Practitioner Health Wellbeing Podcast

In episode 4 of Burnout and Beyond, Practitioner Health Clinicians Dr Lee David and Dr Richard Duggins discuss the topic of boundaries: what they are, why they are important, and techniques to effectively set boundaries at work! Dr Lee David is a Lead Clinician and CBT Therapist for NHS Practitioner Health, author, and an experienced GP. Find out more about Lee here. Dr Richard Duggins is a Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Practitioner Health. He is the author of Burnout-Free Working, a practical and compassionate guide to staying well while doing demanding, meaningful work. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

In episode 3 of Burnout and Beyond, Practitioner Health Clinicians Dr Lee David and Dr Richard Duggins explore trauma, moral distress, and moral injury, and how they contribute to burnout in health and social care. They discuss the many ways health and care professionals encounter trauma through what they witness, what they hear, and the ethical pressures they face and why recognising these experiences is vital for workforce wellbeing. Dr Lee David is a Lead Clinician and CBT Therapist for NHS Practitioner Health, author, and an experienced GP. Find out more about Lee here. Dr Richard Duggins is a Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Practitioner Health. He is author of a new book, Burnout-Free Working, a practical and compassionate guide to staying well while doing demanding, meaningful work. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

In episode 2 of Burnout and Beyond, Practitioner Health Clinicians Dr Lee David and Dr Richard Duggins discuss how to recover from burnout and what helps us to live well in the long term, breaking down the themes of ‘Taking Control’, ‘Aligning Our Values’, and ‘Finding Our People’. Dr Lee David is a Lead Clinician and CBT Therapist for NHS Practitioner Health, author, and an experienced GP. Find out more about Lee here. Dr Richard Duggins is a Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Practitioner Health. He is author of a new book, Burnout-Free Working, a practical and compassionate guide to staying well while doing demanding, meaningful work. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

Burnout can creep up on us. As health and care professionals, it can feel that we are expected to push through and continue on, even if our workload is overwhelming. Oftentimes, we don't recognise our symptoms until they are severe, and preventing us from doing our jobs to the best of our ability. In the first episode of Burnout and Beyond, NHS Practitioner Health clinicians Dr Lee David and Dr Richard Duggins discuss all things burnout - why it happens, how to recognise it, and what individuals and organisations can do to prevent it. Dr Lee David is a CBT Therapist for NHS Practitioner Health, author, and an experienced GP. Lee's work focuses on trauma therapy and psychological treatments for the menopause. She is the founder and director of 10 Minute CBT, a unique way of adapting simple evidence-based CBT techniques to be used during brief 10-30 minute sessions.  Buy Dr Lee David and Debbie Brewin's book 'Boosting Your Mental Wellbeing: 10 Minute Steps for Stressed Healthcare Professionals using CBT and Mindfulness' here. Dr Richard Duggins is a Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Practitioner Health. He is also Associate Medical Director for Culture and Leadership at CNTW NHS Foundation Trust, a psychotherapist, and leadership coach. He is author of a new book, Burnout-Free Working, a practical and compassionate guide to staying well while doing demanding, meaningful work.  Buy 'Burnout Free Working'  here.  NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

We are delighted to announce the launch of Understanding Your Emotions, a new eBook written by NHS Practitioner Health’s Medical Director, Dr Zaid Al-Najjar, alongside two of our highly experienced therapists, Ruth Deighton and Simon Lyne. Drawing on years of clinical practice, lived experience, and countless conversations with health and care staff, the book offers practical insights and compassionate guidance to help professionals better understand and manage the emotional impact of their work. The eBook will be released on Friday 10th October 2025 to coincide with World Mental Health Day. The book will be available to download here. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

Uncertainty is a common feeling that many health and care professionals experience. However, when the feeling of uncertainty is overwhelming, it can impact your mental health and confidence inside and out of the workplace. In this episode of Understanding Emotions, Practitioner Health Medical Director Dr Zaid Al-Najjar and therapist Ruth Deighton discuss the ins and outs of experiencing uncertainty in the healthcare workplace, and ways that health and care professionals can deal with this tricky emotion. If you have found that you are worrying and experiencing anxiety more frequently, you may need support. If you are unable to access confidential treatment from local services in England or Scotland, Practitioner Health is here to support you.   Resources: Returning to Work Returning to Work: Practitioner Health  Return to Work: General Medical Council Returning to clinical practice after absence: BMA Returning to work after absence: ACAS NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

32% of the 2024 NHS Staff Survey respondents stated that acted as a carer towards family members, friends, neighbours, or others. This #CarersWeek, former Practitioner Health patient Dr Rachel Molloy met with Medical Director Dr Zaid Al-Najjar and Therapist Ruth Deighton to discuss her experiences of being a carer whilst being a GP. Join Rachel's Substack here: https://substack.com/@timetocare Support for Carers: Carers UK Carers Trust NHS: Support and Benefits for Carers Citizens Advice: Carer's Allowance Carers Assessments  Gov UK: Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone Ask your GP for information about what support is available for carers in your local area. You may be given a carers pack.  NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

In the health and care workforce, sometimes positive feedback can be few and far between. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, have a listen to Dr Lisa Tyrer's advice on how to use positive feedback to create a supportive community in the workplace! Dr Lisa Tyrer is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist at Practitioner Health with expertise in treating health and care professionals. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

As health and care professionals, our to-do list can seem never ending. In order to protect yourself from getting stressed or burnt out, it is essential to set boundaries in the workplace. This Stress Awareness Month, #LeadWithLove and have a listen to Dr Lisa Tyrer's advice on how to establish healthy boundaries at work today! Dr Lisa Tyrer is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and Group Facilitator for NHS Practitioner Health's Burnout Group. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

It's important to practice self-compassion and unwind after a stressful shift. This Stress Awareness Month, 'Lead with Love' by following our 5 minute guided mindfulness resource narrated by Joanna Howes, one of our Lead Clinicians here at NHS Practitioner Health. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

Moral Injury 'is understood to be the strong cognitive and emotional response that can occur following events that violate a person's moral or ethical code'. This week, NHS Practitioner Health Medical Director Dr Zaid Al-Najjar is joined by therapists Simon Lyne and Ruth Deighton to discuss how moral injury manifests in health and care professionals, and how this term was popularised during the COVID-19 pandemic.  NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

It's Time to Talk Day- an annual campaign that encourages people across the UK to start conversations on the topic of mental health. In this episode, Dr Zaid Al-Najjar is joined by Dr Jess Morgan, former paediatrician and mental health advocate previously known as ‘The Bipolar Doc’ to discuss her experiences of mental ill health as a medical student, resident doctor, and paediatrician.  Dr Jess Morgan recalls her journey through medical school and training, delving into the culture of stoicism among doctors and the way in which mental ill health is heavily stigmatised in the workplace. She also candidly shares how she sought help for her mental ill health, and reflects on the support from others that truly helped her through her journey.    If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that there is always someone to talk to.  Resources: Call the Samaritans Helpline 24/7, 365 days a year at 116 123. Access Shout’s free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service. Text NHSPH to 85258. Join Doctors in Distress’ free online weekly support groups here. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

As a health and care professional, do you implement compassion, empathy, and sympathy into your daily life? In this episode, NHS Practitioner Health Medical Director Dr Zaid Al-Najjar and Therapist Simon Lyne are joined by Dr Maiedha Raza to discuss why compassion, empathy, and sympathy are important to have in healthcare.  Resources: The King's Fund Course: An introduction to leading with kindness and compassion in health and social care Self Compassion with Dr Kristen Neff Guided Meditation: The RAIN of Self Compassion with Tara Brach NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals who are unable to access confidential treatment from local services. Register with us today. Stay Connected: X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Threads: @nhs_prachealth LinkedIn: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health Bluesky: @nhsprachealth

It's the festive season! Although the holiday season is associated with feelings of joy, warmth, and happiness, this period of the year can be particularly hard for health and care professionals.  Medical Director Dr Zaid Al-Najjar and NHS Practitioner Health therapists Ruth Deighton and Simon Lyne discuss all things Christmas: why it can be emotionally challenging, issues that have featured in conversations with PH patients during the festive season, and ways to look after your mental health at the end of the year. They also touch upon Seasonal Affective Disorder, a condition which can worsen your mental health during the festive periods.  NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals. If you work in the NHS and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register with us today: www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk. For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

To mark 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, NHS Practitioner Health clinicians Dr Kath O'Hara and Dr Hannah Minor are joined by Dr Seema Haider and Dr Sandi Dheensa to discuss health and care professionals affected by domestic abuse. In this episode, our hosts discuss NHS Practitioner Health's involvement in the PHRIDA Study led by Dr Sandi Dheensa, Dr Seema Haider's lived experience of domestic abuse, and the types of domestic abuse that affects NHS Practitioner Health patients. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is support available. Access Mind's 'Guide to support options for abuse' here. Experiencing domestic abuse can affect your mental health. If you are unable to access confidential treatment from local services, NHS Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register here. Dr Seema Haider is NHS GP, Coach, and writer. Read her BMJ article 'Courage is Contagious: we need to talk about the domestic abuse experienced by female doctors in the NHS' here. Dr Sandi Dheensa is a Research Fellow at Bristol Medical School. She has led and assisted with a variety of research projects around the topic of domestic abuse. Read more here. Dr Hannah Minor is a GP Lead Clinician and Safeguarding Lead at NHS Practitioner Health. She is also an Occupational Health Physician, GP mentor, coach, and GP appraiser. Dr Kath O'Hara is the Clinician Lead for London and South and Safeguarding Lead at NHS Practitioner Health. Research Mentioned in the Episode: Dheensa, Sandi, et al., 'Healthcare Professionals' Own Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Systematic Review of Risk Markers and Consequences', 2022. Dheensa, Sandi, Janine Doughty, Alison Gregory, 'Healthcare professionals as domestic abuse survivors: workplace impact and support seeking', 2024. Donovan, Emily, et al., 'Domestic abuse among female doctors: thematic analysis of qualitative interviews in the UK', 2021. Donovan, Emily, 'Domestic abuse among female doctors', BJGP Interviews, The British Journal of General Practice, 2021. Feder, Gene, et al., 'Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) of women experiencing domestic violence with a primary care training and support programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial', 2011. Centre for Academic Primary care, University of Bristol, 'PHRIDA Study',  www.phridastudy.blogs.bristol.ac.uk. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals. If you work in the NHS and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register with us today: www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk. For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

It's Movember! This year, NHS Practitioner Health are encouraging health and care professionals to open up about their mental health via our Talk Mo With PH campaign! In this episode, Zaid, Simon, and Ruth discuss the factors that prevent men from seeking mental health support, and the effect that toxic masculinity has on men's ability to open up about their mental health. Reflecting on their previous male patients, Simon and Ruth present a variety of tips on how men can overcome internalised stigma and access professional mental health support. To access mental health support for men, click here. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals. If you work in the NHS and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register with us today: www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk. For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

This International Stress Awareness Day, NHS Practitioner Health Clinician Dr Lisa Tyrer joins Zaid, Ruth, and Simon to discuss burnout. Burnout, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases, is ‘a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.’ In this episode, Lisa, Zaid, Ruth, and Simon break down burnout- what it is, its symptoms, and measures you can take to stop burnout from happening.   Dr Lisa Tyrer is the facilitator for NHS Practitioner Health’s Burnout Group. If you are exhibiting signs of burnout and are unable to access confidential mental health treatment from local services, register with us. Visit www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk.  NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals. If you work in the NHS and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register with us today: www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk. For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

Submit your questions about the 2024 Wounded Healer Summit here! NHS Practitioner Health clinicians Dr Eleanor Cole and Dr Leon Francis are joined by Melanin Medics CEO Dr Olamide Oguntimehin to discuss the journey of a black medic. Starting from the mental health of black medical students and trainees, Eleanor, Leon, and Olamide follow the black medics' journey throughout their careers in medicine, and the mental health challenges that come along with it. Melanin Medics is a national charity that promotes racial diversity in medicine by empowering current and future doctors of black heritage. For more information, visit their website here: www.melaninmedics.com. NHS Practitioner Health is a mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health & care professionals. If you work in the NHS and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you. Register with us today: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X: @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

Submit your questions about the 2024 Wounded Healer Summit here! For this episode of The Wounded Healer Podcast, Dr Zaid Al-Najjar speaks to Dr Sarah Caddy, a Director at Chimp Management, and Dr Lena J. Huins, Consultant Psychiatrist at Practitioner Health about The Chimp Paradox. The Chimp Paradox is a mind management model that helps you to recognise how your mind is working and understand how to manage your emotions and thoughts. In this episode, Dr Sarah Caddy discusses her use of The Chimp Paradox Model as a GP, how healthcare staff can utilise this model to respond rather than react in situations, and goes into more detail about the workshop that she is running at The Wounded Healer Summit in June. Dr Sarah Caddy is a Director of Chimp Management and a General Practitioner of 11 years. She continues to work as a practising NHS GP and she has had great success in helping her patients deal with and manage many causes of personal stress; illness and injury, relationships, bereavement, addictions and anxiety and depression. Join Chimp Management's 8 session programme 'Mind Management: Skills for life': https://chimpmanagement.com/what-we-do/mind-management-skills-for-life/individual/ Learn more about Chimp Management's research: https://chimpmanagement.com/research/  NHS Practitioner Health in association with the Workforce Specialist Service in Scotland and the Canopi service in Wales are pleased to announce the International Practitioner Health Summit 2024 which will focus on a new hope for workforce wellbeing and solutions for the future! Book your place today: https://bit.ly/thewoundedhealersummit2024 If you work in the NHS and think your mental health has been affected and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you- register with us today: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X (Formerly Twitter): @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health

Submit your questions about the 2024 Wounded Healer Summit here! Dr Toyin, a general and cosmetic dentist in private practice joins Richard Jones, Clinical Director at NHS Practitioner Health to explore the importance of prioritising mental and wellbeing in the demanding field of dentistry.  This episode covers the personal journey, challenges, and strategies for managing mental health in the dental profession. They both offer practical tips, coping mechanisms, and resources for safeguarding mental health and promoting resilience in the face of adversity. This episode offers valuable perspectives and guidance on prioritising self-care, seeking support, and creating a healthy work life balance. Tune in to "The Life of a Dentist" and join us as we explore the diverse and dynamic world of dentistry. If you work in the NHS and think your mental health has been affected and cannot access confidential treatment locally, Practitioner Health is here to support you- register with us today: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ NHS Practitioner Health in association with the Workforce Specialist Service in Scotland and the Canopi service in Wales are pleased to announce the International Practitioner Health Summit 2024 which will focus on a new hope for workforce wellbeing and solutions for the future! Book your place here: https://bit.ly/thewoundedhealersummit2024 For information about podcasts, webinars, and wellbeing support, follow us on social media! X (Formerly Twitter): @NHSPracHealth Instagram: @nhs_prachealth Linkedin: NHS Practitioner Health Facebook: NHS Practitioner Health