New Art Installation at City of Perth Surf Club "In this moment, we are here"  I have two of the best jobs on earth.  Being a Psychologist and Coach, I have conversations with the most wise, resilient, and inspiring people you could meet in their best or toughest moments. 20+ years on and it has been like launching a drone above a hundred different pathways and observing where each of them lead. The privilege is amplified even further by leading a team whom I suspect I have learned twice as much from as they of me. The other best job on earth? Well, they are all fast asleep as I type. And not for the first time, I am asking myself how my children’s lives can be better for the humility of my profession. I was recently asked the question “What have you learned from being a Psychologist that you wish you knew earlier?” I confess my response has kept me awake some nights since about both of my privileged roles. Master the art of conversation, particularly diffi...

Psychological health, data and meeting the challenge to organisations When I was small, I read the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes.  The Emperor was tricked into thinking his thread was visible only to the smartest people in the land. No one dared say that to their eyes the Emperor was naked (even though he actually  was  naked) until a small child spoke up, unencumbered by what others thought of him.  The truth is, I have been designing and delivering organisational psychological health interventions for decades without really having hard data to tell me if what we were doing was enough.  It’s not enough. And there are 3 things I’ve been unable to ignore: Mental health issues are increasing faster than societal awareness or our efficiency in addressing them (33% of some sectors have a diagnosable disorder, with 61% of these never receiving professional support and only 3% on average using their EAP). Stigma, lack of awareness and confidentiality ar...

Joe sat in the waiting room with a newspaper, but he couldn't have told you what he was reading. Working hard at the appearance of being relaxed, he wondered for the 10 th time in the hour whether he really needed to be here.  Fatigue, heart palpitations, muscle soreness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, low grade nausea and sleep disturbance had led to this appointment.  But Joe wasn’t in a GP’s practice.  That would have been easy.  He was in a Psychologist’s office for a plan to manage an anxiety disorder. Joe was tired of feeling tired, and frustrated with feeling frustrated. Work stress merged into irritability with the kids.  He checked his phone relentlessly in meetings, elevators and watching TV.  He worked later and went in earlier because being at his desk was the only way to pacify the anxiety.  In his heart he knew he was far from productive. Whatever crossed his mind became a focal point, somewhat like a tail...

Vital Conversations are delighted to announce a partnership with ground breaking technology firm Medibio (MEB).  It is the most exciting development in stress, depression and anxiety in decades, identifying that circadian heart rhythm (CHR)  is altered  before  there are any other measurable signs of psychological distress.   Working in partnership with Medibio and our corporate, non-government and government clients - our pilot program of measurement and early intervention will roll out in October 2015.  Sign up to our newsletter for further updates on the trial's progress at  our website .     For further information or to be a part of the trial program call 08 9382 8274.  ASX Announcement: Medibio & Vital Conversations - piloting new technology to support psychological wellbeing of individuals and organisations - 25th Sept 2015 To read more about the device:  Medibio

R U Ok day is all about taking the time to check in with people around us.  Here are some thoughts about how to start or have those conversations;   Think about what you have observed that has you feel concerned and start there. “You look a little tired lately and I know you’ve got a lot on… How are you travelling?” Most people have at least 3 conversations before they decide to seek help. Even if you don’t see it right now, your care has made a difference. The most important moments often come after a silence. Don’t feel you have to fill it.  Being there is enough. Telling someone you are struggling takes courage. “Hey... Thanks for telling me” is powerful even if we aren’t sure yet what will come next. Remember that it is not up to you to give advice or ‘fix’ anything. “How can I most help?”  is a good start. Don’t put yourself under pressure to have the conversation go perfectly.  We like to thi...

I have a question… Q. What do the following have in common? A CEO referred for coaching A Team Leader with a grievance lodged against the 500 employees listening to the announcement of organisational change A couple experiencing conflict   A.      Success or failure in these tasks will primarily depend on how each of them respond to vulnerability. Vulnerability is not a very Corporate sounding word and consequently, this is a bold assertion.  I’m not sure there are many MBA units dedicated to the topic.  Yet in my 20 years of working with people in the board room, the counselling room and the class room, how people respond to vulnerability is the fastest way I have of getting to know both their capacity for learning and their most powerful development task. Brene Brown writes extensively in this area, and notes the intolerance we have developed in the present day for vulnerability. Take emailing over face to face communication....