#68 — Dr Hayley Watson on Mental Health Skills for Kids

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Hayley Watson about supporting the mental health of students, parents, and teachers through a practical curriculum for developing mental skills. Dr Hayley Watson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, lecturer, and program developer who is passionate about helping people find and cultivate their inner potential and inherent value. Her most recent project is a cutting-edge video-based mental health curriculum for middle and high schools being rolled out across Australia, Canada, and the US. She also delivers teacher and parent training seminars worldwide. Hayley is an expert in the field of group and school interventions, having developed and delivered youth intervention programs in Canada, the UK, Australia and the US. She has worked with non-profit organisations, private corporations, and educational systems to create and deliver programs that inspire, motivate, and unlock the potential of youth from all backgrounds and circumstances. As a clinical psychologist, Hayley has extensive experience in the assessment, treatment, and support of children, adolescents, adults, and families with a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, and has particular expertise in supporting adolescents dealing with anxiety, bullying/social exclusion, victimisation, and relational difficulties. She believes in a holistic approach and uses evidence-based clinical interventions that encompass mindfulness, the mind-body connection, and compassion for self and others, drawing on her training and experience in these areas. Her PhD focused on changing bully/victim dynamics through forgiveness, and she has a background in mentoring and supporting underprivileged youth. She has worked within the policing, victim services, and restorative justice fields, and has a solid grounding in academia, lecturing and teaching in the fields of both Psychology and Criminology, and holding research posts aimed at evaluating the impact and effectiveness of program implementation, and evaluating the need for specific mental health interventions. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/hayley-watsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.