Have you ever sat in a supervision session that felt more like a checklist than real support? Maybe you’ve wondered what supervision is actually meant to give you.

In this solo episode of Inside Social Work, I talk about why supervision matters, how it’s shaped my own practice, and why it’s more than a professional requirement. We’ll explore how good supervision helps prevent burnout, what makes it different from line management, and how to find the right fit as your needs change.

This conversation is honest, practical, and filled with reflections for social workers, therapists, and anyone holding the weight of other people’s stories.

Key Takeaways:

• Why real supervision is about reflection and growth, not just case management
• How supervision helps with ethical decision making and burnout prevention
• What to look for in a supervisor beyond credentials
• Why it’s okay for your supervision needs to change over time
• How group and peer supervision can build connection and perspective
• What supervision can and can’t do when it comes to workplace challenges

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to share it with a colleague or anyone who’s thinking about their own supervision practice. You can also download my free resource on reflective questions for supervision in the show notes.

Resources:

• Reflective Questions for Getting the Most Out of Supervision
• Supervision PART 1
• Supervision PART 2: The Benefits of Group Supervision
• Part 3 Supervision- Understanding Learning Preferences

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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:

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Teenagers today are navigating a very complex world Social media and digital technology, constant connection, academic pressure, identity exploration, and big emotions can make adolescence feel overwhelming, not just for teens, but for parents, carers, and the professionals who support them.

In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins to share insights from our years of working with teens and their families. We explore what makes therapy unique for young people, how to support them through life’s challenges, and why safety and trust matter more than quick solutions.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or practitioner, this conversation is a reminder that every young person deserves to feel seen, supported, and understood.

We explore:

• Why teens often feel misunderstood by adults

• How therapy can help with identity exploration and emotional regulation

• The importance of trust, consent, and autonomy in therapy

• Strategies for parents and carers to strengthen connection

• Practical ways therapists can engage teens meaningfully

If you’re worried about a young person in your life, reaching out for support is a powerful first step. You can visit The Therapy Hub to find guidance and professional support.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might benefit, leave a review, or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.

Resources:

• Inside Social Work Podcast
• The Therapy Hub
• Headspace Postvention Toolkit
• Be You: Suicide Prevention and Response
• http://marievakakis.com.au/courses/working-therapeutically-with-teens/
• https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/
• https://marievakakis.com.au/courses/introduction-to-mental-health-support-and-interventions-for-teens/
• Get Ready for Therapy Guide

Trainings:

• https://marievakakis.com.au/professionals-training-and-supervision/

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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:

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Therapy is often seen as a safe, supportive space, but what happens when it goes wrong? In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by Carrie Wiita, adjunct professor, consultant, and creator of Interpersonal Branding, to unpack what bad therapy has taught her about being a better therapist.

We talk about what happens when therapy misses the mark, how defensiveness impacts client relationships, and why rupture and repair skills are essential for every therapist.

Whether you’re a social worker, therapist, or someone navigating therapy yourself, this conversation will help you see the importance of transparency, fit, and realistic expectations.

We explore:

• How defensiveness can damage the client–therapist relationship

• Why rupture and repair is one of the most important therapeutic skills

• The role of client expectations in therapy outcomes

• How deliberate practice builds confidence and skill

• Why talking about therapy’s side effects matters

• How marketing and branding can help clients find the right fit

• Practical advice for clients to ask the right questions

• Why mistakes in therapy are inevitable but repair is possible

Resources:

• Santio Counselling Centre

• Inside Social Work Podcast

• Get Ready for Therapy Guide

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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

Therapy is meant to be supportive and healing, but not every client experience feels that way.

In this encore episode of Inside Social Work, I speak with Ben and Carrie, from the Very Bad Therapy podcast, about what happens when therapy goes wrong, why it matters to talk about it, and how we can do better.

Key Takeaways

• Bad therapy cannot be reduced to a checklist. It depends on the individual client experience

• Many clients internalise bad therapy and believe they are at fault

• Therapy can have side effects and sometimes people feel worse afterwards

• Mistakes will happen. Repair and humility matter more than perfection

• Asking about expectations is just as important as setting goals

• Therapists will feel defensive. The work is to notice it and respond with openness

• Deliberate practice builds skills by focusing on one area at a time

• Administrative details like fees, scheduling, and emails are part of the relationship and need care

This conversation is for therapists and anyone who has ever questioned whether therapy was helping. Ben and Carrie share lessons from hundreds of client stories that challenge us to rethink how we work, listen, and repair when things go wrong.

Resources:

• Very Bad Therapy podcast with Ben Feinman and Carrie Wiita
• Modern Therapist Survival Guide with Kurt and Katie
• Santio Counselling Centre in California
• Learn Psychotherapy podcast with Ben and Carrie
• Inside Social Work with Marie Vakakis

If this episode resonated with you please follow and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Sharing the episode helps more people join these honest conversations about mental health and relationships.

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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

When you’re in a therapy session and something happens right in the moment, a shift in body language, a sudden silence, a flicker of emotion, naming it can change everything.

In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins from the Mental Work Podcast to talk about using ‘here and now’ comments to deepen connection and insight in the room. We explore why they work, when to use them, and how to navigate the risks.

We discuss:

• What ‘here and now’ comments are and why they matter
• How they can build safety and trust in therapy
• Practical ways to notice and name what’s happening
• The difference between curiosity and confrontation
• How to handle moments when it lands badly
• Why slowing down is often the most powerful thing you can do

Whether you’re new to therapy or an experienced practitioner, this conversation offers practical tools to bring more presence, attunement, and awareness into your work.

Contact Dr Bronwyn Milkins @ mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Resources:

• Inside Social Work Podcast on Spotify
• Inside Social Work Podcast on Apple
• 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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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

Student placements in private practice are becoming more common, but they raise a lot of questions for students, supervisors, and clients.

In this episode of Inside Social Work, I’m joined by social worker and supervisor Amy Howell to explore what it’s like offering student placements in a private practice setting, what support students need, and how services can navigate the challenges that come up.

We discuss:

• Why more students are doing placements in private settings
• What good supervision looks like when you’re in private practice
• The ethical, practical and emotional sides of student work
• How to create a learning environment that feels safe and reflective
• What students need to feel supported, not thrown in the deep end
• 
  

This episode is for anyone supervising students, considering offering placements, or thinking about private practice as a student.

🎧 Listen now and explore more resources and links below.

🔗 Resources

• The Therapy Hub
• AASW Supervision Guidelines
• Inside Social Work Podcast
• Professional Learning

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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 actually happens when the whole family comes to therapy? And how do you even start a conversation when everyone’s at odds?

In this special crossover episode with Dr Bronwyn Milkins from the Mental Work podcast, we explore the unique challenges and dynamics of working with whole families in therapy. From preparing for multi-person sessions to setting boundaries, managing multiple agendas and keeping kids engaged, this is an honest look into the real-world practice of systemic family therapy.

We talk about:

• How therapists manage logistics, power dynamics and safety
• The importance of clear contracting when working with families
• Why it’s important to name the emotional undercurrents in the room
• What makes systemic therapy different from individual or couples work
• Why therapists need to get comfortable with discomfort

Whether you're a social worker, counsellor or psychologist working with families or just curious what it’s really like in the room, this episode shares insights, humour and real talk from inside the therapy process.

Resources

• Mental Work Podcast episode: https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/intro-to-family-therapy/
• https://mhpn.org.au/members/#/Network/95487
• Professional Learning: https://marievakakis.com.au/professionals-training-and-supervision/

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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

For many social workers and mental health professionals, the tension between caring and charging is real.

In this episode of Inside Social Work, I am joined by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, host of the Mental Work podcast, to unpack how unexamined money beliefs can impact your practice, your wellbeing, and even your sense of identity as a helping professional.

We explore:

• Why helping professions carry deep shame around money
• How personal history and family beliefs shape financial decisions
• The unconscious ways clinicians undercharge, overwork, and self-sacrifice
• How to create ethical, sustainable private practice models
• What healthy boundaries around time, fees, and energy really look like

This conversation is for any social worker or therapist trying to navigate the emotional side of money while building a values-aligned career.

🔗 Resources

Mental Work Podcast –https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/are-your-money-beliefs-holding-you-back-with-marie-vakakis/

How to Improve Your Relationship With Money – https://www.raskmedia.com.au/2025/01/02/how-to-improve-your-relationship-with-money/

Relationships & money: how to start having better conversations – https://marievakakis.com.au/relationships-money-how-to-start-having-better-conversations/

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 contact@marievakakis.com.au, 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