Best Of CounterTransference Podcasts (2026)

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Disavowed Anger and Positive Emotions with Paul Wachtel 1:44:08

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12h ago1:44:08

1:44:08

In this episode, renowned psychologist Paul Wachtel, PhD, returns to explore disavowed anger and disavowed positive emotions in psychotherapy. Discover how anger differs from simple repression, its roots in childhood and preverbal experiences, its positive functions (like self-protection, boundaries, and drive), and the vicious cycles of over-nicen…

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Countertransference and Transference with Frank Yeomans, MD 1:45:48

20d ago1:45:48

1:45:48

Join Dr. David Puder and renowned psychodynamic expert Dr. Frank Yeomans in this Q&A episode on countertransference, transference, and projective identification in psychotherapy. Drawing from object relations theory and Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), Dr. Yeomans illustrates these concepts with real clinical examples. Explore how therapis…

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That's a wrap! 2025 end-of-year reflection (Solo) 22:37

1M ago22:37

22:37

In the final episode of the year, Bron reflects on the wins and challenges of 2025, her favourite episode this year, behind-the-scenes updates to the podcast, and a sneak peek of episodes coming up in 2026. If you've enjoyed the podcast this year, please consider buying Bron & editor Michael a virtual coffee at buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork. New epis…

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Person-centred suicide prevention (with Lyn O'Grady) 49:10

1M ago49:10

49:10

Bron speaks with Dr Lyn O’Grady (community psychologist and suicidology researcher) about person-centred suicide prevention. Lyn shares how decades of work across communities, schools, projects and private practice shaped her understanding of suicidality and why relying solely on checklists can shut down meaningful conversations. They chat about: 👉…

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Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia (with Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos) 37:40

2M ago37:40

37:40

Bron speaks with Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos (psychologist and founder of Beyond Bias Consulting) about her PhD research on implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia. Chrissy shares how her lived experience of blindness led her to investigate the subtle and often invisible attitudes shaping workplace decisions, clinical interactions, an…

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"AI Psychosis": Emerging Cases of Delusion Amplification Associated with ChatGPT and LLM Chatbot Use 1:19:46

2M ago1:19:46

1:19:46

Prolonged conversations with ChatGPT and other LLM chatbots have created rapid developments of severe delusions, paranoia, and even death by suicide in some cases. In this episode, Dr. David Puder sits down with Columbia researchers Dr. Amandeep Jutla and Dr. Ragy Girgis to unpack five shocking real-world cases, explain why large language models ar…

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Mastering professional boundaries in therapy (with Dr Bianca Denny) 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

Bron and guest Dr Bianca Denny unpack one of the trickiest early-career topics: professional boundaries in therapy. Together, they break down what boundaries actually mean (and don’t mean), how to navigate self-disclosure, gift-giving, ethical grey areas, and what to do when you realise a boundary has been crossed by you or a colleague. 👉 We cover:…

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Navigating identity-based burnout (with Shuktika Bose) 30:38

2M ago30:38

30:38

Ever felt like you’re carrying the extra weight of your identity into every supervision meeting, team huddle, or client session? That’s not “just stress.” It might be identity-based burnout. In this ep, Bron and guest Shuktika Bose unpack identity-based burnout - what it is and how to navigate it. 👉🏾 We cover: How identity-based burnout differs fro…

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Outcome Oriented 50:26

2M ago50:26

50:26

Tonight, we're unleashing Outcome Oriented (OO)—the black-ops tactic for infiltrating your client's antisocial chaos by mirroring their warped worldview with Theory of Mind (ToM), snagging permission for feedback, and hijacking their perspective to steer toward prosocial wins without ego implosion. Decode madness, weaponize trust, and sabotage fail…

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Genetic and Environmental Influences of Schizophrenia 1:19:13

2M ago1:19:13

1:19:13

In this episode, Dr. Puder is joined by Dr. Liam Browning and Dr. Nicholas Fabiano to explore the complex genetic and environmental factors that contribute to schizophrenia. They unpack how heritability is measured, what twin and genome-wide association studies reveal, and why the "missing heritability" problem matters for our understanding of ment…

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Beyond worksheets: How letting go can make you a better therapist (with Renae Martelli) 43:29

2M ago43:29

43:29

Bron and guest Renae Martelli explore how letting go of the tools and strategies we cling to as early-career therapists might actually make us better at our jobs. We unpack what happens when we stop trying to “do” therapy perfectly and instead tune in to the client, the context, and the process. 👉🏽 We cover: Why tools and worksheets can sometimes h…

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Combatting the Negative Effects of Sleep Deprivation 1:08:26

2M ago1:08:26

1:08:26

In this episode, Dr. David Puder and Dr. Brandon Luu explore the science of sleep deprivation. How missing sleep impacts your brain, metabolism, emotions, and long-term health. Discover evidence-based strategies that can help you protect cognitive performance and recover from sleep loss, including exercise, creatine, caffeine, and bright light ther…

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Transference and countertransference (with Claire Trevitt) 53:11

2M ago53:11

53:11

Bron and guest Claire Trevitt discuss the concepts of transference and countertransference. Bron has been eager to record this episode for two years, and it does not disappoint! Claire explains the nuances of these concepts that are essential for every mental health professional to understand. The episode covers what transference and countertransfe…

51
Devaluation, Transference, Narcissism with Diana Diamond 52:35

2M ago52:35

52:35

In this episode, Dr. David Puder is joined by world-renowned psychologist Diana Diamond, PhD to explore devaluation, narcissism, attachment, and transference in psychotherapy. Together they examine why patients with narcissistic personality traits or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often devalue their therapists, how dismissing and disorgan…

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Managing the feelings that come along with running a private practice (with Harriet Iles) 34:02

3M ago34:02

34:02

Bron and guest Harriet Iles chat about managing common feelings that show up alongside running a private practice early in your career, including imposter syndrome, anxiety, and overthinking. Harriet shares her valuable insights, including her personal experiences with imposter syndrome while running her own private practice. We discuss common defi…

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Intergenerational Trauma Explained: The Role of Reflective Function and Mentalization in Healing Attachment 1:10:34

3M ago1:10:34

1:10:34

In this episode, we explore how intergenerational trauma shapes attachment patterns and how reflective function (RF) and mentalization can help break the cycle. Drawing on research from Fonagy, Slade, and Berthelot, we examine how trauma-specific reflective functioning influences disorganized attachment and how therapies such as Mentalization-Based…

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Working with complex clients: Staying grounded when you feel overwhelmed (with Dr Amy Talbot) 47:14

3M ago47:14

47:14

Bron and guest Dr Amy Talbot discuss how to manage the emotional and clinical challenges that often show up when working with complex presentations. Amy shares her journey, starting with treating enduring eating disorders to tackling less understood issues like tic disorders. Then we go through practical strategies for managing our own emotional re…

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Imposter syndrome revisited (with Marie Vakakis) 41:50

3M ago41:50

41:50

We covered imposter syndrome wayyy back when the podcast started in 2021 - it's time for a revisit now that we're older and... wiser? Bron is joined by Marie to share new thoughts and research on how imposter syndrome affects early career mental health workers, how feelings of self-doubt can both hinder and help, how workplace environments play a s…

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MAILBAG: Saying no to clients who aren't a good fit & promoting yourself in a competitive market 36:37

3M ago36:37

36:37

Bron and Marie (Mental Health Social Worker) dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions about how to decline seeing clients who aren't a good fit, promoting yourself in a competitive market, and what to do when another mental health professional in your local area muscles in on your niche - are they are your friend or foe? 🤔 We covered a l…

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Private practice doesn't have to be the end goal (Solo) 14:39

3M ago14:39

14:39

It's a quick solo episode with Bron! I chat about why closing my solo private practice after four years was the right decision for me, how I feel after taking a break from clinical work for 6 months, the factors that influence job satisfaction in mental health, and opportunities for growth in non-private roles. LINKS Tim Ballard - Job-Related Predi…

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Understanding Real Event OCD: When the Past Fuels Obsession 1:07:07

4M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

In this episode, Dr. David Puder is joined by OCD specialist Kevin Foss to dive deep into Real Event OCD, which is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder where real past experiences become the focus of endless rumination, guilt, and shame. Together, they unpack the symptoms, real-life examples, and how this subtype differs from PTSD, moral injury,…

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LISTENER STORY: Psychological safety at work and understanding contracts (with Anita Knezevic) 50:56

4M ago50:56

50:56

Bron is joined by Anita (newly registered psychologist) to chat about Anita's journey through her internship and early career, exploring topics like psychological safety at work, burnout prevention, and tricky contract clauses such as non-competes and supervision repayments. Anita reflects on how she found the right supervision and workplace, as we…

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The SPARKS approach to burnout prevention (with Danielle Graber) 47:19

4M ago47:19

47:19

Bron is joined by Danielle Graber to explore a no-nonsense approach to burnout prevention called S.P.A.R.K.S. Danielle shares how her experience during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns sparked the creation of this method, and together they unpack why traditional self-care often falls short. The conversation redefines what therapist wellness really means…

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Identity Diffusion 1:37:52

4M ago1:37:52

1:37:52

In this episode, Dr. David Puder and Mark Ruffalo dive into the history and theory of identity diffusion, from Kernberg's structural model and Gunderson's work on BPD to Akhtar's clinical descriptions. We explore how identity diffusion shows up in patients' lived experiences—feelings of emptiness, fractured self-image, lack of authenticity—and what…

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Dissociation in children and adolescents 49:05

4M ago49:05

49:05

Bron and Michael (Mental Work podcast editor) unpack the complex and often misunderstood topic of dissociation in children and adolescents. Drawing on Bron’s recent experience as a researcher in this area, they explore what dissociation is, how it shows up in young people, common causes, and why early recognition is so important. They also dive int…

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Why therapist visibility matters more than ever (and how to stop shrinking) (with Dr Hayley Kelly) 47:15

4M ago47:15

47:15

Bron is joined by Dr Hayley Kelly for an honest conversation about why therapist visibility matters now more than ever, especially for early-career professionals. Hayley challenges the status quo, calling for innovation in the mental health profession to meet the growing community need for evidence-based expertise and support. She explores why many…

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Cannabis and Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Sleep, and Cognitive Function Update and Review 1:10:50

4M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

In this episode, we explore the latest 2025 research on cannabis and mental health. Our discussion covers how cannabis use impacts depression, anxiety, PTSD, sleep, cognitive function, and cannabis use disorder (CUD). While many patients report short-term relief from symptoms, studies reveal complex risks, including increased odds of mood disorders…

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Owning your own sh*t as a therapist (with Marie Vakakis) 44:29

5M ago44:29

44:29

Bron and Marie (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) explore how mental health workers can sometimes hold idealised, unrealistic expectations of one another – and how this can lead to surprise or disappointment when we encounter each other’s emotion regulation struggles or interpersonal differences. We discuss the importance of holding realistic…

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Building sustainable boundaries for work-life balance (with Jazmin Pursell) 51:37

5M ago51:37

51:37

Bron and Jazmin (Social Worker, Consultant) discuss how early career mental health workers can maintain their well-being while balancing the demands of work and life. Jazmin shares her journey, from struggling with work-life boundaries to finding strategies that helped her prioritise self-care and family time. She emphasises the importance of refle…

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Regulating Our Emotions as Parents with Alissa Jerud, PhD 1:14:43

5M ago1:14:43

1:14:43

Parenting brings love, joy and plenty of emotional challenges. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Alissa Jerud explores how parents can better understand and regulate their emotions instead of getting stuck in cycles of frustration, anxiety, or control. Drawing on exposure therapy, DBT skills, and her Emotion-Savvy Parenting approach, Dr. J…

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Confronting Countertransference 1:06:46

5M ago1:06:46

1:06:46

Tonight, we’re diving into every clinician’s guilty secret: countertransference—that cocktail of disgust, anger, or eye-rolls that show up when your client’s Dark Triad vibes (psychopathy, narcissism, Machiavellian scheming) hit a little too close to home. Instead of pretending we’re made of stone, we’ll show you how to spot those reactions, keep t…

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Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (with Aimee Oliveri) 1:05:37

5M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Bron and Aimee (Clinical Psychologist) dive into Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a condition estimated to affect 3-8% of menstruating women. Aimee talks about the differences between PMDD and PMS and how to effectively support clients with this condition. We also chat about Aimee's DBT-informed treatment model, common misconceptions, and th…

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Mailbag: Tips for first client/fair pay for first job/finding a niche (with Marie Vakakis) 44:12

5M ago44:12

44:12

It's our first MAILBAG episode, woo hoo! 🥳 In this ep, Marie (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) and Bron (Psychologist) answer listener questions: How should I prepare for my first ever client? When should I niche? What pay should I expect for my first job in mental health? How do I protect my mental health when working in private practice? W…

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Psychosocial hazards for mental health workers (with Jason van Schie) 37:40

5M ago37:40

37:40

Bron is joined by specialist in workplace psychosocial hazards, Jason van Schie, to talk about the kinds of psychosocial hazards mental health workers may encounter at work, their impacts, and practical steps to protect your wellbeing at work. Jason also highlights the shared responsibility between employers and employees in managing these risks an…

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Man vs. Beast II 33:11

6M ago33:11

33:11

In this sequel to our “Man vs. Beast” episode, we answer the internet’s burning question: Could 100 unarmed men defeat a silverback gorilla? Turns out—yeah, they actually could. And that revelation cracks open a deeper psychological truth. Jeff and Mace break down the clash between Dunning–Kruger delusion and Impostor Syndrome paralysis—why the lea…

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Psychodynamic Psychopharmacology: Insights from Dr. David Mintz 1:14:52

6M ago1:14:52

1:14:52

In this episode, I engage in a shared-interest conversation with Dr. David Mintz, a psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience at the Austen Riggs Center, about his book Psychodynamic Psychopharmacology: Caring for the Treatment-Resistant Patient. Mintz explores the integration of psychodynamic principles into medication prescribing, emphasizing…

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Losing a client to suicide (with Marie Vakakis) 39:32

6M ago39:32

39:32

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and its emotional impacts. Specific methods or cases are not discussed. Please take care while listening, and we encourage you to pause or stop listening as needed. Every day in Australia, an average of 9 people die by suicide and their loss is felt deeply by their family, loved ones, com…

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Listener story: Studying a Masters of Clinical Psychology (with Tess Rutherford) 49:27

6M ago49:27

49:27

It's a listener story! 🥳 Tess is a provisional psychologist studying her Master of Clinical Psychology and in this ep, she shares exactly what it's like including overcoming perfectionism, imposter syndrome, the value of supportive peers and supervisors, juggling study and work, and other thoughts on her journey towards full registration as a psych…