Talking Child Development

#31 Hearing the Voices of Aboriginal Children and Young People with Meena Singh

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +1100

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People in Victoria. Meena is a Yorta Yorta and Indian woman, born, raised and living on the land of the Kulin Nations. Meena commenced her legal career with Victoria Legal Aid where she practiced in human rights and criminal law and was the inaugural Asssociate Director Aboriginal Services. She has led legal services and programs at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Human Rights Law Centre as well as consulting in training and organisational development.

www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#30 Supporting Emotional Regulation in Children with Dr. Fiona Zandt

Wed, 07 May 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Fiona Zandt.

Dr. Zandt is a clinical psychologist and play therapist who works with children with a wide range of emotional, social and behavioural challenges and their families. Fiona has authored the acclaimed Creative Way series for therapists and runs creative child therapy workshops for professionals.

www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#29 Protecting our children with Liana Buchanan

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks to Liana Buchanan, Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People for the State of Victoria. Liana is also part-time Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. She has a background in oversight and system reform for people experiencing disadvantage and those affected by family and sexual violence and abuse.

www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#28 Parenting in the digital age with Dr. Catherine Jeffery

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks to Dr Catherine Page Jeffery, lecturer in Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. Her current research addresses digital media and families with a particular focus on parenting in the digital age and its accompanying anxieties.

She is the author of a new book Parenting in a Digital World Beyond Media Panics: Towards a new theory of parental mediation, published by Routledge.

www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#27 Trauma informed preventive care with Dr. Catherine Olweny

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Catherine Olweny. Catherine is a specialist paediatric anaesthetist who in the course of her work, is aware of the high levels of stress and anxiety experienced by children having surgery and other medical interventions. She has taken the unusual path in addition to her specialist medical work, of training in clinical hypnosis and therapeutic child play. Dr. Olweny is also the key area lead in promoting trauma-informed preventive care in the tertiary hospital setting, which includes both practitioners and patients.

www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#26 Grandmotherland: exploring the myths and realities with Dr. Judith Edwards

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Judith Edwards about her recently published book Grandmotherland. A far cry from conventional ideas of how to be a grandmother, Judith explores the challenges and risks of this important phase of the family life cycle. Judith has published extensively in the field, and she has a particular interest in the links between psychoanalysis, culture and the arts and making these ideas accessible to a wider audience.

References:
www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#25 Motherhood and mothering: the value of caring to create more holistic support for families with Virginia Tapscott

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Journalist Virginia Tapscott who has written extensively about the undervaluing of mothering and the devaluation of caregiving in general. Virginia is based in country New South Wales. She has four children, and her writing and reporting have ranged from agricultural issues to gender equality, what children need for healthy development and the impact of sexual abuse.

References:
www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#24 Being good with feelings is more important than feeling good with Dr. Jon Jureidini

Wed, 08 May 2024 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with Dr. Jon Jureidini, Child Psychiatrist and Head of Psychological Medicine at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. Dr. Jureidini also heads the Critical and Ethical Mental Health Research Group at the University of Adelaide. He explains the problems associated with pathologising all things emotional in our world, and how we need to attend to the social determinants of mental health in the community.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References:
www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#23 School refusal, or school can’t – what schools and parents can do with Brydie Huggins

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 06:30:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven talks with School Psychologist Brydie Huggins about the current problem of school refusal or ‘school can’t’. Brydie has worked across the developmental spectrum from kindergarten to year 12 in public and private school settings.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References:
www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#22 Making dadding a team sport again with Ryan Carters

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Ryan Carters, father of three, a former professional cricketer and founder of Dadfit. This non-profit organization aims to ‘make dadding a team sport again’ and support dads’ mental and physical health and promote their relationship skills.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References:
www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#21 How a psychodynamic approach contributes to our mental health wth Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode Amanda Stone, educationalist and committee member of the Association of Child and Family Development talks to Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven, child and adolescent psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, author, and trainer. They discuss the unique contribution of psychodynamic thinking to the promotion of child, adolescent, adult, and family mental health.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#20 Forgotten children: bringing child refugees into focus with Jordana Silverstein

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Dr. Jordana Silverstein, cultural historian, and senior research fellow in the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness, in the Melbourne Law School. They speak about her recently published groundbreaking book, Cruel Care: a history of children at our borders, that describes the treatment of child refugees at our borders.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#19 New frontiers in child and adolescent psychotherapy research: developing the evidence base with Professor Nick Midgley

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Professor Nick Midgley in the UK, a Professor of Psychological Therapies with Children and Young People at University College London and the Anna Freud Centre. This episode discusses the essential links between clinical practice and research.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au

www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#18 Mindful separation and divorce without court with Mary Louise Hatch

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +1100

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Mary Louise Hatch, a collaboratively trained family lawyer, mediator, and family dispute resolution practitioner. They discuss her work with parents and families going through separation and divorce and how couples can be helped to avoid the emotionally and financially draining experience of going to court.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#17 Expressing the Unspeakable: Supporting Children Who Have Experienced Family Violence with Dr. Kirsten Meyer

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 09:25:35 +1100

In this podcast episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Dr. Kirsten Meyer, Drama Therapist who has a particular interest in how the Arts can be used to enhance the capacity of care workers to respond to children and young people. Kirsten currently leads a team of creative arts, therapists, and counsellors in a community-based organisation in Melbourne, working with children, young people and their carers who have experienced family violence.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#16 ADHD Over-diagnosed: Why we should be worried with Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +1100

In this podcast, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven sounds a warning about ADHD as a disposal diagnosis for vulnerable children, adolescents and adults that papers over complex social problems post Covid, and ignores longstanding clinical and research evidence of parent/child relational attachment that underpins the capacity for attention and self-regulation.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#15 Growing Boys Need Their Fathers on Board with Scott Cadby

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +1100

In this episode, Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven speaks with Scott Cadby, school counsellor and wellbeing coordinator at an all-boys college in Melbourne. This conversation discusses what helps boys develop positive mental health through adolescence and how much they need their fathers as mentors and supporters in this critical process.

Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven is a child psychotherapist, clinical psychologist and educator, who has brought a pioneering approach to clinical work that emphasizes the essential nature of the meaning of behaviour.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#14 It’s not just child’s play with Dr. Ruth Schmidt Neven

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 15:33:11 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven presents her talk; It’s not Just Child’s Play: Understanding the meaning of children’s behaviour. Far from being dismissed as a simplistic process, child’s play is part of everyday ‘work’. It is a rich complex and meaningful experience that helps children make sense of their world and helps adults to make sense of children’s behaviour.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#13 Broken: Children, Parents and Family Courts with Dr. Catharine Lumby

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:54:57 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with professor of media at the University of Sydney, Dr Catharine Lumby.

We discuss the book 'Broken: Children, Parents and Family Courts' written by Catharine together with lead author Associate Professor Camilla Nelson. In this episode, we talk about what has been described as the lacerating culture of family courts that does not serve the best interests of children, ways in which is denies them a voice, and the need for urgent reform of the system.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#12 Working with distressed adopted children and children in care with Adam Goren

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:35:25 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist, Adam Goren.

Adam has a special interest in using sensory-attachment strategies, parent-child interventions and family advocacy in addressing mental distress and relational trauma.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au

www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#11 Developmental Paediatrics and the Child in the Family with Dr Lynda Chadwick

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 09:00:09 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with paediatrician, Dr. Lynda Chadwick.

The discussion focuses on Lynda's work in developmental paediatrics which includes children with autism and developmental delay. Lynda has a special interest in infant mental health, attachment, and the importance of parental emotional engagement in the early months and years.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au

www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#10 Adolescence and high risk with Maria Papadima

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 18:56:06 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks with Dr. Maria Papadima, child and adolescent psychotherapist.

Maria describes an innovative approach that helps adolescents, and their families negotiate these challenging transitions. Maria explains how in psychotherapy with adolescents, we explore ideas about what distress means, how we accept and handle it and what our expectations are of a normal life.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#9 Keeping children and young people safe in the cyber-world with Jordan Foster

Tue, 17 May 2022 18:42:07 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Jordan Foster about cyber safety for children and adolescents.

Jordan is a clinical psychologist and founder of ySafe which has provided online safety education to half a million students, families, and school staff in Australia. Her extensive expertise has been applied in work with managing problematic technology use, cyber-bullying, image-based abuse, and internet gaming addiction.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#8 Understanding the child’s inner world with Ryan Lowe

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:29:55 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to fellow child and adolescent psychotherapist Ryan Lowe in London who is the founder and clinical director of the Therapeutic Consultants a series of multi-disciplinary therapy clinics.

Ryan trained at the Tavistock clinic. She has worked at the Tavistock’s day unit for children with complex needs, in the Tavistock’s adolescent department and at the Monroe Young Family Centre where she carried out assessments for family law courts. She has taught and been an examiner on various trainings.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#7 Tuning in to Kids with Sophie Havighurst

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 07:55:55 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Professor Sophie Havighurst, Clinical Child Psychologist at Mindful, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development. References: www.acfd.com.au www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#6 From cradle to global citizen: finding our way in turbulent times with Lorraine Rose

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:23:46 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Lorraine Rose, distinguished psychologist, psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and organisational consultant. Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#5 Family Separation: Helping parents journeying through conflict with Jo Herbig

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:48:17 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Jo Herbig, post-graduate family therapist and senior family dispute resolution practitioner.
Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#4 Relationship focused practice in early childhood services with Dr Susan Emmett

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 18:08:01 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Dr Susan Emmett, Senior Lecturer and Program Coordinator in Early Childhood at Federation University Victoria.
Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.
References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#3 The psychological aspects of becoming a parent with Bronwyn Leigh

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:05:09 +1100

In this episode, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talk to Bronwyn Leigh, Clinical Psychologist and Director of the Centre for Perinatal Psychology and the Perinatal Training Centre.

Talking Child Development is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au

www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#2 Understanding your baby's development with Beulah Warren

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 21:51:57 +1100

For our second episode of Talking Child Development, Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven, child psychotherapist and clinical psychologist talks to Beulah Warren, psychologist and Australian pioneer in Infant mental health.

Talking Child Development brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development.

References: www.acfd.com.au

www.centreforchildandfamily.com

#1 Are children people?

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 12:44:55 +1100

This episode dives deeper into the question; Are children People?

Dr Ruth Schmidt Neven talks about focusing on prevention and strengthening the emotional resources of children and parents.

This podcast is brought to you by the Association of Child and Family Development and Psychodynamic Counselling.

References: www.acfd.com.au
www.centreforchildandfamily.com