Psychology, Actually

Why are so many employees burning out sometimes before their careers have even properly begun? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined once again by educational psychologist Dr Adam McCartney to explore the psychology of workplace wellbeing, burnout, leadership, identity, organisational culture and the growing impact of AI on confidence and autonomy at work.
We discuss how modern workplaces often prioritise productivity and metrics over human wellbeing, why early career professionals are struggling, and how organisational systems can either support or damage psychological safety.
The conversation explores mentorship, identity, communities of practise, whistleblowing, emotional labour, compassion fatigue, autonomy, burnout in healthcare and education, and why people thrive when they feel like they matter.
Timestamps
00:00 Why employees are burning out
01:47 Workplace wellbeing and organisations
04:09 Communities of practise and identity
06:52 Whistleblowing and organisational culture
10:54 Burnout in healthcare roles
13:40 Autonomy, competency and wellbeing
17:09 Why informal support matters
20:39 The pressure of performance metrics
24:39 Learning leadership safely
27:26 Mentorship and onboarding
29:46 Emotional collection and mattering
31:41 Identity, roles and belonging
35:52 Is AI reducing confidence and autonomy?
38:07 Adam’s podcast and final reflections

#PsychologyActually #Burnout #WorkplaceWellbeing
Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Adam McCartney: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-mccartney-afbpss-647ab1221/
Listen to his Podcast, between 2 Psychs: https://www.dradammccartney.com/betweentwopsychs
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent
💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.

Most therapy tries to understand what’s “wrong” with someone. But what if the person isn’t the problem at all? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent is joined by clinical psychologists Rosslyn Offord, Elizabeth Field and Polly Kaiser to explore narrative therapy a therapeutic approach that helps people separate themselves from problems, reconnect with identity, and rewrite the stories they hold about themselves.
We discuss trauma, grief, dementia, migration, stigma, ageing, burnout, community work, and how narrative therapy can support people across cultures and across the lifespan. The conversation also explores externalising problems, Tree of Life work, systemic therapy ideas, narrative approaches to dementia care, and how stories can shape both distress and recovery. This episode will be especially valuable for psychologists, therapists, counselling trainees, mental health professionals, systemic practitioners, and anyone curious about identity, therapy, and human stories.
Check out the book, Narrative Therapy and Older People: Challenging Stigma, Supporting Connection and Building Hope https://amzn.to/3PFW8qN
Timestamps
00:00 You are not the problem
01:00 What is narrative therapy?
04:28 How Rosslyn discovered narrative therapy
06:18 Narrative therapy in CAMHS and “Sneaky Poo”
08:29 Working with dementia and cognitive difficulties
11:38 Grief, remembering and storytelling
15:29 Why language matters in therapy
16:02 Narrative therapy, migration and trauma
18:01 Using a person’s own language in therapy
19:11 Tree of Life and cross-cultural work
20:32 Is narrative therapy evidence-based?
24:20 Life story work and dementia care
26:35 Is it ever too late to learn narrative therapy?
28:39 Dementia stigma and community connection
31:29 Who might benefit from narrative therapy?
34:27 The new narrative therapy book
38:41 Final reflections and resources

#PsychologyActually #NarrativeTherapy #ClinicalPsychology

Links:
📚 📲
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent
💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing

Why do people stay in abusive relationships?It’s one of the most common questions people ask after stories of trauma, coercion and abuse. But it’s often the wrong one.
In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I explore the psychology behind the question “Why didn’t she leave?” through the lens of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir Nobody’s Girl https://amzn.to/4tAA93f - unpacking trauma, grooming, coercive control, attachment, dissociation, threat, and why survival can look deeply misunderstood from the outside.
We explore what keeps people in harmful situations, why trauma reshapes choice, and how compassion helps us ask better questions.If you work in mental health, support survivors, or want to understand trauma more deeply, this is an important conversation.
Read Nobody's Girl, by Virginia Roberts Giuffre here: https://amzn.to/4tAA93f
Read Dave Pelzer Books: https://amzn.to/49bM5jE

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Why “Why didn’t she leave?” is the wrong question
01:58 The trauma, grooming and abuse at the centre of the story
03:09 Why we’re drawn to stories like this
05:19 Trauma and the need to make meaning
06:29 What stories like this teach us about prevention
07:54 Compassionate curiosity in mental health work
08:57 Trauma, parenting and keeping children safe
10:04 Why survivors may reconnect with harmful people
11:04 Attachment, longing and early wounds
12:16 Why she stayed – trauma, coercion and threat
13:38 Grooming, dissociation and distorted self-worth
14:41 Why fear and loyalty can override escape
15:40 Why this story still matters

If you find this video helpful you might also like my other videos in the psychology behind the story. There's Lily Allen, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Johanes Radebe & Kieron Dyer. You can find the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLatjYNXFAzGc_x3sPfAKBsUIhIoi8Ycrj
Links:
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent
💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#VirginiaGiuffre #princeandrew #epsteinfiles

What do you do when your child won’t go to school… and it doesn’t feel like defiance? In this episode of Psychology, Actually, we explore emotional based school avoidance (EBSA / EBSNA) – why it happens, when it’s most likely to start, and what actually helps children feel able to return to education.I’m joined by Educational Psychologist ⁨@Dr.AdamMcCartney⁩ and we discuss the psychology behind school refusal, the pressure on families and schools, and why one trusted teacher can sometimes make all the difference.If you’re a parent, professional, or aspiring psychologist trying to understand school anxiety, attendance difficulties, or child mental health, this episode will help you think about it differently.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Why “school refusal” might be the wrong term
01:36 What is EBSA / EBSNA?
04:09 Changing attitudes to education
06:12 Attendance pressure and parental stress
08:52 Why support becomes harder over time
15:04 The most common age for school avoidance
16:42 Secondary school transitions explained
17:38 The power of one teacher relationship
19:01 School attendance pressures and systems
21:27 What parents can do to support their child
22:22 What good pastoral care actually looks like
23:45 Relational vs behavioural approaches
24:41 Supporting children without blame
27:11 Real-life parenting reflections
30:08 Why emotional validation matters

Links:
📲 Listen to Adam's Podcast, Between Two Psychs: https://www.dradammccartney.com/betweentwopsychs Connect with Dr Adam McCartney here: https://www.dradammccartney.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-mccartney-afbpss-647ab1221/ https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/
🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and / or exclusive weekly content head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278 or to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOwjrIP_jatiqlAivJE2mgQ/join
📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0
📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97
💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership
🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses
Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)
✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources
📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent
💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity
Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:
If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes.
Hashtags:
#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing

Who are you… without the roles you’ve built your life around? In this Inner Work episode, we reflect on identity, validation, and the tension between who we are and how we’re seen. We explore what it means to rely on external markers of success and how we begin to build something more internal, stable and self-defined.
📩 Business & Collaboration Enquiries ✉️ Email: [email protected]
⚠️ Disclaimer This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk.
© Dr Marianne Trent