Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Rick Hanson about overcoming the brain's negativity bias and finding more happiness, self-worth, love, and peace in life. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available in 29 languages and include Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Buddha’s Brain, Just One Thing, and Mother Nurture – with 900,000 copies in English alone. He edits the Wise Brain Bulletin and has numerous audio programs. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA and founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, he’s been an invited speaker at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. Dr Hanson has been a trustee of Saybrook University, served on the board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and was president of the board of FamilyWorks, a community agency. He began meditating in 1974, trained in several traditions, and leads a weekly meditation gathering in San Rafael, California. His work has been featured on the BBC, CBS, and NPR, and 150,000 subscribers receive his free Just One Thing newsletter every week. He has a variety of popular online programs in positive neuroplasticity – with scholarships available for those with financial need. He enjoys wilderness activities and taking a break from emails. He and his wife have two adult children. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/rick-hansonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about career paths, selecting an organisation, finding a supervisor, and other pieces of advice for early career psychologists.  Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy and he is also recognised by Medicare Australia as a qualified provider of specialist clinical psychology services. His therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for his clients and has trained clinicians around Australia in ACT. Nesh holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Mary Andreadis is a Melbourne-based provisional psychologist. She has completed a Bachelors and Honours Degree in Psychology and is completing a Masters Degree in this field to become a qualified psychologist. Mary has worked as a mental health community support worker, counsellor and facilitated monthly anxiety support groups. Alongside all of this, she also writes a blog at MindIntertwined.com. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/nesh-nikolic-early-career-adviceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Gemma Sharp about the tremendous increase in demand for cosmetic surgery like labiaplasty, butt lifts, boob jobs, etc., and its impacts concerning body image. Dr Gemma Sharp is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist. She leads the Body Image Research Group at the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) at Monash University in Melbourne. Her research broadly focuses on the impacts of media on body image concerns, which can lead to body image related disorders and the pursuit of cosmetic surgery. She has a particular interest in the use of novel technologies, including artificial intelligence, to assist people with body image concerns and is currently developing a conversational agent/"chatbot" together with the Butterfly Foundation. She also runs her own private clinical psychology practice, where she specialises in the treatment of body image concerns, body dysmorphic disorder and eating disorders. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/gemma-sharpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Carla Ferrari about Forensic Assessments & Reports. Carla Ferrari is the Director and Principal Forensic Psychologist of Ferrari Consulting Group and established the practice due to the growing demand for services for forensic clients, and to satisfy her interest in exploring the interface between law and psychology. Carla holds full registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist. She specializes in providing psycholegal assessments and reports for Court, having completed her Masters degree in Forensic Psychology in 2010. Carla is often required to give evidence in Court as an expert witness and has experience working with clients of diverse backgrounds requiring psychological assessment for criminal charges, family law, Victims of Crime, and for civil matters including personal injury claims, immigration, and institutional abuse. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/carla-ferrariSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Michael Sugrue on issues that prevent law enforcement professionals from seeking mental health services. Michael Sugrue is a retired police sergeant with the City of Walnut Creek with over 14 years of service including specialized assignments as a Field Training Officer, SIU Detective and Undercover Special Agent assigned to California Department of Justice Drug Task Force. Before becoming a police officer, Michael served 6 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain (Security Forces) specializing in Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Air Base Ground Defense, Nuclear Security and Law Enforcement. As a new police sergeant, Michael encountered a situation that was not only tragic and surreal but it was a call for duty that changed his life forever. Michael found himself in reckless abandon and on the verge of self-destruction until he mustered the courage to ask for help. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/michael-sugrueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Isaac Baker about using data to improve individual, team and organisational decision-making. Isaac Baker is an Applied Behavioural Scientist with a focus on understanding and creating strategies to nudge and influence organisational behaviour and improve organisational performance. He works across Mapien’s suite of services adopting a data-driven approach to inform culture diagnostics, behaviour change and improve individual, team and organisational decision-making. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/isaac-bakerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks about why bulk billed Telehealth is unsustainable and will do harm to psychology practices in Australia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government expanded it’s Medicare-subsidised telehealth services to general practitioners and other health practitioners. Their 29 March 2020 media release states: “We are making telehealth a key weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding the consultation services available by telehealth is the next critical stage in the Government’s response to COVID-19.” This seems to be a great announcement from the government, but it is unsustainable for psychology practices in Australia. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/nesh-nikolic-telehealthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To my psychology friends and colleagues,  Australia is at the beginning of Coronavirus and there is an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Job losses, industry shutdowns, potential lockdown, and the domino effect of all these leads to possibly the hardest time for many Australians.  I urge all psychologists to share the benefits of maintaining good mental health and make themselves available for support in these times.  The reality is that in the current climate, stress, anxiety and depression will increase. If you are a psychologist you can, and should, promote your service. There is mixed messaging in the media on what will and won't shutdown, but as it stands right now psychology and all allied health businesses will remain open. Sharing the benefits of your service right now is not selfish, it is critically important to clients in need.  Much love, Nesh PS. Make sure you self care, this stress can get to us too. Episode links and video at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/nesh-nikolic-coronavirusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kath Koschel about her mission to achieve one million acts of kindness. Kath Koschel is a remarkable young woman who has taught herself to walk on three separate occasions, defying her medical prognosis of paralysis. An ex-professional athlete, she has broken her back twice; once while playing cricket for New South Wales and once while riding her bike training for an Iron Man after recovering from her first broken back. Kath’s life is one of inspiration, resilience and utter strength. There have been more than a few significant bumps along the way, but Kath has never let the setbacks get the better of her. With her physical and mental resilience, Kath has pulled herself through challenges that most of us could not comprehend, without letting them defy her belief that we all have the capacity to be better every day. But it’s her global movement and not for profit charity, The Kindness Factory that really lights her up. Founded in 2015 in memory of her deceased partner, The Kindness Factory promotes good will all around the world on a mission to achieve one million acts of kindness. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kath-koschel  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy and he is also recognised by Medicare Australia as a qualified provider of specialist clinical psychology services. His therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for his clients and has trained clinicians around Australia in ACT. Nesh holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Mary Andreadis is a Melbourne-based provisional psychologist. She has completed a Bachelors and Honours Degree in Psychology and is completing a Masters Degree in this field to become a qualified psychologist. Mary has worked as a mental health community support worker, counsellor and facilitated monthly anxiety support groups. Alongside all of this, she also writes a blog at MindIntertwined.com. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/nesh-nikolic-perfectionismSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.