Do you have students who experience anxiety from time to time? Perhaps they are your perfectionistic high achieving students. Or maybe they are the students who find it difficult to come to class. They might avoid assessment tasks or struggle to speak in front of the class.

Paul Watkins is a self-professed Story teller, Mountain Climber, Business Owner, Ultra Runner, Adventurer, Pharmacist, Husband, Father, Nerd, all with capital letters. In March 2019 he won the 6633 Arctic Ultra marathon racing 617km across the arctic and in October this year, he is going to be a human book in the Human Library 3280. We are so lucky to introduce you to Paul and have him join us for this very special Conversation on the Couch.

Writers Rocky Hatley, the actor, and Jodie Fleming, the psychologist, met and became friends in the Literary Kitchen, an online writing class taught by Ariel Gore. Bonding over their mutual love of writing and cinema, they join forces to critique movies in a way that only an actor and a psychologist can. Unique and insightful. This is their review of the story of Elton John, Rocketman.

Dr Toni Lindsay is a Clinical and Health Psychologist who has been working with both adults and adolescents for over 10 years. She works at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in the Oncology and Haematology departments, and is a specialist in the care of Adolescents and Young Adults with cancer. In addition to this work, she sits on several committees and working parties about the psychological impact of chronic and acute health conditions. Toni teaches in the University of Sydney Nursing School and is passionate about working with and teaching health professionals about the psychological impact of cancer on both patients and health care professionals.

Courtney Guy is a country girl who loves the simple life, a glass of sav blanc and the SBS Food Channel. Talking is her specialty, ask anyone who knows her! With an undergrad in psychology, she was armed with the education that she thought she needed to enter the world of adolescent mental health. Little did she know that the young people she has worked with over the last three and a half years have taught her more than any textbook ever will. Thank you Courtney, for this insightful Conversation on the Couch.

Laura is a freshly qualified psychologist living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. She is the lucky wife of a very patient and supportive husband and is a mother to two beautiful boys. Her most favourite things include beach days, adventures with her family and friends, her morning chai latte, CrossFit training and ice cream (not necessarily in that order). She is passionate about supporting women with the transition to motherhood; is a staunch advocate for congenital heart disease awareness and keen supporter of the wonderful charity Heart Kids. Today, she joins us for an insightful Conversation on the Couch. 

Maddison, a Psychology student of Swinburne University, is striving to breakdown the stigma in mental health and promote the importance of wellbeing using her own experiences of anxiety and depression management. Maddison lives for each and every day, the good and the bad, as her gratitude and purpose shine through. Today, she joins us for a beautiful Conversation on the Couch.

 In 2010, exactly one month after the end of her marriage, a thirty-seven-year-old psychologist is diagnosed with two primary breast cancers. Determined to help herself, she develops her own toolkit to conquer cancer's psychological minefield of grief & loss, infertility, surgeries & survival. 

A Hole in My Genes is Dr Jodie Fleming's first book and is now widely available in paperback and eBook. Find out more at Jodie's new website.