical conversation for early-career psychologists who care deeply about their work and are quietly worrying they&rsquo;re &ldquo;not doing enough.&rdquo; If you&rsquo;ve ever taken client disengagement personally, this one&rsquo;s for you!
Guest: Claire Trevitt, Psychologist and Supervisor at <a href="https://www.thegrowingtherapist.com.au/">The Growing Therapist</a> and Host of the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/115PsJxYr8IcoF4KNOOOjO?si=6dd1210c42114344">Between Two Psychs</a> Podcast
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Claire's podcast, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/115PsJxYr8IcoF4KNOOOjO?si=6dd1210c42114344">Between Two Psychs</a></li>
<li>Claire's training/supervision website, <a href="https://www.thegrowingtherapist.com.au/">The Growing Therapist</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.corc.uk.net/media/2754/ors-srs-david-low-paper-for-cyp-iapt.pdf">Outcome Rating Scale and Session Rating Scale</a></li>
</ul>
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Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Strategies for client retention and engagement (with Claire Trevitt)

Bron speaks with Dr Hayley D Quinn (former clinical psychologist turned anti-burnout coach) about the realities of working in mental health when you’re still finding your feet including self-doubt, emotional load, and the pressure to feel more competent than you actually feel. Hayley also shares her personal story of changing careers from clinical psychology to business coaching, and how self-compassion helped her through this enormous period of change.

They chat about:
👉🏽 Early-career self-doubt and imposter syndrome
👉🏻 The emotional impact of client work
👉🏿 Learning to tolerate uncertainty in sessions
👉🏾 Using supervision as support, not performance
👉🏼 Building sustainability rather than perfection

Guest: Dr Hayley D Quinn - Former clinical psychologist turned anti-burnout business coach

LINKS
Hayley's book, From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: https://drhayleydquinn.com/product/book/
Hayley's podcast "Welcome to Self": https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcasts/
Hayley's Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Bron speaks with Dr Hayley D Quinn (former clinical psychologist turned anti-burnout coach) about the realities of working in mental health when you&rsquo;re still finding your feet including self-doubt, emotional load, and the pressure to feel more competent than you actually feel. Hayley also shares her personal story of changing careers from clinical psychology to business coaching, and how self-compassion helped her through this enormous period of change.
They chat about: 👉🏽 Early-career self-doubt and imposter syndrome 👉🏻 The emotional impact of client work 👉🏿 Learning to tolerate uncertainty in sessions 👉🏾 Using supervision as support, not performance 👉🏼 Building sustainability rather than perfection
Guest: <a href="https://drhayleydquinn.com/">Dr Hayley D Quinn</a> - Former clinical psychologist turned anti-burnout business coach
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Hayley's book,&nbsp;From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: <a href="https://drhayleydquinn.com/product/book/">https://drhayleydquinn.com/product/book/</a></li>
<li>Hayley's podcast "Welcome to Self": <a href="https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcasts/">https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcasts/</a></li>
<li>Hayley's <a href="https://drhayleydquinn.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DrHayleyDQuinnBrisbane/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-d-quinn-43386533/">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drhayleydquinn/">Instagram</a></li>
</ul>
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Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Self-compassion through career change (with Dr Hayley D Quinn)

Bron is joined by Beatrice Ng-Kessler (Clinical Psychologist, Schema Therapy Trainer) about working therapeutically with clients from collectivist cultures, and why Western, individualistic models don’t always translate as cleanly as we expect.

They chat about:
👉🏽 How collectivist and individualist values shape therapy
👉🏻 Filial piety, family hierarchy, and unmet needs
👉🏿 Cultural safety, humility, and therapist authority
👉🏾 Working with emotional suppression in schema therapy
👉🏼 Practical ways to build safety without pushing too fast

This episode is essential listening for early-career clinicians wanting to work more thoughtfully, safely, and effectively across cultures.

Guest: Beatrice Ng-Kesler – Clinical Psychologist, Schema Therapy Trainer, founder of the Chinese Schema Therapy Academy

LINKS
Register for Beatrice's next online workshop on Adapting Psychotherapy for Collectivistic Cultures, scheduled for February 2026!
More upcoming trainings offered by Beatrice, including training on adapting psychotherapy for collectivist cultures
Article written by Beatrice, published by the British Psychological Society: Connecting worlds and finding common ground
Chinese Schema Therapy Academy

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Bron is joined by Beatrice Ng-Kessler (Clinical Psychologist, Schema Therapy Trainer) about working therapeutically with clients from collectivist cultures, and why Western, individualistic models don&rsquo;t always translate as cleanly as we expect.
They chat about: 👉🏽 How collectivist and individualist values shape therapy 👉🏻 Filial piety, family hierarchy, and unmet needs 👉🏿 Cultural safety, humility, and therapist authority 👉🏾 Working with emotional suppression in schema therapy 👉🏼 Practical ways to build safety without pushing too fast
This episode is essential listening for early-career clinicians wanting to work more thoughtfully, safely, and effectively across cultures.
Guest: Beatrice Ng-Kesler &ndash; Clinical Psychologist, Schema Therapy Trainer, founder of the <a href="https://www.chinese-schema-therapy.com/">Chinese Schema Therapy Academy</a>
LINKS<a href="https://www.chinese-schema-therapy.com"></a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.chinese-schema-therapy.com/event-details/2-hours-online-workshop-adapting-psychotherapy-for-collectivistic-cultures">Register for Beatrice's next online workshop on Adapting Psychotherapy for Collectivistic Cultures, scheduled for February 2026!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.chinese-schema-therapy.com/event-list">More upcoming trainings offered by Beatrice, including training on adapting psychotherapy for collectivist cultures</a></li>
<li>Article written by Beatrice, published by the British Psychological Society:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/connecting-worlds-and-finding-common-ground">Connecting worlds and finding common ground</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.chinese-schema-therapy.com">Chinese Schema Therapy Academy</a></li>
</ul>
THE END BITS
Mental Work is the podcast for psychologists about the realities of working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Studying for the National Psychology Exam (with Amanda Moses)

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