Psychologist (Provisional), BPsychSc(Hons), GradDipPsychSc, MPsych(Clin) (finishing in December)

What's one thing you are personally passionate about? 

Hmm, one is too hard. My family who are also my friends, and my friends who are like my family. Animals (I was a wildlife ranger for 10 years), my faith (I've taught about the positive nature of faith for 20 years). Good food. And learning new things (I've never stopped studying because I've learned that it's impossible to learn something you think you already know). 

What's one thing you are professionally passionate about? 

One is too hard for this question too. I'll give you three:
1.    The power of compassion (anger is costly, kindness is free). 
2.    The freedom of forgiveness (forgiveness is letting go of the desire for a different past).
3.    The importance of self-care (food is the most abused anxiety drug, and exercise the most underused antidepressant).

You give advice, but what's one of the best pieces of advice you've been given?

Don't let anyone rent a space in your head unless they're a good tenant. And prefer to be yourself and sometimes not be liked, than to be liked by only sometimes being yourself.

What do you love about working at The Psychology Cafe and Psychology Milk Bar?

 The people. We have a wonderful team who are great at what they do, who love their jobs, and who teach me about the science and art of psychology. I also love the setting here. The cafe allows me to meet people in a relaxed environment, and the milk bar helps me to engage with children in a fun setting while also delivering therapy.

What's one major challenge you've overcome in your life?

Anxiety about what others think. I still feel it at times to be honest, because I sometimes forget that I'm only responsible for how I live, not for how others think I should live. Dropping this has also helped me to drop a critical and judgmental outlook that never looked good on me and never did much good for others either.

What's one of your favourite psychology 'reads’?

 One is too hard for this question too. I like "Reinventing Your Life" by Jeffrey Young and Janet Klosko; "Rewire Your Brain" by John Arden; "The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by John Gottman and Nan Silver; "Brain Maker" and "Grain Brain" by David Perlmutter; and anything by Dawn Huebner for kids.