When Work Hurts

In this episode Dr Paula Redmond speaks with a team of colleagues in Wales about their groundbreaking and award-winning work on avoidable employee harm within NHS complaint and disciplinary processes. Working at the intersection of psychology, HR, and healthcare quality improvement Benna Waites, Dr Adrian Neal, and Andrew Cooper highlight the wide-ranging psychological and systemic impacts of complaints processes, not only for the staff under investigation and their teams, but also for the managers and HR professionals handling these cases. They discuss interventions and initiatives designed to reduce harm and promote psychological safety in this arena, with meaningful impact at both operational and policy levels. This episode shines a light on what it takes to build cultures of care within organisations, where accountability and compassion can coexist — and how clinical psychologists can bring something unique to organisational systems change. About the speakers: Benna Waites: Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Joint Professional Lead for Psychology, Counselling and Arts Therapies for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (co-leading around 300 staff). Programme Director for Leading People – a successful in house intensive leadership development programme currently celebrating its 10th year. Seconded part time in the national improvement team in NHS Wales and chaired the national Psychology for Improvement project funded by the Health Foundation’s q Community. Co-founder of http://compassionpractices.net – set up during the pandemic to make compassion practices – a highly structured conversation to support compassion in groups of staff – freely available. Dr Adrian Neal: Consultant Clinical Psychologist / Head of Employee Wellbeing Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Andrew Cooper: Head of Programmes for Employee Wellbeing, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Resources Bristol University Press | Under Investigation - Transforming Disciplinary Practice in the Workplacewww.hpma.org.uk/avoiding-harmUnderstanding the Impact of Employee Investigations on Those Who Lead Them: A Case Study from NHS Waleswww.compassionpractices.netWhat does it really mean to lead with curiosity, especially in today’s complex health and care systems? | Improvement Cymru ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and...

Dr Paula Redmond speaks with two clinical psychologists — Dr Caroline Taylor and Dr Amber Johnston — about their personal stories of receiving a fitness to practise complaint. They discuss what it was like to go through the process, how it affected them personally and professionally, and what they’ve learned along the way. Together they reflect on themes of shame, fear, and isolation, but also on meaning-making, growth and the importance of support. _____ About the speakers: Dr Caroline Taylor is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. You can connect with her via Psychology Today or LinkedIn. Dr Amber Johnston is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist. She runs the Healthy Mind Psychology clinic. You can connect with her on Instagram or Linkedin. ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

What should do you do if you get a fitness to practise complaint? What can you expect from the process? How long does it take, what are the possible outcomes, and where can you go to get support? To answer these questions Paula spoke with Nicholas Stöckling, who works with psychologists and other health professionals as a regulatory adviser providing legal and emotional Fitness to Practise guidance, as well as webinars and training for professional bodies. In this conversation, Nicholas discusses his extensive experience with fitness to practise issues and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). He shares insights into the emotional and professional impacts of fitness to practice complaints on health professionals, particularly psychologists. The discussion covers the purpose of the HCPC, the investigation process, potential sanctions, and practical advice for professionals facing complaints. Nicholas emphasises the importance of understanding the process, seeking support, and maintaining mental health during challenging times. ____ To get in touch with Nicholas you can contact him via email or LinkedIn. Listeners may find the following resources helpful: ACP-UK Webinars (free to members): Demystifying the HCPC Part 1Demystifying the HCPC Part 2Navigating the Grey Zone: Everyday Boundary Dilemmas in Psychological Work Emotional Agility by Susan David – an accessible book offering practical strategies for navigating uncertainty and psychological pressure. ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

This conversation delves into the research conducted by Dr Naomi Hogben on the impact of formal complaints on early career Clinical Psychologists in the NHS. Naomi discusses the lack of existing research on the experiences of clinicians receiving complaints, the methodology of her study, and the significant emotional and systemic challenges faced by those involved. The findings reveal a lack of support during the complaints process and the profound emotional impact on clinicians. Naomi highlights the need for better communication and support systems, and the importance of talking more openly about complaints within the profession. Naomi mentions the published paper: How do healthcare professionals experience being subject to complaint? A meta-synthesis of reported psychosocial impacts ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

In this conversation Clinical Psychologist Professor Noelle Robertson discusses the profound impact of fitness to practice complaints on psychologists and other health professionals. She outlines the research in this field which highlights the emotional toll these complaints take, the inadequacies of support systems, and the long-lasting legacy they leave on practitioners. The discussion also touches on the increasing trend of complaints, the importance of preparing for potential complaints in clinical practice, and the need for open discussions within the profession to foster better support and understanding. Noelle mentions the published paper: How do healthcare professionals experience being subject to complaint? A meta-synthesis of reported psychosocial impacts About the speaker, Professor Noelle Robertson, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Leicester: I am a chartered clinical and health psychologist who has worked in clinical training for over 20 years, having managed an NHS department of Medical Psychology before that. I have had a longstanding interest in working with, and conducting research on how we are affected by the work that we do. Having worked with HCPC as a professional registrant have become increasingly aware of the impact of complaints on health professionals, and have sought to explore this within my own profession. ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Dr Paula Redmond, Clinical Psychologist, announces that Season 7 of the When Work Hurts podcast is on its way, with a special focus on surviving complaints. This season is brought to you by the Association of Clinical Psychologists, the representative professional body for clinical psychologists in the UK. As a professional having a formal complaint made against you is something we all dread, but not something we talk about very often. In the episodes coming up we’ll take a deep dive into understanding the impact of going through a complaints process, particularly for psychologists; what actually happens if you receive a fitness to practice complaint, advice about how to deal with this, and a broader look at some of the systemic issues at play. You'll hear conversations with clinical psychologists doing research in this field, a legal consultant who specialises in supporting psychologists going through complaints procedures, 2 clinical psychologists about their own experiences of surviving a complaint, and a team working on improving organisational responses to complaints in the NHS and beyond. Listen for a taster of what's coming up. ________________________________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

In this final episode of the ADHD miniseries Paula discusses ADHD and burnout with Dr Floriana Reinikis, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodivergence, and an ADHDer herself. They discuss the connection between ADHD and burnout, including the impact of workplace environments, over-compensation, perfectionism, and emotional regulation. Dr Reinikis also highlights the importance of understanding your own unique needs to support self-advocacy at work and identify strategies for preventing and responding to burnout. About the speaker: Dr Floriana Reinikis is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in neurodivergence, with extensive experience in conducting ADHD and Autism assessments and providing post-diagnostic support. She is passionate about delivering neuroaffirmative care that recognises and builds on individual strengths. In addition to working directly with neurodivergent individuals, she also trains mental health professionals in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD across the lifespan. You can get in touch with Floriana at Oasis Psychological Services or on LinkedIn Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

This conversation explores the personal journeys of 3 NHS clinicians diagnosed with ADHD as adults, focusing on their experiences with diagnosis, the impact on their lives, and the challenges they have faced in academic and professional settings. The discussion highlights the complexities of self-disclosure, advocacy, and the need for greater awareness and understanding of ADHD, particularly in women. They reflect on the misconceptions surrounding ADHD and the evolving narrative in society, emphasising the need for a more compassionate and informed approach to neurodivergence. Speakers' recommended resources: Scattered Minds by Gabor Mate Dirty Laundry by Richard and Roxanne Pink Ted Talk by Salif Mahamane called "ADHD sucks, but not really" ADHD Chatter Podcast Amazing Marvin productivity app Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Paula speaks with Clinical Psychologist Dr Lauren Breese about some of the complexities, controversies and opportunities around ADHD diagnosis, particularly in relation to work. The conversation includes: About the speaker: Dr Lauren Breese is a Clinical Psychologist and founder of 'and Psychology' (an assessment and therapy service for neurodivergent adults) and 'The Neurodiversity Practice' (a service supporting ND parents, as well as workplaces and mental health practitioners to embrace neuroinclusivity. Instagram: @_andpsychology_ @‌theneurodiversitypractice Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurenbreese www.linkedin.com/company/theneurodiversitypractice/ Lauren’s recommended resources: Podcasts: YouTube: Books: Book List - ND Parents — The Neurodiversity Practice Download our free neuroinclusion at work checklist to share with employers: Business | Neurodiversity in the Workplace — The Neurodiversity Practice Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Dr Paula Redmond, Clinical Psychologist, announces that Season Six of the When Work Hurts podcast is on its way, with a special focus on ADHD. This season is brought to you by the Association of Clinical Psychologists, the representative professional body for clinical psychologists in the UK. It's going to be a little bit different from previous seasons, as it's a three-episode mini-series exploring one topic - ADHD - from a range of perspectives. Over the series, Paula will be speaking with four clinical psychologists and one medic to help us understand some of the key issues in this field, including: Listen for a taster of what's coming up. ________________________________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

The Tree of Life is a narrative therapy approach that helps people to tell stories about themselves in ways that make them stronger. It uses the metaphor of a tree to support this process in creative ways and has a broad applicability in both therapeutic and professional contexts. In this episode, Paula is joined by Dr Julie Fraser and Dr Liz Matias, both clinical psychologists, who have written about their use of the Professional Tree of Life to support NHS staff in the ACP-UK book Psychological Staff Support in Healthcare. They discuss what the approach looks like, as well as the benefits and challenges. Links: Book: Psychological Staff Support in Healthcare: Thinking and Practice - Edited by Dr Harriet Conniff (www.sequoia-books.com) Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Reflective practice groups are a subject that has come up a few times on the podcast as being an important way of supporting both staff wellbeing and patient care. Paula wanted to explore this in more depth, so in this episode she is joined by Dr Arabella Kurtz, consultant clinical psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist to talk about her Heads and Hearts model. They discuss how reflective practice is defined in this context, the different components of the Heads and Hearts model, and common challenges. Arabella and her colleague Dr Joanna Levene have summarised the model in a chapter of the excellent ACP-UK book entitled ‘Psychological Staff Support in Healthcare’, which was edited by Dr Harriet Conniff. Links: Psychological Staff Support in Healthcare: Thinking and Practice - Edited by Dr Harriet Conniff (www.sequoia-books.com) A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of Group Reflective Practice in Medical Students - Kelvin C Y Leung and Carmelle Peisah (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Art and creativity are good for the soul, both in and out of work. In this episode Paula is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Chater, discussing her inspiring work with the take heART Project, which aims to enhance the wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors to the Bedfordshire Hospitals through the arts. Rachel describes how this more unusual psychology role took shape and how it's made a difference at multiple levels within the system. She tells us about some of the lovely art projects they've worked on and how these have been informed by psychological theory and formulation. The pair also talk about the challenges in this work and Rachel gives lots of great pragmatic advice for anyone who might be inspired to try something similar. Links: take heART website (/www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk) take heART email: takeheart@ldh.nhs.uk These are the Hands by Michael Rosen (www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk) Painting in Hospitals ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

So far this series has talked a lot about the impact of traumatic experiences on us as individuals. But working in healthcare usually means working in teams and experiencing distressing events as part of a team. In this episode, Paula speaks with Dr Sadie Thomas-Unsworth, consultant clinical psychologist and lead for staff support and palliative care, about the guidelines she and colleagues have written entitled Group Psychological ‘Debriefs’ - Practice guidance for post-event team reflection following distressing events at work. Published by the Association of Clinical Psychologists and authored by Sadie, Dr Harriet Conniff, Dr Joanna Farrington-Exley, Dr Zoe Berger and Dr Julie Highfield. Sadie’s links: Group Psychological Debriefs (acpuk.org.uk) Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, or EMDR, is a NICE recommended psychological treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, and is also becoming more widely used in the prevention of PTSD in healthcare settings where staff are exposed to traumatic events in their work. In this episode, Paula is joined by Dr Michael Paterson OBE, a clinical psychologist and EMDR Europe accredited senior trainer. Michael describes what EMDR is and how it can be used to support health professionals with both recent and past events, both big T and small T traumas. He also movingly talks about his own experiences of being involved in an explosion that led to life-changing injuries while he was a serving police officer in Northern Ireland and the difference EMDR has made to him personally and professionally. Michael’s details and links: Websites: drmichaelpaterson.com www.emdrmasterclass.com (visit the Resources page for tips for good EMDR Therapy practice and links to short training videos) Facebook: Michael Paterson YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/drmpaterson LinkedIn: Dr Michael Paterson OBE References: Jinhee Baek et al: Neural circuits underlying a psychotherapeutic regimen for fear disorders (www.nature.com) Marco Pagani: Neurobiological correlates of EMDR monitoring - an EEG study (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Zaghrout-Hodali: Building Resilience and Dismantling Fear: EMDR Group Protocol With Children in an Area of Ongoing Trauma (www.psy-tcc-mougins.fr) Francine Shapiro: Recent Events Protocol (emdrfoundation.org) Elan Shapiro: The EMDR Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR R- TEP) for Early EMDR Intervention (EEI) (emdrfoundation.org) Elan Shapiro: EMDR Group- Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) (emdrfoundation.org) Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps The Score (www.besselvanderkolk.com) ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Health professionals are not immune to trauma. In fact, many are motivated to become healthcare professionals as a way of understanding and even healing their own wounds. They are also vulnerable to experiencing trauma in their personal lives just as much as anyone else is, and especially likely to be exposed to trauma in their work. In this episode, Paula is joined by Dr Yvonne Waft, a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. Yvonne is the author of a new book, published by Sequoia Books in association with the ACP-UK, called Coping with Trauma: Surviving and Thriving in the Face of Overwhelming Events. Yvonne talks about her own experiences of trauma, how these have informed her professional life, and how health professionals can look after themselves when they are impacted by traumatic events, either in work or in their personal lives. Yvonne’s details and links: Website: www.catalystclinpsy.co.uk Instagram: @waftyvonne Facebook: Dr Yvonne Waft - Catalyst Clinical Psychology X: @catalystclinpsy LinkedIn: Dr Yvonne Waft Book: Coping With Trauma: Surviving and Thriving in the Face of Overwhelming Events - Sequoia Books Other links: ACP-UK ___________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Dr Paula Redmond, clinical psychologist, is back for season five of the When Work Hurts podcast. On this show, she explores the stories behind the statistics of the mental health crisis faced by health professionals today and provides hope for a way out through compassion, connection, and creativity. This season is brought to you by the Association of Clinical Psychologists, the representative professional body for clinical psychologists in the UK. Join Paula as she talks to inspiring clinical psychologists about their work in this field and learn how we can support ourselves and each other when work hurts. The new season launches on the 26th of March, 2024, and will be available on all major podcast apps. Subscribe now so you don't miss out. ________________________________ I’d love to connect with you so do come and find me on LinkedIn or at my website and do check out the ACP-UK and everything it has to offer. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Pete Lewin is a paramedic and director of Pete Lewin Newfoundlands. Pete and his pack of beautiful emotional support dogs take people out to swim with them (including frontline workers and first responders) with often transformative results. In this episode, he talks movingly about his work with the dogs and also some of the hard times he's been through in his paramedic career. Pete's website: http://petelewinnewfoundlands.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeteLewinNewfoundlands ________________________________ Full podcast transcript here Or watch as a video with subtitles ________________________________ I'd love to connect with you so come and find me on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Sign up to my weekly newsletter here to get updates about the podcast as well as psychology tips and insights direct to your inbox. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Health and social care professionals who work with people who've suffered traumatic experiences are themselves at risk of vicarious traumatisation. So what can you do to understand and protect yourself from this? This week Dr Paula Redmond is joined by Anne McKechnie, an independent Consultant Forensic and Clinical Psychologist. The pair discuss the psychological impact of being in a caring profession and the differences between vicarious traumatisation, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout. Anne also outlines steps we can take to prevent vicarious traumatisation at organisational, team and individual levels. Links mentioned by Anne: National trauma training programme by NHS Education for ScotlandBrene Brown on Empathy ________________________________ Full podcast transcript here Or watch as a video with subtitles ________________________________ I'd love to connect with you so come and find me on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Sign up to my weekly newsletter here to get updates about the podcast as well as psychology tips and insights direct to your inbox. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

The ways in which we relate to work are often shaped by our training experiences, and this is particularly true in medical education. Today Paula is talking to Dr Louise Younie, GP and Clinical Reader in Medical Education at Queen Mary University of London. The pair discuss how Louise draws on creative enquiry and the concept of flourishing to support medical students to embrace their vulnerability, find their voice, and value their humanity. You can connect with Louise on Twitter @LouiseYounie, or via her website. Also see her book chapter What Does Creative Enquiry Have to Contribute to Flourishing in Medical Education? and paper on vulnerable leadership. ________________________________ Full podcast transcript here (including the images Louise mentions) Or watch as a video with subtitles ________________________________ I'd love to connect with you so come and find me on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Sign up to my weekly newsletter here to get updates about the podcast as well as psychology tips and insights direct to your inbox. Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!