From the clinic to the beach to the soccer pitch. How Renee Purcell brings psychotherapy to kids

In this episode of Moments in Mind, we meet Renee Purcell, a psychologist based in southern Sydney, Australia who specialises in supporting children, their families, and caregivers. Renee's warm, genuine approach to psychology shines through as she shares poignant examples of how she engages clients and helps them overcome mental health challenges.
Renee's work stands out for its focus on meeting clients where they are – both literally and figuratively. Rather than conducting sessions solely in a clinical setting, Renee often takes her practice outdoors, into natural environments to facilitate therapeutic activities. Whether it's building sandcastles, kicking a soccer ball, or simply going for a mindful walk, Renee has found that immersing herself and her clients in nature can have a profoundly calming effect.
Renee's approach goes beyond just the physical setting. She also makes a concerted effort to connect with each young person on an individual level, taking the time to understand their unique interests and using that as a springboard for their work together.
For one client, it was a love of the Super Mario Bros. movie that provided the key to regulating his emotions during intense meltdowns at school. For another, it was a sensory fascination with a soft blanket that helped break down barriers and draw him into the therapeutic process. 
Renee eschews clinical jargon in favour of plain English and her client-centered philosophy extends to her work with families, teachers and allied health professionals. Lasting change requires a coordinated effort, she explains, where everyone is on the same page and practicing the same techniques.
Of course, getting to that point is often no easy feat. Renee describes how many of the families she sees have already been on a challenging journey by the time they connect with her. But Renee approaches these situations with empathy and a determination to provide the tailored support each child and family needs.
Renee also explains the integral role that standardised assessments play in her work. Digital delivery of these helps engage children in the process, provides Renee with rapid results, and offers trusted validation of her hypotheses.
The podcast begins with a light-hearted anecdote from Renee’s early childhood and ends with Renee imagining her twilight years and the career highlights she will always remember.

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Running order:

• 0:02 - Renee’s earliest childhood memory
• 0:03:25 - The principles of Renee’s approach to psychology
• 0:04:58 - The importance of what children and families do beyond therapy sessions 
• 0:05:57 - Common circumstances that lead families to seek Renee’s help 
• 0:07:30 - Collaborating with each child’s parents, carers, teachers, families, etc. 
• 0:08:25 - Renee’s outdoor work with children
• 0:09:55 - How Renee uses technology to engage children in standardised assessments
• 0:12:05 - The value of independent, validated assessments
• 0:13:00 - How Renee used a song to help a boy with autism regulate his emotions
• 0:17:00 - How Renee used sensory strategies to help a boy address aggressive behaviour
• 0:19:57 - Renee’s flexible approach to mindful exercises with children
• 0:22:36 - The value of working with children in nature and green spaces
• 0:24:00 - Memorable career moments that Renee will always remember

Disclaimer
Client details and narratives presented in