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What if I don’t know what I’m doing in my first session? How do I know if I’m being paid fairly? How do I protect my energy in private practice? This episode is a mailbag episode, where Bronwyn and I go through some listener questions. We talk honestly and practically about what it’s really like in the early and middle stages of practice. From first session nerves, to niching, money, burnout and protecting your energy in private practice. This episode is a mix of lived experience, mistakes we’ve made, and the things we wish someone had told us sooner. In this episode we cover: What actually helps when you’re seeing your first ever clientHow to think about niching without boxing yourself inWhy pay is complicated and what to look at beyond the numberHow to protect your mental health and energy in private practiceWhy listening matters more than saying the right thing If you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing this job “right”, this one is for you. If this episode stirred something for you, you are not alone. We are all human in this work. Contact Dr Bronwyn Milkins @ [email protected] Resources • Mental Work Podcast Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976

Have you ever been sitting with a young person in session while their parent waits outside, unsure how much to involve them and quietly worrying about saying the wrong thing? Working with parents alongside young people can feel daunting. Consent, confidentiality, boundaries, imposter syndrome and distressed parents can contribute to avoiding it altogether. Avoiding bringing families into the room missed crucial information and support for the young person can leave families feeling excluded and unsure of how to help. In this episode of the Inside Social Work Podcast, I talk about how to confidently and ethically include parents in therapeutic work with young people. We don’t need to be family therapy trained to include parents in sessions, and I share how we include them in thoughtful collaboration that supports the work rather than complicates it. If you work with young people and feel unsure about how to manage parents, this episode offers reassurance, practical ideas, and a reminder that you do not need to do this perfectly to do it well. In this episode, I talk about • Why involving parents often feels overwhelming for clinicians • Common fears early career practitioners have when working with families • How to set clear boundaries around confidentiality and expectations • Practical ways to include parents without overwhelming the work • Shifting from fixing to holding space when emotions run high • How collaboration with families can strengthen outcomes for young people Contact Dr Bronwyn Milkins @ [email protected] Resources: Mental Work PodcastConnected teens Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976

What happens when we don’t own our stuff? This episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by psychologist and researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins to talk about something many of us encounter in our work: what happens when we avoid taking responsibility for how we show up in the work. We explore those reactive moments. The times we avoid difficult conversations. The situations where our own history or blind spots start to shape our interactions with clients and teams. We discuss the importance of emotional responsibility in mental health settings and why being trained in this work does not make us immune to rupture, defensiveness or being messy humans.We talk about • Why mental health workers idealise their colleagues • What happens when professionals avoid their own inner work • How shame and perfectionism show up in teams • When supervision becomes a mirror rather than a shield • The difference between being healed and being honest • How to recognise your triggers before they spill into the work • Ways to bring more transparency, ownership and repair into your workplace If this episode stirred something for you, you are not alone. We are all human in this work. Contact Dr Bronwyn Milkins @ [email protected] Resources • Mental Work Podcast • Brene Brown YouTube clip on blame •📕 Dare to Lead by Brene Brown •📕 Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown • Grow Yourself Up by Jenny Brown Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976

Couples therapy can be some of the most rewarding work we do, but it can also be some of the most challenging. If you’ve ever found yourself sitting in the room thinking, am I helping or am I refereeing?, this episode is for you. In this episode of Inside Social Work, I revisit a conversation originally recorded with Dr Bronwyn Milkins on the Mental Work Podcast, where we break down what it really looks like to work with couples without getting pulled into the crossfire. We explore what actually happens in sessions, why structure matters, and how to navigate the emotional intensity that comes with two people bringing their pain, frustration, and hopes into the room. Whether you’re new to couples work or trying to build more confidence, this conversation offers clear, practical guidance grounded in real clinical experience. We explore: Why couples work can feel emotionally demandingHow structure helps contain conflictWhat live conflict reveals about patternsHow to stay steady without taking sidesWhat to consider when separation is on the table Resources: When should you refer an individual to couples therapy? Blog post by Marie.This Complex Life - Marie's podcast where she delves into the messiness of wellbeing and relationships.Books: Come Together by Emily Nagoski, Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel, Eight Dates by John and Julie GottmanInterested in couples therapy training? Gottman Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy are common evidence-based approaches! Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976

Money touches every part of our lives, yet so often it’s the thing we avoid talking about. In this final episode of our money mini-series, Ashton Hayes (Becoming an AMHSW Podcast) and I wrap up our reflections on the money stories and money blocks that shape how we live, work, and relate. Together we explore: How old beliefs about money can quietly influence our choicesThe importance of transparency around money in relationshipsWhy financial literacy matters for social workers and clients alikeGendered expectations about money and worthSmall, practical steps that help you feel more confident with moneyWhy reflective practice applies just as much to money as it does to social work This episode is about going gently with yourself, questioning the stories you’ve inherited, and starting the conversations that so many of us have avoided. Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped usThe hardest parts of social work and what we love about itWhy do social workers feel guilty charging our worth?Saving money starting out and the mistakes we madeWe don’t have to work for freeUntangling money blocks in social work Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976

Our relationship with money doesn’t start when we open our first bank account. It’s shaped from childhood,  through our families, culture, community, and the messages we absorbed without even realising. These “money stories” influence how we value ourselves, the fees we set, the risks we take, and the limits we place on our practice. In this episode, Ashton and I explore the money myths and blocks that show up for social workers in private practice. We share our own experiences, unpack where these beliefs come from, and talk about how shifting them can open up new possibilities in our work and lives. What we cover: What “money stories” are and why they matterHow family and culture shape our beliefs about moneyCommon money myths (hard work equals worth, ambition equals greed)How money blocks play out in practice, undercharging, burnout, and fear of growthPractical tools and resources to reflect on and reframe your money story Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped usThe hardest parts of social work and what we love about itWhy do social workers feel guilty charging our worth?Saving money starting out and the mistakes we madeWe don’t have to work for free Also explore: Books – She’s On the Money, Barefoot Investor, Profit First, You’re a Badass at Making Money by Jen SinceroJournaling prompts – Ashton’s 30-day reflections on money blocksHow to Improve Your Relationship With Money Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Social work is often framed as a profession of sacrifice, but does that mean we should give away our time and expertise for free? In this episode, Ashton and I unpack the belief that charging for our services makes us less caring. We talk about fee transparency, the real costs of running a practice, and how the expectation of free or underpaid labour undermines both social workers and clients. We also reflect on the importance of boundaries, sustainability, and the difference between choosing to give back through volunteering or community work and being pressured to undervalue ourselves. We cover:Why social workers are pressured to work for free (and why it’s harmful)The hidden costs of private practice (training, HEX debt, ongoing supervision)Fee transparency and clear expectations with clientsHow undervaluing ourselves undermines the professionBalancing generosity and sustainability in practiceThe difference between volunteering by choice vs. being exploited Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped usThe hardest parts of social work and what we love about itWhy do social workers feel guilty charging our worth?Saving money starting out and the mistakes we made Also explore: Open letter from Ashon Hayes - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-accredited-mental-health-social-worker-ashton-hayes-idq9c/ Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Starting in private practice is exciting and expensive. There are so many choices about what to spend on and what to skip. From shiny new tech to endless training courses, it can be easy to waste money before you’ve even found your feet. In this episode, Ashton and I talk about where you can actually save money when you’re just starting out, the investments that are worth it, and our biggest money blunders (spoiler: ring lights and training we never finished). We cover: Why systems are the best early investmentHow to avoid wasting money on unused tech or subscriptionsThe hidden savings in group supervision and training bundlesThe importance of cancellation policies to protect your incomeBalancing “just getting started” with optimising as you growOur own biggest money mistakes (and what we’d do differently) This conversation is about being strategic. Spend where it counts, cut back where you can, and don’t let shiny distractions eat into your income. Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped usThe hardest parts of social work and what we love about itWhy do social workers feel guilty charging our worth? Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Money is often the thing we’re told not to talk about. Yet for social workers, it’s at the heart of so many challenges in our profession. In this episode, Ashton and I unpack: Why social workers feel guilty about charging for their workThe gendered expectations tied to caring professionsHow undervaluing ourselves hurts both us and the professionThe hidden costs of private practice training, supervision, sick leave, overheadsShifting mindset from “martyrdom” to sustainabilityHow charging fairly allows us to keep showing up for clients We talk openly about the guilt, the judgment, and the reality of making a living in social work. If this resonates, start with the Intro Episode of the series and follow through each conversation. Together, they’re about honesty, growth, and reclaiming what it means to thrive in this profession. Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped usThe hardest parts of social work and what we love about it Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Social work doesn’t follow a straight line, it’s often what we call a squiggly career. Along the way, there are challenges, shiny distractions, and moments of doubt. But there are also incredible rewards. In this episode, Ashton and I reflect on: The hardest parts of working as Accredited Mental Health Social WorkersThe risks of chasing every new training or modalityWhy having a clear thread or anchor point mattersCommon misconceptions about AMHSW accreditationThe role of hobbies, creativity, and connection outside of workThe great things that keep us engaged in this profession 🎧 Tune in to hear the lessons we’ve learned and the joys we’ve found along the way. Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeThe moments self-doubt almost stopped us Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Self-doubt has a way of creeping in at the worst times whether it’s applying for a job, saying yes to a leadership role, or even putting yourself out there creatively. In this episode, Ashton and I talk about the moments where self-doubt almost stopped us from saying yes to opportunities and how we found ways to push through.  We explore: Why self-doubt shows up even for experienced social workersHow writing, speaking, and visibility can feel like barriersGendered expectations around confidence and “meeting the criteria”Strategies that help us move forward despite inner criticismProgress over perfection and learning to reframe self-doubt as growth 🎧 Listen to the episode now and reflect on the role self-doubt has played in your own career. Resources Listen to the previous episodes in this series: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownThe careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believeSusan David  - Emotional agility  Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Have you ever looked at your career and thought,  my younger self would never have seen this coming? In Episode 3 of our mini-series, Ashton and I reflect on how our work, values, and lives have evolved in ways our 25-year-old selves could never have predicted. From unexpected career shifts to the courage to take up space, we explore the surprises that come with time and experience. We also invite you to reflect: what would surprise your younger self about where you are now? In this episode we cover: How career paths rarely unfold the way we imagine at the startThe tension between early dreams and where we’ve landedWhy public speaking, podcasting, or leadership might feel impossible when we’re just starting outThe role of values in shaping a career, more than goals or tick-box achievementsHow looking back can spark empathy for our younger selves — and gratitude for our growth Resources: Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)How our social work practice has grownJoin the Career Clarity Challenge today! Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Social work careers rarely look the same. In this episode we share what ours look like now and how they keep evolving, Ashton and I talk about where that journey has taken us and the work we’re doing now. I share what it’s like running The Therapy Hub in Melbourne, supporting young people, families, and couples, as well as the trainings and parenting programs I’ve developed. Ashton talks about her dual focus: Willow Tree, her counselling clinic, and Ashton Hayes & Co Consulting, where she mentors and supports social workers across Australia. Together, we explore: The realities of running private practices and balancing multiple rolesFinding a niche in therapy and why it’s an evolving processThe overlap between mental health, relationships, and educationHow supervision, mentoring, and leadership strengthen our fieldWhy building community matters as much as individual client work Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Every social worker has a story about how they got here. Some of us take winding paths through other careers, while others stumble into social work almost by accident. In this first episode of our 10-part collaboration series, I sit down with Ashton Hayes (host of Becoming an AMHSW) to share our journeys into social work. We talk about: The meandering, non-linear paths that led us into social workHow travel, life experience, and curiosity shaped our choicesThe breadth of social work, from policy to practice, and everything in betweenWhy the profession can be so hard to define, yet so rewardingThe challenges of explaining what we do, and how training shapes our careers This isn’t the neat checklist version of becoming a social worker. It’s about real experiences, twists and turns, and the values that pulled us into the work. Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work

Have you ever wondered if you’re really cut out to be an accredited mental health social worker? If you’re smart enough, good enough, or if everyone else has it figured out while you’re still feeling like an imposter? What about talking money and finances? Branding and marketing? You’re not alone. In this special 10-part collaboration, I team up with Ashton Hayes, host of Becoming an AMHSW, to share the messy, honest realities of becoming an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker. We share our own lived experiences, the winding career paths that shape who we are, impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and discuss the often-taboo topic of money stories. You won't want to miss this series Across the series we talk about: The challenges and frustrations of AMHSW applications and pathwaysThe truth about starting out in private practiceWhy vulnerability and connection matter so much in this workMoney beliefs, charging clients, and financial security in social workBuilding networks and community so the work feels less lonely This isn’t a guidebook. It’s two social workers sharing the behind-the-scenes stories that often go unspoken. Our hope is that you’ll feel less alone, more grounded, and maybe even inspired as you navigate your own career. 🎧 Listen to the collaboration series on Inside Social Work and Becoming an AMHSW. Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast? 🎙️ Got a question or something on your mind? Send it through. You can write it or email a voice memo to [email protected], and it might be featured in a future episode of Inside Social Work. Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community. Want to be a guest? Submit a speaker request here  http://marievakakis.com.au/be-a-podcast-guest/ Got an anonymous question? Submit it here: https://forms.gle/wg7Lk61xde9Lge976 Mentioned in this episode: 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work 5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence. Feeling stuck or unsure about your next move? https://mailchi.mp/marievakakis/days-to-career-clarity-in-social-work