BURNOUT PSYCHOLOGY SUPPORT PORTFOLIO

In November 2024, I had the privilege of speaking at the Health Hatch Monthly Soirée on the topic of burnout. This enriching event brought together a community of health professionals and business owners eager to deepen their understanding of burnout and its impact on their personal and professional lives.

I shared insights into the clinical nature of burnout, its causes, symptoms, and pathways to recovery, with a focus on empowering attendees to prioritise their well-being. I was honoured to speak alongside Ashley, who bravely shared her personal journey of burnout as a small business owner.

This event, spearheaded by Caroline, is a remarkable community initiative that fosters meaningful conversations and equips participants with the tools they need to care for themselves while continuing to provide care and service to their clients, patients, and customers.

I am available to speak on the topic of burnout at your event. Contact me today to discuss your event needs.

Earlier 2024, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Marie Stella, host of Self-Improvement Atlas: Personal Resilience Science Labs Podcast , for an open conversation about compassion fatigue—a topic I know many of us can relate to. In this episode, I shared both my personal experiences and clinical insights into what it means to navigate compassion fatigue and the toll of providing an empathic environment day in and day out.

This chat is packed with wisdom and practical takeaways to help you recognise, manage, and hopefully prevent compassion fatigue in your own life. I hope that my journey and expertise offer some support and guidance for those who need it. I really enjoyed sharing this and hope you find value in it too!

Tune in and, if it resonates, please share, like, or let me know in the comments if you found it helpful. Let’s support each other in prioritising well-being.

It was a pleasure to sit down with one of my podcast guests, Rowena Hicks, a teacher who has turned burnout coach and advocate. It was a great opportunity to be able to share my wisdom and experience with a group of professionals in much need of support, love and care.

In this podcast, I explore the impact of burnout on teachers and leaders. I share aspects of my personal journey of experiencing severe burnout in 2021 after years as a registered psychologist in Australia.

I discuss the shame and stigma surrounding mental illness and burnout, particularly for those in caring professions like teaching. I emphasise the emotional toll of compassion fatigue and the importance of finding trusted individuals to confide in during times of struggle.

We also dive into practical recovery strategies from my book, Nothing Left to Give, which focuses on recognising the early signs of burnout and taking proactive steps toward healing. I highlight the need for more than just rest, with recovery rooted in sleep, nutrition, movement, and seeking professional help.

I encourage mindfulness, journaling, and self-compassion as powerful tools for personal growth and emotional recovery, offering listeners actionable tips to prevent burnout and make sustainable changes for improved well-being.

I feel deep gratitude for the opportunity and the strength to share my experience and wisdom. It's not something I've always had the strength, courage and whether-all to do. Healing and growth can happen.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael, the host and creator of the Deep Dive podcast, to share my journey from burnout to recovery. We delved into thought-provoking questions that brought out my natural tendency to overshare—something that aligns perfectly with the heart of Michael's podcast. I’m always grateful for opportunities to share my story because I learned early on that when I keep feelings of shame to myself—like the shame I felt as a psychologist burning out—it only worsens my mental health. By opening up about my experience, I hope to inspire others to break the silence and begin their own path toward recovery and growth, whatever that may look like for them.

In June 2024, I had the privilege of working with a dedicated group of allied health professionals committed to enhancing their mental health and well-being. The workshop I developed was tailored to their specific needs, based on feedback from all staff members.

The workshop was meticulously crafted to help participants rediscover their inner selves and prioritise their well-being. Through a blend of carefully designed exercises and open discussions, attendeesi:

Reconnected with their Inner Selves: Explored and identified their feelings, thoughts, values, and needs within the work environment.

Addressed Specific Work Challenges: Explored real-life scenarios to make the learning experience tangible and relevant.

Empowered Self-Awareness and Distress Tolerance: Developed practices that enabled continuous self-awareness and self-prioritisation.

Participants left with practical tools and insights to enhance their well-being, ensuring they can thrive both personally and professionally.

If you are interested in having this workshop delivered to your team, or a version of it, contact me today.

In April 2024 I delivered my “Compassion for the Caregiver” workshop online (first delivered Carers Queensland). Details of this workshop:

If your tendency has been consistently putting others ahead of yourself, it's about time to hit pause and redirect some of that boundless compassion inward. 🌸 Acknowledging this may already be on your radar, but taking concrete steps toward self-compassion can feel like a daunting challenge. That's perfectly okay—acknowledging the difficulty is the first step!

Embark on a transformative journey led by the wonderfully imperfect clinical psychologist Shannon Swales. This 90-minute online experiential session is thoughtfully curated for individuals just like you. During this immersive workshop, Shannon will step into the role of your compassionate guide, leading you through a voyage of self-discovery and self-compassion.

You'll delve into crucial steps to infuse compassion into your own life. Shannon will expertly guide you through four key strategies, providing the tools you need to cultivate a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

To enhance your engagement and learning, we've prepared a downloadable handbook, which will be emailed to you on the day of the workshop. This invaluable resource is packed with information and activities, empowering you to seamlessly integrate the knowledge and skills imparted during the session into your daily life, fostering long-term self-compassion.

If you are interested in having this workshop delivered to your team, or a version of it, contact me today.

In April 2024 I delivered my “Building Well-being at Work” workshop online (first delivered Moreton Bay Library). Details of this workshop:

Step into a transformative online workshop meticulously crafted to catalyse your journey toward cultivating a more fulfilling and sustainable relationship with your work.

In this dynamic session, let Shannon Swales, a seasoned Clinical Psychologist, guide you through a comprehensive exploration of five proactive strategies. These strategies are thoughtfully designed to help you navigate the intricacies of your working life, fortify your resilience, support burnout prevention, and propel you towards wellness.

To enhance your engagement and learning, we've prepared a downloadable handbook, which will be emailed to you on the day of the workshop. This invaluable resource is packed with information and activities, empowering you to seamlessly integrate the knowledge and skills imparted during the session into your daily life, fostering long-term well-being.

Join us in this immersive experience as we delve into these transformative strategies, offering not just theoretical insights but also practical tools through reflective exercises.

Conducting this workshop online allowed the opportunity to reach a wider audience and record for others to access when suited them.

If you are interested in having this workshop delivered to your team, or a version of it, contact me today.

In March 2024, I had the privilege of leading a workshop titled 'Compassion for the Caregiver' for the dedicated carers and staff of Carers Queensland. Extending the same level of compassion we readily offer to others towards ourselves can be challenging. During this workshop, I guided attendees through practical steps to identify and overcome obstacles, barriers, and fears hindering self-compassion. By fostering self-compassion, an essential element in cultivating resilience and warding off burnout, we empowered participants to embark on a journey of self-care and well-being. If you're inspired by the transformative power of self-compassion and wish to bring a similar workshop to your workplace, don't hesitate to get in touch. Together, we can customise a session tailored to your team's needs, empowering them to embrace self-compassion as a cornerstone of resilience and well-being. Reach out today to start the conversation.

In February 2024, I had the privilege of presenting "Building Well-being at Work: 5 Key Factors to Prevent Burnout" to the patrons of Moreton Bay Libraries. It was an enriching experience that allowed me to connect with individuals from various professional backgrounds, all grappling with the challenges of burnout. Engaging with such a diverse audience was truly fulfilling, and I'm hopeful that they gleaned valuable insights from the workshop, just as I did from facilitating it. If you're eager to host a workshop tailored to the specific needs of your workplace, feel free to reach out. Let's start a conversation about how we can collaborate to address the well-being of your team and foster a thriving work environment.

"It's within space that we can check in mindfully and make conscious and authentic decisions about our work"

In this episode of Does my Psychologist Like Me? Host, Anna Oliver has an open and vulnerable conversation with Shannon Swales, a clinical psychologist, author, podcaster, blogger and expert in burnout. This pod shares Shannon's experience with burnout and how it has shaped her approach to career and life balance. Anna and Shannon connect on their burnout journeys and Shannon offers valuable insights for people in professional fields struggling with burnout.

The episode covers:
Shannon on burnout and self care Authenticity and self image Creativity Recovering from Burnout Psychology Practice, Authenticity and Values

In this episode, I sat down with Joahanna Wickramaratne from the Personal Resilience Science Labs, Bouncing Back podcast to dive into the season of resolutions and self-reflection. To assist listeners who are choosing to embark on the journey of New Year's resolutions, I unveiled strategies to formulate goals that not only inspire positive change but also turn past failures into power. From practical tips to overcoming past failures to fostering a mindset of resilience, I shared invaluable insights on approaching goal-setting with a newfound sense of determination. Get ready to transform your resolutions into lasting commitments and embrace the growth mindset that paves the way for a thriving year ahead. Tune in now to elevate your goal-setting game and bounce back with resilience!

Listen Here

In Jan 2024 I published an article on Psychotherapy.net blog where I shared how my feelings of shame about being a psychologist who suffered from mental illness kept me from reaching out for help. I shared my story in hope that my lived experience will help prevent other psychologists feeling ashamed and suffering in silence.

You can read my full story in my memoir Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist's Path Back From Burnout.

On the 1 November 2023 I was a part of a combined science and lived experience expert panel hosted by Community Services Industry Alliance.

It was an honour to be invited to share my wisdom along with my peers to help those in need.

You can check out the vital knowledge and skills shared to help prevent, recovery and grow from burnout by clicking the link below.

In May 2022, and again in October 2023 I was a guest on Brisbane's 4ZZZ 102.1 Only Human Radio show.

To have the opportunity to have an authentic conversation about experiencing mental health as a mental health professional with Belle was once again a pleasure.

A great bunch of humans doing great things for community. Forever thankful to 4ZZZ Only Human for giving voice to myself and so many others.

To listen to the most recent interview. Click on the link below and go to 15/10 recording. It includes a great soundtrack put together by Steven at 4ZZZ.

This event answers common questions and audience questions on burnout. You will go away with

🌟 Awareness of what burnout is.

🌟 Knowledge of the risks/triggers for burnout.

🌟 Hope by obtaining evidence-based knowledge of the steps to prevent, respond and grow from burnout.

🌟 Validation and normalisation of the experience of burnout.

The panel includes a mix of experts and lived experience guests to help bring a well-rounded discussion on this critical topic.

Watch the live recording by clicking on the link below. Be sure to leave a review.

I got to sit down and chat with Basiliso Moreno, a Social Worker from the US.

I first discovered Bas's work during my burnout. I was pulled towards his work because of his authenticity - speaking the truth and wanting to help his fellow mental health professionals in doing their work that comes with daily challenges.

In this episode of The Social Work Rants Podcast, we chat about the differences in our professions and the mental health systems in the US and Australia. We also share the difficulties and challenges we have faced working in those systems.

I sat down with Therese Loo, a pharmacist, health coach, and a woman on a quest to help herself and others achieve optimal well-being. On this pod episode we discussed the topic of burnout and the importance of mental health and well-being. As a clinical psychologist who has personally experienced burnout, I share my insights on the signs and symptoms of burnout, when to seek professional help, and risk factors to be aware of. I hope that by sharing my story, others will be empowered to prioritize their own mental health and well-being. Click on the link to check it out and be sure to check out Therese's work while you are there.

I sat down and talked about burnout and how compassion assisted my recovery on Dr Stan Steindl's Compassion in a T-shirt YouTube channel in July 2023.

I am grateful for the opportunity and hope that my story helps others see how compassion helps with burnout.

On the 3 May 2023 I delivered a 2 hour workshop to build awareness of burnout syndrome and give hope for the prevention and treatment of burnout. The workshop was an infusion of my scientific knowledge, treatment experience, and lived experience of burnout. Attendees walked away with the following outcomes:
• Ability to identify whether they or others are suffering from burnout syndrome.
• Knowledge of the warning signs of burnout.
• Awareness of burnout's impacts on the individual and the organisation.
• Knowledge of what steps to take towards recovery/prevention from burnout.

If you are interested in this workshop being delivered at your organisation, please get in touch with me.

In October 2022 I was a guest on Samatha and Jessica's podcast, And...Life Happened, Shannon's Resiliency Story. I jumped at the chance to be part of their podcast; I love what they stand for (see 'about this podcast' below). They were also guests on my podcast, episode 14, where they shared their burnout experiences. I find I get something from sharing my story every time, and this time was no different. I hope that sharing it helps someone else out there going through their own "life happened" moment.

About this podcast ​
We've all had those moments that defined us and shaped our resiliency; those times when life happened. In this podcast, we want to focus on the “life happened” situations that we all experience, allow us to connect and draw together through our real experiences, and share openly about how we can be both strong and soft, hard and gentle, resilient and vulnerable. Follow us on Instagram @and_lifehappened

Click on the link below to listen to my episode, and while you are there, check out episodes 1 and 2, which are Jessica and Samantha's resiliency stories. Not to be missed.

In August 2022 I was a guest on Becky Corbett's The Gentle Living Podcast, EP 43

A different Kind of GAP Year - A Clinical Psychologist's Journey from Burnout to Healing. Becky writes…

In this episode, I sat with Brisbane-based clinical psychologist Shannon Swales to have a deep conversation about her breakdown as a result of burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, which then led to taking a year off (aka "gap year") to focus on her recovery and healing. Through this journey, she found that blogging, podcasting and being open in sharing her experience to be a therapeutic process.

I gain so much from sharing my experience of burnout, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma every time, so thanks to Becky for providing me the space to do so again.

Click on the link below to hear our conversation and if you like what you hear you can follow Becky's work by joining The Gentle Living Community - a safe, non-judgemental space for you to explore your trait of high sensitivity and enrol for FREE workshops!

Gentle Living
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I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker at the August Veterinary Wellness Club, a club that is creating meaningful connection in the Veterinary industry by learning, sharing and meditating together. I spoke on the topic I know all too well, Burnout.

The event was special for me for two reasons, one, it was an opportunity to support a group of professionals I hold in very high esteem and two, I got to step out of my comfort zone; I don't usually get up and speak in front of a whole lot of people.

I hope to be involved in many more of these types of events in the future. Thank you, Marilyn and Michael, two amazing Veterinarians for having me.

If you'd like me to speak at your event contact me.

If you'd like to check out the Veterinary Wellness click on the learn more button.

Earlier in 2022, I had the lovely opportunity to be interviewed by Tahlia for her podcast show named Good Luck, Charlie, where she explores (amongst many things) different career/work options by interviewing people in those roles. She asked me to come on the show and talk about clinical psychology, so I did.

Such a brilliant idea and resource that I encourage you to check out and share widely! I only wished this resource existed when I was trying to figure my path out when I was her age.

Tahlia is also a guest on Burnout Psychology Support podcast, episode 8. She, like so many of us, has experienced burnout, hers occurring during her senior years of schooling. She bravely shares her experience in the hope that it will help someone else—a wonderful soul.

Episode Name: Future Me: A Clinical Psychologist