Burnout in Clinicians: Why the Most Caring Professionals Are the Most at Risk By Emily Hanlon Burnout Isn’t a Personal Failure, It’s a Predictable Occupational Hazard If you’re a clinician reading this and quietly thinking, “Surely I should be coping better than this…” let’s pause right there. Burnout is not a sign that you’re doing this work wrong. It's often a sign that you’re doing it t oo well, for too long, in a system that quietly expects you to be everything to everyo

By Emily Hanlon Christmas morning. Wrapping paper flies, giggles echo through the house, and then... " This gift SUCKS!"  your child blurts out. Ouch. Right in front of the in-laws, too. Cue the awkward silence. But what if I told you that this wasn’t rudeness or ingratitude? What if it was disappointment ? The build-up to holidays like Christmas is intense. From advent calendars and Santa wish lists to sparkly decorations and presents under the tree... the hype is real . As

By Emily Hanlon We all love the idea  of Christmas... the joy, the magic, the candy cane-scented memories. But behind the scenes? It’s a lot . Especially for neurodivergent children. The Disruption of Routine During the holidays, structure often disappears: Bedtimes are inconsistent. Meals are unpredictable (and sugar-laden). Activities vary day to day. Social expectations increase. For many kids, this can be exciting. But for others, especially our ADHD, autistic, anxious ki

By Emily Hanlon “Sensory supports are not rewards.” This isn’t just a professional opinion; it’s a non-negotiable stance I hold as a child psychologist. It’s a hill I will die on. Every week, I walk into schools where fidgets, wobble cushions, movement breaks, noise-cancelling headphones, and calm-down corners are treated like gold stars...only to be handed out if a child “behaves.” And every week, I see the fallout of that mindset. Let’s get one thing straight: Sensory tool

By Emily Hanlon Intro: Burnout Doesn’t Slam Into You, It Creeps In Quietly Burnout isn’t a sudden collapse; it’s a slow leak, usually caused by blurred boundaries and constant overextension. Burnout doesn’t announce itself. It’s not a dramatic collapse or a one-off breakdown. It’s slow. Sneaky. It builds as your boundaries dissolve, day by day. As clinicians, we’re trained to hold space for others—but if we don’t hold space for ourselves , no one else will. Let’s explore how

By Emily Hanlon The way we speak to our kids becomes their inner voice. It teaches them how to set boundaries, how to relate to others, and how to treat themselves. The good news? You don’t need a degree in psychology to raise emotionally intelligent humans; you just need a few intentional , everyday phrases that reinforce kindness, consent, respect, and safety. Here are 15 simple sentences we use in our home (with our little humans and  grown-up ones too) to help create conn

By Emily Hanlon Parenting today comes with an incredible privilege, and a responsibility. We’re the generation with more : more...

By Emily Hanlon Let’s be honest. Travelling with kids is not the type of holiday you used to take. It’s a high-stakes, snack-fuelled...

By Emily Hanlon Wondering if daycare harms your child’s attachment? A clinical psychologist (and mum of 3) breaks down the research,...

By Emily Hanlon Last month, I packed my baby’s bottles into her bag, labelled my toddler’s new hat, and reminded my oldest son (for the...

By Emily Hanlon When you receive your child’s first NDIS plan, one of two things usually happens: You skim it, trying to spot any...

By Emily Hanlon Navigating the NDIS for your child/family member can feel like stepping into a world full of potential, but one that’s...

By Emily Hanlon The Psychology Pathway Is a Labyrinth (But You’ve Got This) If you’ve made it this far into a psychology degree,...

By Emily Hanlon ADHD is often associated with hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and visible distraction. But for many women, it looks nothing...

By Emily Hanlon When working with ADHD, especially in girls, there is no “universal checklist” that neatly fits every individual. Yet, so...

By Emily Hanlon When most people think of ADHD, they picture a hyperactive young boy bouncing around a classroom. But what if ADHD looked...

By Emily Hanlon If thinking about therapy for your child makes you break into a cold sweat, welcome! You’re officially a normal, caring...

By Emily Hanlon When I was first learning to write reports as a clinician, I relied heavily on the templates I was given...ones focused...

By Emily Hanlon In today’s clinical landscape, especially for early-career allied health professionals, there’s a growing push (and...

By Emily Hanlon If you've ever witnessed a child struggling at drop-off, clinging to you with teary eyes, you may have asked yourself: Is...