The Practitioner's Heart: Practical Buddhist Wisdom for Therapists and Healthcare Professionals

The Power of Dharma Friendship: Why Therapists Need Spiritual Community and Support

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0800

In this episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, we explore one of the most powerful – and often misunderstood – sources of support for therapists: dharma friendship.

Whether you call it spiritual friendship, kalyāṇamitta, fa lü, or simply “wise companions,” having people who share your aspiration for awakening can transform your personal and professional life.

Drawing from 22 years of practice in the Australia Buddhist Bliss Culture Mission, Poh shares how dharma friends and the bodhisattva path have carried her through distraction, burnout, emotional overwhelm, and the everyday challenges of being a therapist in the modern world.

You’ll hear about:

• what “dharma friendship” truly means in Buddhist tradition
• why therapists need spiritual companionship to stay grounded
• how community protects us from burnout, isolation, and overwhelm
• the role of Sangha and community, shared intention, and steady practice
• why awakening and bodhisattva path is a long, lived process. It does not happen overnight
• how we inspire one another through compassion, clarity, and ethical living
• the importance of having a nurturing “nursery” for your Bodhi sprout
• why so many therapists feel spiritually alone — and how online dharma community fills the gap
• the deep nourishment that comes from practising with people who “get you”
• how Buddhist wisdom enriches process‑based therapies like ACT

Poh also introduces the Bodhi Inner Path Circle, a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise, study Buddha‑Dharma, and reconnect with their inner refuge.

We meet every fortnight from July — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Join the waitlist now

This episode is for you if:
• you’re a therapist or healer or health professional feeling spiritually isolated
• you struggle to maintain a consistent meditation practice
• you crave deeper conversations about meaning and awakening
• you want support integrating Buddhist wisdom into your daily life and clinical practice
• you’re longing for community, clarity, and steady inner refuge
• you want to walk the bodhisattva path or at least curious about it

May you find dharma friends who nourish your heart and support your awakening.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

How Buddhist Practice promote secured attachment and nervous system regulation for therapists?

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:00:00 +0800

In this episode, Poh explores how Buddhist practice can support therapists in cultivating secure attachment within themselves — and how this inner steadiness naturally supports nervous system regulation, compassionate presence, and therapeutic effectiveness.

As therapists, we often become the emotional anchor for others while quietly carrying our own stress, attachment wounds, self-doubt, or emotional fatigue beneath the surface. In this conversation, Poh gently reflects on the intersection of Buddhist wisdom, attachment science, ACT, and nervous system regulation — offering a grounded pathway back to clarity, connection, and inner refuge.

Through Dharma-informed reflections and practical insight, Poh explores how contemplative practice can soften our clinging to identity, perfectionism, and performance, while helping us embody a more spacious, compassionate, and regulated way of being with ourselves and others.

In this episode, Poh explores:

• What secure attachment means for therapists and helping professionals
• The difference between non-attachment and emotional avoidance
• How Buddhist practice strengthens emotional safety, steadiness, and connection
• Why clinging to identity and “being the perfect therapist” creates suffering
• ACT concepts such as self-as-context and spacious awareness
• The relationship between Buddha nature, wholeness, and inner refuge
• How chanting, coherent breathing, meditation, and mantra support nervous system regulation
• Buddhist practices that support co-regulation and ventral vagal grounding
• How therapist presence itself can become healing and regulating for clients
• Interconnectedness, shared humanity, and compassionate relating

Join the Bodhi Inner Path Circle

If you’ve been longing for a contemplative space to slow down, reconnect, and practise alongside like-hearted therapists and dharma friends, the Bodhi Inner Path Circle may be a nourishing home for you.

Beginning July 2026, this monthly membership community includes:

• Fortnightly meditation and contemplative practice
• Dharma-informed book club gatherings
• Gentle Buddhist teachings tailored for therapists
• A moderated practitioner community away from social media
• Support for nervous system regulation, reflection, and spiritual practice

Founding Member Offer: $55/month

Join the waitlist: https://blossomingtrueself.com.au/communitywaitlist

Connect & Support the Podcast

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it with a colleague or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support helps this contemplative community reach more therapists and helping professionals seeking grounded, sustainable practice.

A Gentle Reminder

This podcast is for education and inspiration purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, supervision, psychological care, or clinical advice.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

A Conversation with Dr Hayley D. Quinn: Reclaiming Wellbeing and Creating A Life That Fits (Part 2)

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0800

In Part 2 of my deeply nourishing conversation with Dr. Hayley D. Quinn, we turn toward the realities so many therapists, psychologists, and helping professionals quietly carry: burnout, self‑neglect, emotional labour, and the pressure to keep going even when our bodies and hearts are exhausted.

In this grounded and compassionate dialogue, Hayley shares her lived experience of profound burnout, how she rebuilt her life from the inside out, and how she now supports others to create sustainable, values‑aligned ways of working.

Together, we explore:

The hidden patterns of self‑neglect common in caring professions
Why therapists often disconnect from their own needs
Burnout as a systemic, not personal, failing
How late‑identified neurodivergence (autism + ADHD) transformed Hayley’s understanding of energy, pacing, and wellbeing
What sustainable work looks like for neurodivergent clinicians and helpers
Why compassionate self‑relationship is essential for avoiding burnout
Practical strategies for working in ways that honour your nervous system
Allowing yourself to redefine success, productivity, and worth
Building a life and career that fits you, rather than forcing yourself to fit the profession

This episode is validating, honest, and deeply supportive — especially if you have ever felt tired, overwhelmed, or quietly depleted while continuing to care for everyone else.

Hayley speaks with clarity and warmth about returning to your inner wisdom, listening to the signals of your body, and creating a life aligned with your values, your neurotype, and your wellbeing.

About Our Guest - Dr Hayley D Quinn, mindset and wellbeing coach

Dr Hayley D Quinn is a mindset and wellbeing coach, speaker, trainer and former clinical psychologist. She is a late-identified proud Autistic woman with ADHD. Hayley is the author of From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A compassionate guide to creating a thriving life. She is the host of the Welcome to Self® podcast and past president of Compassionate Mind Australia. Combining clinical expertise, Compassion Focused Therapy training and lived experience to help people prevent burnout, prioritise wellbeing and create thriving lives and businesses that feel meaningful and purposeful.

Resources & Links:

1. Learn more about Hayley's work https://drhayleydquinn.com/

2. Buy Hayley's book, From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A Compassionate Guide to Creating a Thriving Life.

3. Follow Hayley on Instagram

Disclaimer:

The content discussed in this podcast is for inspiration and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy or clinical supervision, and our time together does not constitute a therapeutic relationship. Please seek professional support if you are in need.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

Bodhi Inner Path Circle is a contemplative membership community for therapists who long for a regular, supportive, spiritually grounded place to practise, learn Buddha‑Dharma in reflective practice, and connect with dharma friends.

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

A Conversation with Dr Hayley D Quinn: From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion (Part 1)

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0800

In this spacious and nourishing episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, Poh sits down with Dr. Hayley D. Quinn — mindset and wellbeing coach, former clinical psychologist, author of From Self‑Neglect to Self‑Compassion, autistic/ADHD woman, and one of the most compassionate humans you will meet.

This conversation unfolds like a heartfelt offering — exploring joy, identity, compassion, and what it means to live from our inner wisdom.

In Part 1, we explore:

How Hayley finds joy in simplicity, relationships, and everyday moments
Her courageous decision to step away from the protected title of “clinical psychologist” after 20 years
The deep identity work required to let go of a long‑held professional self
How neurodivergence (autism + ADHD) shaped her understanding of energy, work, and sustainable wellbeing
What a compassionate relationship with oneself actually looks like in daily life
Practical tools from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Becoming your own fondest friend, greatest cheerleader, and wisest inner guide
How checking in with ourselves mirrors how we care for those we love

This is a gentle, heartfelt episode for therapists, psychologists, healthcare workers, and spiritual seekers wanting to deepen self‑compassion, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and live in alignment with their wise compassionate Self.

Part 2 will be released next week, exploring burnout, self‑neglect, and building sustainable, neurodiversity‑affirming ways of working.

About Our Guest - Dr Hayley D Quinn, mindset and wellbeing coach

Resources & Links:

1. Learn more about Hayley's work https://drhayleydquinn.com/

2. Buy Hayley's book, From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A Compassionate Guide to Creating a Thriving Life.

3. Follow Hayley on Instagram

Disclaimer:

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Cultivating Equanimity In The Turbulent Times for Therapists

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0800

In this episode, we explore one of the Four Immeasurables that feels profoundly essential for the world we’re living in right now: equanimity.

As global instability, the war in the Middle East, and the ongoing energy crisis ripple through our collective nervous system, many therapists are finding themselves holding their clients’ fears while carrying their own. This episode offers a grounded, embodied, and Buddhist‑informed way to meet these turbulent times without collapsing, shutting down, or absorbing everything you’re witnessing.

I walk you through:

Why our nervous systems are more reactive right now
How over‑empathy and vicarious anxiety show up in sessions
The difference between equanimity, indifference, and spiritual bypassing
The ocean metaphor: how to drop beneath the surface turbulence
Understanding non‑attachment (and how it differs from avoidant attachment)
How clear understanding of impermanence can soften urgency and reduce reactivity
The “tablespoon of salt” metaphor from my teacher
Expanding our internal landscape
The 20% Anchor Practice — a real‑time tool for staying grounded with clients
How equanimity protects against burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue
Gentle mantras for returning to steady presence

This is an episode for therapists and health practitioners who are deeply feeling the world right now.

It’s a reminder that equanimity is a practice—one that grows each time you return to your breath, your body, and the truth that everything is impermanent.

Disclaimer:

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Can Women Attain Enlightenment? Buddhism, Patriarchy & Awakening

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0800

Have you ever wondered whether women can truly attain enlightenment in Buddhism — or felt subtle doubt about your own capacity for awakening?

In this deeply personal episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, Poh explores the enduring question: “Can women awaken?”

Drawing from her Asian upbringing and early encounters with patriarchal conditioning, Poh examines how cultural narratives have shaped spiritual identity — and how the Dharma itself points beyond gender entirely.

This episode reclaims the powerful legacy of awakened women in Buddhist history and reminds therapists, healthcare professionals, and spiritual practitioners that Buddha nature is not male or female.

Enlightenment is not reserved for one body, one culture, or one gender.

It is the awakening from conditioning itself.

In this episode, you’ll explore:
• Poh’s personal journey with early conditioning
• Why the question still persists historically and culturally
• Enlightenment as “waking up” from conditioning
• Transforming self-doubt and societal pressure into practice
• Stories of awakened women across Buddhist history
• Trusting your innate capacity for awakening

Episode Highlights:
* [00:02:25] Poh’s childhood story and early conditioning
* [00:07:30] The core question: Can women awaken?
* [00:10:20] What enlightenment really means
* [00:13:25] Dharma vs. patriarchy
* [00:17:10] “Mud for the lotus” insight
* [00:20:15] Mahapajapati Gotami’s story
* [00:22:10] Chiyono’s awakening
* [00:26:20] Moshan Liao Ran’s teaching
* [00:29:35] Dragon Girl & Tara stories
* [00:34:15] Buddha nature beyond gender
* [00:35:55] Closing reflection

Key Figures & Concepts Mentioned:

Female Practitioners: Mahapajapati Gotami, Mugai Nyodai (Chiyono), Moshan Liao Ran
Bodhisattvas & Deities: The Dragon Girl (Lotus Sutra), Tara (Tibetan Buddhism)
Core Concepts: Enlightenment, Awakening, Liberation, Buddha Nature, Bodhisattva Path, Patriarchy, Conditioning, Zen, Mahayana Buddhism.

Connect with The Practitioner's Heart:

Subscribe to the Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | GoodPods
Support the Show: If this episode resonated with you, the most meaningful way to support our community is to share it with a colleague or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Website: The Blossoming Therapists
Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists

Disclaimer:

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

A Conversation with Psychologist Amiee Pember: ‘Stop Trying’, Connection and Community (Part 2)

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0800

Welcome back to the second and final part of my conversation with the wonderful Amiee Pember, an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist.

In Part 1, Amiee shared her powerful journey of self-discovery. Now, we dive deep into the heart of practice. How do we integrate ancient wisdom into our modern, often overwhelming, lives as practitioners?

Amiee shares profound insights from her time on silent retreats, including a pivotal moment with Buddhist monk Ajahn Brahm that taught her the "wisdom of not trying." We explore the struggle of maintaining a practice without a supportive community, the power of finding connection in shared silence, and the radical self-acceptance required to walk a spiritual path that is never a straight line. This episode is a compassionate guide for any practitioner who has ever felt they've "fallen off" their path and needs to hear that they are always welcome back.

About Our Guest:

Amiee Pember is an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist and board-approved supervisor. Through her practice, Neuro Bloom, she provides neurodiversity-affirming, attachment-informed therapy. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to personal authenticity, professional integrity, and ongoing reflective practice.

In This Episode (Part 2), You'll Hear About:

The Buddhist view of being a "scientist-practitioner" of your own mind: test the teachings and see what works for you.
Amiee’s powerful story from a 9-day silent retreat and the life-changing advice to "stop trying" to meditate.
The importance of allowing your mind and body to rest and transition before expecting stillness.
The challenge of integrating deep spiritual insights back into a busy life without an accessible community (the sangha).
The profound sense of connection and "oneness" that can be experienced in a silent group setting.
How Buddhist teachings on interconnectedness ("we-ness") can help evolve Western psychology's individualistic focus.
Amiee's core takeaway for all practitioners: The spiritual path is not about perfection, but about self-acceptance and being kind to yourself, especially when you feel disconnected.

Episode Highlights + Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to The Practitioner's Heart

02:12 - Part 2 Introduction

04:11 - Buddha as scientist practitioner

04:41 - The practice of pause

07:20 - No perfect path

08:34 - Amiee's first silent 9-day silent retreat

11:23 - The wisdom of stop trying

14:43 - The transition into retreat as a neurodivergent

19:10 - Bringing practice home

24:07 - The importance of community

26:14 - The 'we' in psychology

28:33 - Amiee's message for listeners

32:06 - Where to find Amiee

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Amiee Pember's work at Neuro Bloom: www.neurobloomlearninghub.com.au
If you missed it, listen to A Conversation with Psychologist Amiee Pember: Neurodivergent Identity, Motherhood & the Path of Buddhist Practice (Part 1)
Mentioned in this episode: Teachings of Ajahn Brahm.

Connect with The Practitioner's Heart:

Follow us on Instagram
Visit our Website
If this conversation resonated with you, please leave a review on

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

A Conversation with Psychologist Amiee Pember: Neurodivergent Identity, Motherhood & the Path of Buddhist Practice (Part 1)

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0800

In this moving and deeply human conversation, Poh sits down with Amiee Pember, an autistic and ADHD perinatal psychologist and board‑approved supervisor based in regional Western Australia. In true Amiee fashion, she shows up with honesty, warmth, and profound self‑reflection.

In Part 1, Amiee shares the story of her early life, her intuitive path into psychology, and the transformative experiences that shaped her work — including motherhood, yoga, contemplative practice, and ultimately discovering her own neurodivergent identity later in life.

Together, Poh and Amiee explore the realities of being an early‑career psychologist, the anxiety on Sunday nights, and the relief that comes when we allow authenticity to lead the way.

If you’ve ever wondered how neurodivergence, Buddhism, ACT, yoga, and perinatal psychology intersect — this conversation will be an interesting one to listen to!

In This Episode (Part 1), You’ll Hear About:

Amiee’s early years and natural pull toward helping
The impact of growing up in rural WA and community psychology
How ACT, mindfulness, and yoga shaped her early career
The vulnerable reality of imposter syndrome as a new psychologist
The kindness of a therapist who helped her feel “human”
How motherhood transformed her inner world and professional direction
Discovering Buddhism through Ajahn Brahm, Tara Brach, and Gil Fronsdal
How her neurodivergence was discovered through curiosity, compassion, and clinical openness
What it feels like to realise “the mind is not a fixed object” but something fluid, expansive and context‑dependent

Who This Episode Is For:

Neurodivergent therapists (or those wondering if they are)
Clinicians curious about Buddhism, ACT, and contemplative practice
Therapists navigating imposter syndrome or early‑career pressures
Anyone who loves grounded, honest conversations about identity and growth

Episode Highlights + Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Practitioner’s Heart

04:20 – Introducing guest Amiee Pember

09:35 – Amiee’s early pull toward helping and community psychology

15:15 – First encounters with ACT, anxiety, and a compassionate psychologist

19:45 – Yoga and the bridge to Buddhist teachings

27:13 – Discovering Dharma teachers: Ajahn Brahm, Tara Brach & Gil Fronsdal

33:02 – First silent retreats & the moment Buddhism “clicked”

37:08 – Clients leading the way toward recognising her own neurodivergence

40:00 – How Buddhist practice helped meet this truth with compassion

41:47 – Closing: the mind as fluid, expansive, and context‑shaped

About Our Guest — Amiee Pember, Psychologist

Amiee is an autistic and ADHDer perinatal psychologist, board‑approved supervisor, and educator whose work focuses on neurodivergent families in the perinatal period. She integrates ACT, CFT, and EMDR within a neurodiversity‑affirming, attachment‑informed framework.

Through her work at NeuroBloom, she models authenticity, reflective practice, and inclusive strengths‑based care.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Amiee Pember's work at NeuroBloom Learning Hub
Follow Amiee on Instagram
Center for Perinatal Psychology (CPP)
League of Autistic Psychologists and Affirming Colleagues (LOAPAC)

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for education and inspiration purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or professional training, and does not establish a therapeutic relationship.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Was Buddha the First ACT Therapist? Exploring Ancient Roots of Psychological Flexibility

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0800

In this episode of The Practitioner’s Heart, psychologist and Buddhist practitioner Poh Gan explores the powerful connection between Buddhist teachings and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Long before ACT introduced concepts like psychological flexibility, acceptance, defusion, and self‑as‑context, the Buddha was teaching remarkably similar principles 2,600 years ago. She links ACT's functional contextualism (focusing on what works within context) to the Buddha's teaching of dependent origination (the 12 links of causal conditions), describing how suffering arises from ignorance through sense contact, feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth and then aging, sickness, grief, and death, and how intervening - especially between feeling and craving via mindful awareness - can interrupt the chain, similar to functional behavioural analysis (A-B-C) and systemic thinking.

Through timeless Buddhist stories — including Kisa Gotami’s journey through grief and Huike’s encounter with Bodhidharma — we uncover how the Buddha taught acceptance, mindfulness, values, and compassionate action in profoundly experiential ways.

If you’re a therapist, counsellor, psychologist, or healer navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, or a busy mind, this episode offers grounding, clarity, and a deeper sense of meaning in your work.

What You’ll Learn:
• How ACT and Buddhist psychology share the same core processes
• Why the Twelve Links of Causal Conditions/ Dependent Origination reflect functional contextualism
• How Kisa Gotami’s story beautifully illustrates acceptance and defusion
• How suffering arises through memory, labelling, and attachment
• Why Huike’s story is the ultimate teaching on self‑as‑context
• How therapists can embody openness, awareness, and engaged action
• How Buddhist wisdom supports modern clinical practice and therapist wellbeing

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to The Practitioner’s Heart

02:09 – Why compare Buddhism and ACT?

03:55 – ACT's foundation: Functional Contextualism and the Buddha's "master of context" view

04:28 – Twelve Links of Dependent Origination explained

08:10 – Where to intervene: feeling and craving, breaking the chain (the ABC parallels)

11:20 – Pillar 1: Be Open: acceptance + delusion (Kisa Gotami and grief)

16:45 – Defusion in modern terms: memory, labelling, and EMDR parallels with Buddhist teachings

18:29 – Pillar 2: Be Aware: present moment awareness + self-as-context (Huike & Bodhidharma)

23:53 – Pillar 3: Be engaged: alues, committed actions & the Bodhisattva ideal

26:58 – The Noble Eightfold Path as committed action

About the Host
Poh Gan is a psychologist, Buddhist practitioner, parent, and fellow human with a busy mind and a deep passion for awakening and compassionate service. She supports therapists in integrating practical Buddhist wisdom into daily life and clinical practice.

If You Enjoyed This Episode
Please support the show by:
• Sharing it with a colleague
• Leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Following The Practitioner’s Heart for future episodes

Your support helps this community grow.

Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or professional training.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Lessons from The Laughing Buddha for Therapists

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0800

In this Lunar New Year special, Poh reflects on the rich cultural and spiritual significance of this season — especially for Asian diaspora therapists and healthcare workers navigating multiple identities, traditions, and inner parts.

This episode explores the deeper Buddhist meaning behind Maitreya Bodhisattva, the figure often known as the Laughing Buddha, and how his teachings offer profound guidance for our clinical work and our inner lives.

You’ll hear:

The symbolism behind Bu Dai’s “big belly”
How Buddhist wisdom can help us hold discomfort, impermanence, and self‑doubt
Why therapists often cling to fixed identities (competent, effective, good therapist…)
How non‑attachment supports sustainable, compassionate practice
A tender guided reflection inspired by Lunar New Year temple rituals
Ways to release old patterns and invite new qualities into the year ahead

This episode is a grounding companion for therapists, psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and anyone walking a spiritual path while supporting others.
May it bring steadiness, warmth, and spaciousness to your heart.

What We Explore in This Episode:

The meaning of Lunar New Year for Asian diaspora therapists
Holding multiple cultural identities with compassion
Maitreya Bodhisattva and the true origins of the “Laughing Buddha”
The symbolism of the big belly — capacity, compassion, and endurance
Bu Dai the wandering monk and his joyful, liberated heart
How clinging creates suffering in our professional identity
Letting go of perfectionism, competence narratives, and fear of judgement
Presence and tolerance in fast‑paced, AI‑driven modern life
Cultivating a heart spacious enough to hold difficult moments in the therapy room
A gentle New Year ritual: releasing old attachments and welcoming new qualities
Guided reflection: what are you ready to loosen your grip on?

Guided Reflection Prompts (from the episode):

What fixed idea about yourself as a practitioner are you ready to release this year?
What habits rooted in that identity have contributed to burnout or fatigue?
Which quality of Bu Dai’s liberated heart would you like to cultivate in the Year of the Fire Horse?
Compassion? Insight? Playfulness? Non‑attachment? Spaciousness?

Links & Resources:

• Website: blossomingtrueself.com.au
• Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists
• Work with Poh: supervision, She Blossoms, Bodhi Meditation Circle

If this episode resonated…

Please share it with a colleague or leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Your support helps this heart‑centred community reach more practitioners who need it.

Disclaimer:

This podcast offers inspiration and education purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy, clinical supervision, or individual mental health care. Listening does not constitute a therapeutic relationship.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

A Conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes (Part 2): The Heart of Working with Young People

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0800

In Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes, we shift into the clinical and developmental heart of her work. Louise shares what she hopes practitioners pay attention to when learning new therapy models, and how to support young people with presence, curiosity, and compassion.

We also talk openly about burnout, compassion fatigue, and therapist wellbeing—how they show up, how they change us, and what it means to create space to reconnect with meaning, creativity, and care in our work.

This episode is grounding, generous, and nourishing for anyone working with adolescents or navigating the emotional demands of therapeutic practice.

In this episode, we explore:

• how to learn therapy models without overwhelm

• why “function over form” matters in clinical work

• DNAV and a developmental approach to supporting adolescents

• the unique pressures affecting young people today

• presence, attunement, and humility in therapeutic relationships

• burnout, compassion fatigue, and protecting practitioner wellbeing

• letting go of striving and reconnecting with values

Key insights:

• Young people benefit most when practitioners understand their developmental context and the pressures shaping their identity.

• DNAV offers a flexible, practical framework that strengthens psychological flexibility.

• Therapist presence—genuine, regulated, and spacious—is often more healing than any technique.

• Burnout is a sign to pause and reconnect with what matters, not a personal failing.

• Sustaining this work requires compassion for ourselves as much as for our clients.

About Dr. Louise Hayes

Dr. Louise Hayes is a clinical psychologist, international trainer, author, and co‑developer of the DNAV model. She has spent decades supporting young people and advancing process‑based, developmentally grounded psychological approaches.

Connect with me:

Instagram: @the.blossoming.therapists

Email: poh@blossomingtrueself.com.au

I’d love to hear what resonates for you in this episode—feel free to DM or email me anytime.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

A Conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes: Integrating Buddhist Wisdom into Therapeutic Practice (Part 1)

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0800

In this inaugural episode of the Practitioner's Heart Podcast, host Poh Gan introduces the show’s mission to offer practical Buddhist wisdom for therapists and healthcare workers. The episode features part 1 of an in-depth conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes, a psychologist, author, and expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), who shares her journey of integrating Buddhism with psychology. They discuss the significance of meditation, presence, and letting go of attachments in professional and personal life, emphasising the profound impact of these practices on therapeutic work.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart

02:21 Reflection on the First Interview

05:06 Conversation with Dr. Louise Hayes Begins

05:38 Louise Hayes' Journey and Insights

15:40 The Role of Buddhism in Therapy

23:06 Personal Practices and Professional Growth

37:58 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Part 2 of the conversation will be released on the 9/2/2026.

Dr Louise Hayes brings two decades of acceptance and commitment therapy expertise to her comprehensive training programs.

Louise Hayes' ACT training combines clinical excellence with practical application making her one of Australia's most sought after psychology trainers.

Louise's website: https://www.louisehayes.com.au/

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Decolonising Psychology and Integrating Spirituality: Personal story

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0800

In this episode of The Practitioner's Heart podcast, host Poh Gan introduces herself, sharing her journey as a psychologist and Buddhist practitioner. She explores the intersection of psychology, Buddhist wisdom, culture, and identity, emphasizing the importance of decolonizing spiritual practices in therapy. Poh discusses her challenges as a first-generation Asian immigrant and neurodivergent therapist, advocating for the authentic integration of spiritual traditions into therapeutic practice to support collective healing and awakening. Through her reflections and personal stories, Poh aims to inspire therapists and healthcare professionals to embrace their unique identities and cultivate inner resources for sustainable practice.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart
02:21 Poh's Personal Journey and Intentions
03:52 Cultural and Professional Background
07:07 Intersectionality and Professional Challenges
11:28 Decolonizing Psychology and Integrating Spirituality
23:17 Bodhisattva Practices and Therapeutic Parallels
28:53 Reflections and Closing Thoughts
35:27 Conclusion and Call to Action

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Cultivating Loving-Kindness for Inner Critics: Buddhist Practice for Therapists

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0800

In this episode of The Practitioner's Heart Podcast, host Poh Gan, a psychologist and Buddhist practitioner, shares practical Buddhist wisdom to help therapists and healthcare workers cultivate loving-kindness and manage the inner critic. Poh introduces a simple yet profound practice using Metta (loving-kindness meditation) that can be integrated into daily life to soothe self-criticism and promote resilience. Listeners are guided through a hands-on-heart exercise designed to bring immediate relief and create new habits of self-kindness, ensuring a sustainable and balanced practice. This episode is a resource for therapists seeking deeper spiritual alignment and support in their personal and professional lives.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart

02:29 The Inner Critic's Replay Loop

04:10 Understanding the Inner Critic

06:40 Practicing Metta: Loving Kindness

14:23 Hands-on Heart Practice

19:39 Building a Sustainable Practice

21:21 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

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We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

The Invisible Emotional Load of a Therapist: How to Hold Space Without Being Consumed

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0800

In this episode of the Practitioner's Heart podcast, host Poh Gan explores the 'invisible emotional load' that therapists often carry. Drawing on Mahayana Buddhist psychology, Poh shares insights into how thoughts and emotions are like dust on a mirror—transient and not defining who we are. The episode discusses practical techniques for therapists to manage stress and emotional weight, offering a blend of theory and actionable advice. Poh also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and releasing emotions, ultimately fostering a practice of compassion without being overwhelmed. The episode includes practical examples, insights into handling empathy and compassion fatigue, and guidance on maintaining emotional clarity and balance.

00:00 Introduction to the Practitioner's Heart

02:21 The Emotional Load of a Therapist

04:15 Understanding Emotions Through a Buddhist Lens

06:42 The Concept of Emptiness in Buddhism

09:14 Practical Applications in Therapy

12:43 Managing Emotional Reactions

15:55 Therapeutic Presence and Compassion

22:28 Concluding Thoughts and Practices

25:26 Closing Remarks

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

The Middle Way: Reimagining Rest for Therapists and Healthcare Workers

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0800

In this episode of 'The Practitioner's Heart Podcast,' host Poh Gan delves into the pervasive habit among therapists and healthcare workers of treating rest as a reward that needs to be earned. Drawing on Buddhist teachings and personal experiences, Poh discusses the concept of the Middle Way, a balanced path between extreme discipline and indulgence, to illustrate how rest should be considered an essential resource rather than a luxury or reward. The episode offers practical advice on integrating rest into daily routines, thereby enhancing the capacity for presence and compassion both in personal and professional life. Poh encourages listeners to rethink their approach to rest and provides insights on cultivating self-awareness and self-compassion.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart
02:26 The Habit of Earning Your Break
04:55 The Middle Way: A Buddhist Perspective
10:09 Practical Tips for Integrating Rest
14:28 Final Thoughts and Closing

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Gratitude & Acknowledgement

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0800

In this episode of the Practitioner's Heart Podcast, host Poh emphasises the profound role of gratitude within Buddhist practice, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the teachings and compassion received from parents and Dharma teachers. Poh shares personal reflections on the impactful teachings from Venerable Master Shen-Kai and other spiritual guides from the Buddhahood Lineage. The episode urges listeners, especially therapists and healthcare workers, to integrate wisdom and compassion into their daily practices and cultivate a community dedicated to collective awakening and growth. Poh concludes with an invitation to listeners to engage with the podcast through sharing, feedback, and participation.

00:00 Introduction to The Practitioner's Heart

02:21 Episode Theme: Gratitude and Acknowledgement

03:06 The Four Types of Grace in Mahayana Tradition

03:39 Honouring Parents and Teachers

04:43 Venerable Master Shen-Kai and His Legacy

07:23 The Path to Awakening and Future Generations

08:41 Personal Journey and Inspirations

11:19 Mahayana Teachings and Daily Practice

14:37 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

17:03 Final Words and Call to Action

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.

Teaser: The Practitioner's Heart Podcast

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0800

After the therapy room door closes and the day’s stories soften into silence, what helps your heart settle? The Practitioner’s Heart is a new podcast for therapists and healthcare workers who want to feel grounded, steady and spiritually nourished. If you've ever ended a day feeling mentally full, emotionally stretched, or longing for deeper clarity, this space is for you. Through practical Buddhist wisdom, gentle reflections, and honest conversations, we'll explore how helpers can care for their own hears while caring for others. I’m Poh, psychologist and long‑time Buddhist practitioner, inviting you to discover steady, compassionate ways to return to yourself. Follow The Practitioner’s Heart on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and join us for our launch in January 2026.

Let us know what you took away from this conversation!

We meet every second Friday starting from July 2026 — and the founding member rate is just $55/month.