In this episode I sit down with Professor Linda Byrne, clinical neuropsychologist and Dean of the Cairnmillar Institute, to unpack what’s going on in the world of psychology, neuropsychology, mental health care, and the messy intersection of labels, titles, coaches, influencers, algorithms, and self-diagnosis floating around out there.
We get into the difference between psychologists, neuropsychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, and coaches, which is handy because, let’s be honest, the mental health world can feel like a word salad with a Medicare rebate attached at times, aye.
Linda also explains the proposed changes to psychology training in Australia and why she’s worried that trying to pump out more psychologists faster might actually backfire. More access sounds great, obviously, but not if we end up lowering training standards, losing experienced providers, or still failing to get psychologists into the rural and regional areas where they’re desperately needed.
Then we wander, as I do, into ADHD, neurodiversity, social media diagnosis, algorithmic nonsense, learned helplessness, labels, identity, and whether a diagnosis becomes wings for freedom or an anchor that keeps us stuck.
It’s a really thoughtful, nuanced chat about reform, responsibility, self-awareness, and the importance of not outsourcing our entire sense of self to a reel that says “five signs you’re definitely ADHD.” Bloody algorithms, mate. Always stirring the pot.
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