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How’s That Working for You? (HTWFY)
How’s That Working for You? (HTWFY)
Author: The Cairnmillar Institute
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Description
How’s That Working For You? A Podcast for the Therapy Curious – it’s for anyone working in the mental health field who wonders if they’re doing a good job, if they know what they need to know or who sometimes ask an uncaring universe - Why didn’t they teach us about this stuff?!
There’s a lot of training and information out there, but often it’s not more knowledge we need, it’s the fine art of application we’re missing.
How’s That Working For You? will bring you conversations with experienced practitioners who want you to understand what on earth to do with the latest in applied training, research and clinical practice and who are generous enough to share some of their embarrassing mistakes and professional pitfalls so you can avoid them or at least know you’re in good company. Here you’ll find plenty of cautionary tales and new wisdom for those of you just getting started, those of you feeling stuck or even professional folk hoping to start over in rapidly changing professions. And if you’re not in the field but wanting behind the scenes access, this is the place to satisfy your desire to find out more about what makes therapy – and therapists – tick.
How’s That Working For You? Is brought to you by The Cairnmillar Institute - one of Australia’s leading centres for psychology, counselling and psychotherapy services and an industry leader in education and training. It’s hosted by Dr Zoe Krupka and produced by Dr Christine Brown.
There’s a lot of training and information out there, but often it’s not more knowledge we need, it’s the fine art of application we’re missing.
How’s That Working For You? will bring you conversations with experienced practitioners who want you to understand what on earth to do with the latest in applied training, research and clinical practice and who are generous enough to share some of their embarrassing mistakes and professional pitfalls so you can avoid them or at least know you’re in good company. Here you’ll find plenty of cautionary tales and new wisdom for those of you just getting started, those of you feeling stuck or even professional folk hoping to start over in rapidly changing professions. And if you’re not in the field but wanting behind the scenes access, this is the place to satisfy your desire to find out more about what makes therapy – and therapists – tick.
How’s That Working For You? Is brought to you by The Cairnmillar Institute - one of Australia’s leading centres for psychology, counselling and psychotherapy services and an industry leader in education and training. It’s hosted by Dr Zoe Krupka and produced by Dr Christine Brown.
8 Episodes
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In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Fairlie Morgan as we discuss challenges of colonial psychology. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"What were the harmful impacts are of those individualistic psychological theories?" "How do we embrace the non-individualistic frameworks in practice?"
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/staff/dr-zoe-krupka/
About Our Guest Fairlie Morgan
Fairlie has Masters level qualifications in psychology, extensive experience in clinical and psychiatric settings, and over 30 years of industry experience. She is also a Master Instructor in Mental Health First Aid, and a Mental Fitness Trainer. She has worked in a wide range of environments, with a focus on high-risk and trauma related mental health. These have included psychiatric hospitals, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (both the Queensland and Victorian divisions), Phoenix Australia, and the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (now Fire Rescue Victoria) in Melbourne.
Fairlie is equally passionate about diversity and inclusivity in responding to trauma. Her mother is Aboriginal, and Fairlie partly grew up in a remote Aboriginal community and identifies as Aboriginal. Her father’s family were Ashkenazi Jewish refugees to Australia after WWII. She strongly believes in finding strength and opportunities for growth out of adversity.
https://www.actmindfullyconsulting.com.au
The Cairnmillar Institute
For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. In the next episode, we’ll be speaking to a Cairnmillar Alum about antiracist practice. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 12th of February, 2026.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Annie Pollock as we discuss late-diagnosed autistic women. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"Why does it takes so long for neurodivergent/autistic women to get diagnosed?" "How does the work of a clinical naturopath blend with the work of a psychologist?" "How do you manage relationships post diagnosis?"
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/staff/dr-zoe-krupka/
About Our Guest Annie Pollock
Annie Pollock is a Clinical Naturopath and owner of Mind Naturopathy, where she specialises in holistic mental health support. She is also a psychologist-in-training, having recently completed her Honours year at the Cairnmillar Institute. Her Honours thesis, Late Bloomers: Exploring the Emotional Landscape of Autistic Women’s Experiences of a Late Autism Diagnosis, delves into the unique challenges and emotional experiences surrounding this phenomenon.
As a late-diagnosed neurodivergent individual, Annie is a passionate advocate for neurodiversity-affirming care, both within her naturopathy practice and her future psychology work. She has a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent individuals with co-occurring health conditions, such as Pre-menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, hypermobility/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast-Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and gastrointestinal and thyroid conditions.
To connect with Annie, you can find her on Instagram or TikTok at @mindnaturopathy or visit her website at anniepollock.com
http://www.anniepollock.com
Late bloomers: Exploring the emotional landscape of Australian women’s experiences of a late Autism diagnosis - Annie Pollock, Zoë Krupka, 2026
The Cairnmillar Institute
For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 4th of December, 2024.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Dr Kathomi Gatwiri as we discuss dealing with race in the therapy room. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"What is the difference between feeling at peace vs liberated?" "What nuances work and are promoted in the western non-black context but will not be effective for an African context?”
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
Dr Zoe Krupka is a psychotherapist, Senior Lecturer, and host of the podcast How's That Working For You? at the Cairnmillar Institute. Zoe writes regularly for industry publications and the media and provides commentary with a focus on relational ethics and understanding the therapeutic process. You can find her website at zoekrupka.com.
About Our Guest Dr Kathomi Gatwiri
D Kathomi Gatwiri is a nationally recognised scholar, researcher, and leader whose work bridges academic research and community impact. She is a Professor in the Social Work Discipline at Flinders University and an ARC DECRA Fellow at the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
As one of Australia’s leading Afro-diasporic scholars, Kathomi’s research focuses on decolonising methodologies and anti-racist pedagogies. Her interdisciplinary work explores racial trauma, identity, migranthood, and the experiences of minoritised people, particularly those assigned 'categories of difference’ in Australia. She developed the Racial Dignity Theory and the Racial Dignity Framework, as a tool for understanding racism as an assault on human dignity. This framework has been adopted across various organisational settings.
Since completing her PhD, Dr Gatwiri has secured over $1.5 million in competitive research funding. She has published more than 100 traditional and non-traditional research outputs, including the books African Womanhood and Incontinent Bodies and Afrodiasporic Identities in Australia.
She is the Founder and Director of Healing Together, a service offering culturally affirming therapeutic support for people impacted by racial trauma, and Femicide Count Kenya, a platform documenting murdered Kenyan women. She served for four years as President of the Australian Women and Gender Studies Association and is a member of the advisory committee for the Australian Human Rights Commission's Racism@Uni national study
https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/kathomi.gatwiri
The Cairnmillar Institute
For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. In the next episode, we’ll be speaking to a Cairnmillar Alum about antiracist practice. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July, 2025.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Ari Heart as we discuss dealing with dysphoria. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"Has our training mislocated the problem with dysphoria as just internal?" "How can therapists be vulnerable and own their anxiety and ignorance but leave space for pause?”
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/staff/dr-zoe-krupka/
About Our Guest Ari Heart
Ari Heart is a Trans non-binary person, a psychotherapist, a parent, an educator, And co-founder of trans well-being.
Trans well-being provides Support and education to therapists, working with trans clients. trans wellbeing also supports parents of trans people through a course and group program.
Ari's interest and dedication is in providing the world information that goes well beyond the foundations of trans inclusion and respect, but which makes inclusion and respect come intuitively and authentically.
https://www.transwellbeing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-heart-650296234/
The Cairnmillar Institute
For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. In the next episode, we’ll be speaking to a Cairnmillar Alum about antiracist practice. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 28th of August, 2024.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, Dr Zoe chats with Psychologist, Board Approved Supervisor and Sexologist Laura Lee about how therapists can have better, meaningful and more helpful conversations about sex with their clients.
Today we try to answer all the big sexy questions:
Why did we learn so little about sex in our training?
What does good sexual communication look like in the therapy room?
Why is sex so important?
Don't miss this deep dive into the importance of sex to our health and wellbeing and how to prioritise conversations about sex in your work with clients.
About our guest:
Sexologist and Psychologist Laura Lee has over 17 years of experience working with individuals and healthcare providers to help people access high quality sexual education and sexual healthcare. She provides coaching, supervision and individual psychological and sexual therapy with a core focus on embracing an alive and deeply pleasurable sexuality without shame.
https://www.lauralee.com.au/
https://www.bluespacepsychology.com.au/about
Key Publication
https://journalofpositivesexuality.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/10.51681.1.1024_The_Impact_of_Communication_on_Sexual_Response_Summary-Lee.pdf
The Cairnmillar Institute
Discover how our commitment to Better Mental Health can empower you on your personal journey. For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Dr Lou Cooper about rupture and repair. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"How does psychotherapy really work?" "What does a good therapeutic relationship look like? How can we manage relationship difficulties in therapy?"
Don't miss this enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/staff/dr-zoe-krupka/
About our guest: Dr Lou Cooper
Dr Lou Cooper is an experienced presenter, facilitator, counsellor, clinical supervisor and trainer. Lou is an AHPRA registered supervisor, an internationally accredited supervisor in Emotion Focused Therapy, and Chair and Head of Training at the Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy.
Host of the Emotion Focused podcast emotionfocused.com
Counselling psychologist
Head of Training at Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy
http://aieft.org.au
https://www.emotionfocused.com/
The Cairnmillar Institute
Discover how our commitment to Better Mental Health can empower you on your personal journey. For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July, 2024.
In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Adjunct Professor George Habib about how therapists navigate their relationships with their clients. Today we try to answer the important questions:
How does psychotherapy really work?
What does a good therapeutic relationship look like?
How do we deal with relationship difficulties in therapy?
Don't miss this enlightening episode that unveils what is truly important in therapy (spoiler alert: it's not technique).
About our guest:
Adjunct Professor George Habib:
George is Adjunct Professor and a Council member at the Cairnmillar Institute and the Director – Wellbeing Services at the University of Melbourne. He has over 25 years of experience in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist.
During his time at Monash Health, George, together with senior colleagues, developed and implemented a range of clinical programs in public health including the Agile Psychological Medicine Clinics.
George has also led psychology governance programs including managing Clinical Education and Post graduate Student and Psychology Registrar programs in public health and continues to work on improving client outcomes in health and welfare settings.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/george-habib-8443423a
The therapist effect
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-81510-009
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0005796725000117#:~:text=Today%2C%20it%20is%20common%20knowledge,Wampold%20%26%20Owen%2C%202021).
Characteristics of Effective Therapists: Further Analyses of Data From the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program, Blatt, Sidney J ; Sanislow III, Charles A ; Zuroff, David C ; Pilkonis, Paul A., Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 1996-12, Vol.64 (6), p.1276-1284
The importance of professional self-doubt:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10503307.2025.2506650?src=#abstract
The Cairnmillar Institute
Discover how our commitment to Better Mental Health can empower you on your personal journey. For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 7th of June, 2024.
In this first episode of How's That Working For You?, our host Dr Zoe chats with our very own producer Dr Christine embark on an intriguing exploration of the therapists' world. We discuss the delicate art of maintaining boundaries in the therapy space, pondering what makes us more comfortable with our therapeutic work and whether helping clients find betterment also makes them better individuals. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"How much of yourself do you bring into the room?"
"Is it ok to accommodate myself even if I'm the therapist?"
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About our host Dr Zoe Krupka
Dr Zoe Krupka is a psychotherapist, Senior Lecturer, and host of the podcast How's That Working For You? at the Cairnmillar Institute. Zoe writes regularly for industry publications and the media and provides commentary with a focus on relational ethics and understanding the therapeutic process. You can find her website at zoekrupka.com.
About our guest Dr Christine Brown
Dr Christine Brown is a psychologist and is the Course Coordinator of the Diploma of Counselling, and the producer of How's That Working For You at the Cairnmillar Institute. Christine works in private practice as a psychologist working with children, adolescents, and adults, supporting them through a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, workplace stress, relationships, and parenting.
The Cairnmillar Institute
Discover how our commitment to Better Mental Health can empower you on your personal journey. For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. Thank you for joining us on the How's That Working For You? podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance.
Links/resources/information:
Books mentioned:
The Power of Now: Eckhart Tolle
The Secret: Rhonda Byrne
Real life therapists:
Couple's Therapy Orna Guralnik
Where Should We Begin: Esther Perel
Therapists depicted in shows:
Shrinking
In treatment
Frasier



