Talking Child Development

The Talking Child Development podcast unpacks important topics and conversations related to child and family development. Every episode aims to provide mental health professionals with insights into family life based on theory and experience in the field. Join Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven as she interviews experts including paediatricians, early childhood educators, child psychotherapists and infant-parent therapists. From communication to attachment, we dive into the ‘why’ behind relationships and behaviour. This podcast is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development and Psychodynamic Counselling.

#31 Hearing the Voices of Aboriginal Children and Young People with Meena Singh

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in Victoria. Meena is a Yorta Yorta and Indian woman, born, raised and living on the land of the Kulin Nations. Meena commenced her legal career with Victoria Legal Aid where she practiced in human rights and criminal law and was the inaugural Asssociate Director Aboriginal Services. She has led legal services and programs at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Human Rights Law Centre as well as consulting in training and organisational development.   www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

06-19
01:14:45

#30 Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children with Dr. Fiona Zandt

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Fiona Zandt. Dr. Zandt is a clinical psychologist and play therapist who works with children with a wide range of emotional, social and behavioural challenges and their families. Fiona has authored the acclaimed Creative Way series for therapists and runs creative child therapy workshops for professionals. www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

05-06
37:04

#29 Protecting our children with Liana Buchanan

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks to Liana Buchanan, Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People for the State of Victoria. Liana is also part-time Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. She has a background in oversight and system reform for people experiencing disadvantage and those affected by family and sexual violence and abuse. www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

03-18
53:19

#28 Parenting in the digital age with Dr. Catherine Jeffery

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks to Dr Catherine Page Jeffery, lecturer in Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. Her current research addresses digital media and families with a particular focus on parenting in the digital age and its accompanying anxieties. She is the author of a new book Parenting in a Digital World Beyond Media Panics: Towards a new theory of parental mediation, published by Routledge. www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

02-18
53:52

#27 Trauma informed preventive care with Dr. Catherine Olweny

In this podcast, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Catherine Olweny. Catherine is a specialist paediatric anaesthetist who in the course of her work, is aware of the high levels of stress and anxiety experienced by children having surgery and other medical interventions. She has taken the unusual path in addition to her specialist medical work, of training in clinical hypnosis and therapeutic child play. Dr. Olweny is also the key area lead in promoting trauma-informed preventive care in the tertiary hospital setting, which includes both practitioners and patients.   www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

09-24
50:03

#26 Grandmotherland: exploring the myths and realities with Dr. Judith Edwards

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Judith Edwards about her recently published book Grandmotherland. A far cry from conventional ideas of how to be a grandmother, Judith explores the challenges and risks of this important phase of the family life cycle. Judith has published extensively in the field, and she has a particular interest in the links between psychoanalysis, culture and the arts and making these ideas accessible to a wider audience. References:  www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

08-06
32:38

#25 Motherhood and mothering: the value of caring to create more holistic support for families with Virginia Tapscott

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Journalist Virginia Tapscott who has written extensively about the undervaluing of mothering and the devaluation of caregiving in general. Virginia is based in country New South Wales. She has four children, and her writing and reporting have ranged from agricultural issues to gender equality, what children need for healthy development and the impact of sexual abuse.   References:  www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

06-25
01:01:29

#24 Being good with feelings is more important than feeling good with Dr. Jon Jureidini

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Jon Jureidini, Child Psychiatrist and Head of Psychological Medicine at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. Dr. Jureidini also heads the Critical and Ethical Mental Health Research Group at the University of Adelaide. He explains the problems associated with pathologising all things emotional in our world, and how we need to attend to the social determinants of mental health in the community. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References:  www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

05-07
50:10

#23 School refusal, or school can’t – what schools and parents can do with Brydie Huggins

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with School Psychologist Brydie Huggins about the current problem of school refusal or ‘school can’t’. Brydie has worked across the developmental spectrum from kindergarten to year 12 in public and private school settings. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References:  www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

03-26
37:47

#22 Making dadding a team sport again with Ryan Carters

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Ryan Carters, father of three, a former professional cricketer and founder of Dadfit. This non-profit organization aims to ‘make dadding a team sport again’ and support dads’ mental and physical health and promote their relationship skills. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

02-20
33:14

#21 How a psychodynamic approach contributes to our mental health wth Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

In this episode Amanda Stone, educationalist and committee member of the Association of Child and Family Development talks to Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven, child and adolescent psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, author, and trainer. They discuss the unique contribution of psychodynamic thinking to the promotion of child, adolescent, adult, and family mental health.   Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

11-28
52:30

#20 Forgotten children: bringing child refugees into focus with Jordana Silverstein

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Dr. Jordana Silverstein, cultural historian, and senior research fellow in the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness, in the Melbourne Law School. They speak about her recently published groundbreaking book, Cruel Care: a history of children at our borders, that describes the treatment of child refugees at our borders. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

09-26
43:38

#19 New frontiers in child and adolescent psychotherapy research: developing the evidence base with Professor Nick Midgley

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Professor Nick Midgley in the UK, a Professor of Psychological Therapies with Children and Young People at University College London and the Anna Freud Centre. This episode discusses the essential links between clinical practice and research. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com 

08-15
01:06:06

#18 Mindful separation and divorce without court with Mary Louise Hatch

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Mary Louise Hatch, a collaboratively trained family lawyer, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner. They discuss her work with parents and families going through separation and divorce and how couples can be helped to avoid the emotionally and financially draining experience of going to court.   Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

06-20
44:36

#17 Expressing the Unspeakable: Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Family Violence with Dr. Kirsten Meyer

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Dr. Kirsten Meyer, Drama Therapist who has a particular interest in how the Arts can be used to enhance the capacity of care workers to respond to children and young people. Kirsten currently leads a team of creative arts, therapists, and counsellors in a community-based organisation in Melbourne, working with children, young people and their carers who have experienced family violence.   Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

04-25
45:41

#16 ADHD Over-diagnosed: Why we should be worried with Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

In this podcast, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven sounds a warning about  ADHD as a disposal diagnosis for vulnerable children, adolescents and adults that papers over complex social problems post Covid, and ignores longstanding clinical and research evidence of parent/child relational attachment that underpins the capacity for attention and self-regulation. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

03-28
34:09

#15 Growing Boys Need Their Fathers on Board with Scott Cadby

In this episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Scott Cadby, school counsellor and wellbeing coordinator at an all-boys college in Melbourne. This conversation discusses what helps boys develop positive mental health through adolescence and how much they need their fathers as mentors and supporters in this critical process. Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven is a child psychotherapist, clinical psychologist and educator, who has brought a pioneering approach to clinical work that emphasizes the essential nature of the meaning of behaviour. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

02-21
31:49

#14 It’s not just child’s play with Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven presents her talk; It’s not Just Child’s Play: Understanding the meaning of children’s behaviour. Far from being dismissed as a simplistic process, child’s play is part of everyday ‘work’. It is a rich complex and meaningful experience that helps children make sense of their world and helps adults to make sense of children’s behaviour. Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven is a child psychotherapist, clinical psychologist and educator, who has brought a pioneering approach to clinical work that emphasizes the essential nature of the meaning of behaviour. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

11-29
39:57

#13 Broken: Children, Parents and Family Courts with Dr. Catharine Lumby

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with professor of media at the University of Sydney, Dr Catharine Lumby. We discuss the book 'Broken: Children, Parents and Family Courts' written by Catharine together with lead author Associate Professor Camilla Nelson. In this episode, we talk about what has been described as the lacerating culture of family courts that does not serve the best interests of children, ways in which is denies them a voice, and the need for urgent reform of the system. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

10-18
44:05

#12 Working with distressed adopted children and children in care with Adam Goren

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist, Adam Goren. Adam has a special interest in using sensory-attachment strategies, parent-child interventions and family advocacy in addressing mental distress and relational trauma. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com 

09-20
42:18

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