Between Two Psychs: Tips for Provisional Psychologists and Early Career Therapists
Delving into the questions and challenges faced by new practitioners, offering insights and strategies for navigating the journey from the internship to independent practice and beyond.
What is the National Psychology Exam and how to prepare for it
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Isabelle and Claire provide an overview of the NPE. They discuss what you need to know and share tips to help you prepare for the exam.
Episode 42: Using AI tools ethically
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Isabelle talks to David Lopis about the use of AI in clinical practice.
Episode 41: Competency 8 - Health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
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Isabelle and Claire discuss the last of the new competencies for psychologists: Health equity and a human rights approach when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, families and communities. Claire shares some recent training she attended on this topic, including some helpful resources for clinicians looking to develop competence in this important area.
Books:
Cultural Safety in Trauma-Informed Practice from a First Nations Perspective: Billabongs of Knowledge by Nicole Tujague and Kelleigh Ryan
Jilya by Tracey Westerman
Training/Assessments/Resources
Episode 40: Competency 7 - Being a culturally responsive practitioner
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Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 7 from the new competencies for psychologists: Demonstrates a health equity and human rights approach when working with people from diverse groups. They explore what it means to support clients across the community, including people with disability, diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, and different lived experiences. We also discuss trauma-informed practice, awareness of neurodiversity, and why ongoing learning and listening to lived experience are central to ethical, responsive care.
Episode 39: Competency 6 - Being an effective communicator
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Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 6 of the new competencies for psychologists: Communicates and relates to others effectively and appropriately. Â
Episode 38: Competency 5 - Being competent in psychological interventions
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In this episode, Isabelle and Claire unpack Competency 5: conduc psychological intervention, and why the more explicit and culturally responsive nature of the new competencies is so important in our day-to-day practice. They explore what informs our intervention choices, including case formulation, diagnosis, collaboration, and making sure clients are actively involved in their care, as well as client feedback and adjusting our approach when required.
Episode 37: Competency 4 - Being competent in psychological assessment
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Isabelle and Claire discuss Competency 4 which focusses on psychological assessment, including different types of assessment methods and tools, assessment selection, culturally sensitive and appropriate assessment and risk assessment.
Episode 36: Competency 3 - Being a reflexive practitioner
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This episode covers the third competency for psychologists, which focuses on being a reflexive practitioner, deliberate practice and clinician self-care. Isabelle and Claire discuss the importance of good support and intentional, sustainable practice to protect both ourselves and our clients.
Episode 35: Competency 2 - Being an ethical practitioner
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Isabelle and Claire unpack the second of the new competencies for psychologists, focussing on what ethical practice looks like in real clinical work, the importanceof meeting legal obligations, taking personal responsibility for our personal conduct and using sounds ethical decision-making processes when ethical issues arise.
Episode 34: Competency 1 - Being a scientist practitioner
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Isabelle and Claire unpack the first of the new competencies for psychologists. Competency 1 requires us to develop knowledge of psychological constructs, theories and therapeutic modalities, and apply an evidence-based approach to safe and effective practice.
Episode 33: What you need to know about the new psychology competencies
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Welcome to Season 4, where Isabelle and Claire will unpack the new competencies for psychologists. This episode provides an introduction to the competencies and explains why it is essential to familiarise yourself with these updates, whether you are a provisional psychologist, fully registered psychologist or supervisor.
Episode 32: To all therapists who worry they are not helping enough
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In this season finale Claire speaks directly to the part of you that wonders if you're doing enough in the therapy room. If you've ever left a session feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or worried that you aren't helping your clients, this episode is for you.
We’ll explore why this doubt shows up, how complex work rarely feels “finished,” and why your steady presence matters more than the perfect intervention. A grounding, validating reminder that you're not alone, and you're helping more than you think.
Episode 31: Therapist disclosure: what we disclose and why
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Claire talks about what we share with clients, why we do it, and how to know if it’s helpful or getting in the way. There are practical questions to support thoughtful decision-making and help therapists stay grounded in what’s most helpful for the client.
Episode 30: The good enough therapist: letting go of perfectionism
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In this episode, Claire explores perfectionism in the therapy room and why so many therapists feel the pressure to get it right all the time. She unpacks the idea of being a “good enough” therapist and offers practical, reassuring reminders for those moments of self-doubt after a session.
Episode 29: To all therapists who compare themselves to others
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Claire talks about something many early career therapists quietly struggle with. Whether it's feeling behind when you see a colleague's success or doubting your skills after scrolling social media, comparison can erode confidence and leave you feeling not good enough. In this honest and supportive episode, we explore why this happens, how to recognise it, and what to do when it shows up, so you can stay grounded in your own growth.
Episode 28: To all therapists who have experienced imposter syndrome
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Have you ever walked out of a session thinking, “I’m a fraud… I have no idea what I’m doing”? You’re not alone.
In this episode, Claire normalises imposter syndrome in therapists, talks about why trying harder isn’t the answer, and shares simple strategies to ease pressure, consolidate what you already know, and reconnect with your confidence.
A gentle, validating listen for therapists who need a reminder: you’re growing, you’re enough, and you’re exactly where you need to be.
Episode 27: Understanding the bio in biopsychosocial case formulation
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Emma Spencer from Spencer Health joins us to talk about her special area of interest: considering the impact of hormones and health on mental health symptomology and treatment.Â
Episode 26: Working with dissociation
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This is the final episode in our 3-part series on dissociation, where we discuss how to work with dissociation in the therapy room.
Further information and resources:
Lived experience practitioners:
Carolyn Spring. https://www.carolynspring.com/
Jamie Marichhttps://jamiemarich.com/
Joh's website and her new book:Â
https://www.guidedhealingpsychology.com.au/resources
https://www.amazon.com.au/Dialectical-Behavioral-Therapy-DID-Workbook/dp/B0D3BPTTGR
Training i...
Episode 25; Screening for dissociation
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This is the second episode in our three-part series on dissociation, with guest Joh Knyn from Guided Healing Psychology.Â
Claire and Joh talk talk about why screening for dissociation matters and what tools can help. Whether you work primarily with trauma or not, recognising dissociation can shift how you understand and support your clients.
Helpful links and resources:
Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES): https://traumadissociation.com/des
MID-60: https://www.mid-assessment.com/mid-training/
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation: h...
Episode 24: What is dissociation?
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Claire talks with guest Joh Knyn from Guided Healing Psychology, unpacking what dissociation really is, why it’s so often misunderstood (even by therapists), and how dissociative disorders are frequently misdiagnosed—or missed entirely.
Whether you're a therapist, student, or just curious, this episode helps bring clarity to a complex topic.
Resources:
Carolyn Spring: https://www.carolynspring.com/
Jamie Marich:Â https://jamiemarich.com/
https://www.guidedhealingpsychology.com.au/resources
Joh's new book:Â https://www.amazon.com.au/Dialectical-Behavioral-Therapy-DID-Workbook/dp/B0D3BPTTGR
Episode 23: To all therapists juggling multiple commitments
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This episode is for anyone juggling too much and wondering why it’s so hard to “practice what you preach.”
Claire talks about exhaustion, endless to-do lists, and the quiet guilt of not applying all the tools you know so well.
It’s a gentle reminder that you're human, and that's more than enough.
Episode 22: To all therapists who have experienced a difficult session
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Claire discusses difficult therapy sessions, the self-doubt that creeps in, the reality of human imperfection, and why hard sessions don’t mean you’re failing.
Episode 21: How to do a Mental State Exam
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This episode provides an overview of the Mental State Exam, why it is important and how to use it.
Episode 20: The ingredients of a good first session
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Isabelle and Claire dive into one of the most important parts of the therapy process - the initial session.Â
For early career therapists, that first session can feel like a lot to juggle: you’re building rapport, gathering history, setting the tone, and trying to make a good impression.Â
So how do you fit it all in without making it feel rushed or clinical?
In this episode, we’ll break down the key ingredients of a strong first session—from creating a supportive space and having a conversa...
Episode 19: The ingredients of a good intake process
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Isabelle and Claire discuss the initial intake process — not the first session, but everything that happens before a client steps into the therapy room.
We’ll walk through the key steps we take after that first enquiry: from the introductory phone call, to screening for fit, sharing practical info, and setting clear expectations. We’ll also explore consent, forms, and how to gently support clients in preparing for therapy.
By the end of this episode, you’ll feel clearer on how to structure your intake process so it protects both you...
Episode 18: Challenging conversations in the workplace
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Starting out in the therapy world isn’t just about learning how to help clients—it’s also about learning how to survive and thrive in the workplace.
In this episode, we talk about:
🔸 Common challenges that arise for provisional psychologists
🔸 Contractor vs casual arrangements
🔸 Billing arrangements under Medicare and NDIS
🔸 Ethical and sustainable working conditions
 🔸 What to do when you feel unsupported or overwhelmed
We get real about the common (but rarely spoken about) challenges faced by provisional psychologists and early career therapists—and share practical ways
Episode 17: Challenging conversations in supervision
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Most supervisors genuinely want to support their supervisees, but we also know that’s not always the experience. If you’ve ever left supervision feeling unheard, confused, or discouraged, this episode is for you.
Episode 16: Placement Red Flags
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This episode focuses on placements for provisional psychologists or student therapists, ensuring these are ethical and sustainable, and common red flags to watch out for.
Episode 15: Maintaining our skills as therapists
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Isabelle and Claire explore how to stay on top of professional development requirements, accessible training options, and how to document your learning.
Episode 14. Supervision and peer consultation: key differences
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In this episode Claire and Isabelle discus peer consultation requirements for psychologists, and the difference between supervision and peer consultation.
We cover:
 The distinct roles of supervision and peer consultation for psychologists
 Why ongoing support is essential, even as we develop experience and expertise
 How to calculate group hours as a registered psychologist
 The pros and cons of paid vs unpaid peer consultation
Episode 13: Creating a meaningful learning plan
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Professional development can feel like just another box to tick—but what if it actually helped you grow, build confidence, and enjoy your work more? In this episode, we dive into creating a PD plan that goes beyond compliance and truly supports your development.
We’ll cover:
âś… How to choose PD that strengthens your skills and confidence
âś… PD requirements for psychologists
âś… Simple ways to track and log your progressÂ
If PD feels like a chore, this episode will help you make it meaningful!Â
Episode 12: How to do case formulation
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In the final episode of Season 2 Isabelle and Claire talk about what makes a good case formulation, how to conceptualise information provided in the initial intake, sharing this with the client in a way that is both collaborative and person-centred, and using this information to inform treatment.
Episode 11: How to help clients with a comorbid addiction
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In this episode Isabelle shares advice on how to assist clients who disclose substance use in sessions. Starting at assessment, getting comfortable with identifying substance use, and understanding the function of substance use so it can be factored into your treatment planÂ
Episode 10: What is psychodynamic therapy?
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Claire and Isabelle discuss the key principles of psychodynamic therapy and how these insights can be woven into any therapeutic model.
Episode 9: Being honest with your supervisor
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We all make mistakes and things don't always go as planned. Isabelle and Claire discuss the benefits and challenges of being honest and vulnerable in supervision.
Episode 8: How to do observations well
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This episode provides some practical tips on how to prepare yourself and your clients for sessions that will be observed and/or recorded for supervision or accreditation purposes.
Episode 7: We want our clients to feel better, right?
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Isabelle and Claire discuss the desire to support clients in feeling better, while also acknowledging the complexities of the therapeutic process.Â
Episode 6: Navigating fear and doubt as a therapist
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Isabelle and Claire talk about the process of creating the podcast, lessons learned and how they overcame some mindset challenges that they encountered along the way.
Episode 5: When to deviate from the manual
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In this episode, Isabelle and Claire discuss manualised interventions, their benefits and when we may choose to be flexible in the delivery of interventions in sessions.
Episode 4: Five key tips for all new therapists
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Isabelle and Claire share some of the things they wish they had known when they first started as provisional psychologists.
