Beyond the Fear: Demystifying the Unknown in Mental Health with Jess Farrell

"Fear of the unknown was more significant than any fear I’d felt interacting with anyone, even when they were quite mentally unwell." - Jess Farrell

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In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of mental health and speech therapy with Jess Farrell, a Speech Pathologist and passionate advocate.

Jess is a senior speech pathologist working in a public multidisciplinary mental health therapy team in Geelong, Victoria. She is also a loving mum of busy twin toddlers.

Jess began her speech pathology career in 2014 as a generalist supporting people across the lifespan with all communication and swallowing challenges. Since then, she has worked in both private and public settings, predominantly with neurodivergent children and adolescents. She is a self-described gap filler and is passionate about helping vulnerable people who haven't felt seen or heard.

In her current role, Jess is proud to be part of an outpatient neuro-affirming adult and youth autism assessment and support team, helping people with significant mental health challenges understand and celebrate their neurotypes. She provides speech pathology consultation to mental health professionals and is working hard to make mental health therapies more accessible for all people, regardless of neurotype and/or communication challenges. Jess has also been working with ANSA psychology and allied health in developing and delivering training programs on building neuroinclusive workplaces.

Some of the topics we discussed included:

• Fear of the unknown
• The power of inclusive communication strategies
• Trauma-informed care and attachment
• Neuroaffirming practice
• Collaborative consultation

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Connect with Jess Farrell:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-farrell-4a4b0454/
• Email: jess.j.farrell@gmail.com

Jess works as a Senior Speech Pathologist in Barwon Health’s Adult and Youth Autism Teams within the Mental Health Therapy Services.

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The Mindful Speechies Podcast:
Instagram: @mindfulspeechies

Connect with Your Hosts:

Andrew Watt

• Website: www.unitytherapy.com
• Email: andrew@unitytherapy.com
• X: https://x.com/SLPAndrew
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acwatt/

Kizzy Searle

• Website: www.attunedspeech.com.au
• Email: kizzy@attunedspeech.com.au
• Instagram: @attunedspeech
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kizzysearle/

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Enjoy the episode!

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land.