A love of musical theatre, a passion for creative wellbeing and a strong belief that you don't need to be in crisis to ask for support. Meet Brittney, the newest psychologist joining the Hey Mate team!
We're so excited to welcome Brittney to Hey Mate!
Brittney is a registered psychologist with a particular passion for supporting people working in the creative industries. She's also completing her PhD at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), exploring the relationship between wellbeing, identity and perceived competence in musical theatre performers and students.
With her love of dance, musical theatre and all things creative, Brittney brings a wonderful understanding of the people and experiences that make our industry so unique.
We sat down with Brittney for a little Q&A to get to know the person behind the psychologist, from her approach to mental health to her favourite ways to unwind (spoiler: iced oat lattes and beach days feature heavily).
First things first, tell us a little about yourself! What do you love about being a psychologist?
Hi, I'm Brittney! I'm a registered psychologist with a particular passion for the performing arts and artist wellbeing.
Outside of psychology, I've always loved the arts, particularly musical theatre, dance and the creative communities that surround them.
What I love most about being a psychologist is getting to understand people beyond what we see on the surface. I love creating a space where people feel comfortable being themselves, making sense of their experiences and figuring out what wellbeing looks like for them.
Psychology is never one size fits all. There's always something new to learn, and I feel incredibly lucky to work in a field that combines my interest in people, creativity and mental health.
What drew you to psychology?
I've always been interested in people, what makes us who we are and how our experiences shape the way we see ourselves and the world.
I loved the idea of a career where I could combine that curiosity with making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Psychology felt like a natural fit, and that interest has only grown as I've found my way into working with different communities, particularly within the arts.
What do you love most about working with creatives?
I love how passionate, expressive and individual creatives are. There's something really special about working with people who put so much of themselves into what they do.
Creative careers also come with some unique experiences and challenges, particularly around identity, vulnerability and navigating an industry that can be unpredictable.
What's one thing you wish more people knew about seeing a psychologist?
You don't have to be in crisis or have everything figured out before seeing a psychologist.
You don't even need to know exactly what you're looking for!
Sometimes it's just about having a space to unpack what's going on, get to know yourself a little better or work through things before they become overwhelming.
You don't need to have a 'big enough' reason to ask for support.
What's a common mental health myth you'd love to bust?
That we can separate our mental health from our physical health.
We can't remove our brain from our body. It's all a package deal!
Things like sleep, nutrition, movement, rest and physical health can all influence how we feel psychologically.
Looking after your mental health isn't just about what's happening in your head. It's about looking after the whole person.
What's your favourite way to unwind after a big day?
I love getting out for a walk or heading to a barre class to get my body moving and my mind refocused.
I also love to cook, and I'm a big fan of a cosy night in with a good TV show. A bit of balance is always nice!
If you weren't a psychologist, what creative career would you love to try?
Probably working in hair and makeup!
I love doing hair and makeup, so I think it would be such a fun way to be part of the creative process. Plus, everyone I know who works in that world is so lovely!
What's something bringing you joy lately?
Honestly, a good iced oat latte, my Kindle and a cute café where I can sit for an hour and pretend I don't have a million things on my to do list.
Very simple things, but they make me happy!
What's one small thing creatives can do to look after their mental health during busy periods?
I'd say try to keep a little bit of your life that has nothing to do with your creative work.
When you're rehearsing, performing or working towards a deadline, it's easy for everything to revolve around your next audition, performance or project.
Make time for the things that remind you there's a whole person outside of your creative practice.
Catch up with a friend, go to a dance class just for fun, cook a nice meal or go for a walk.
Your creative work is an important part of who you are, but it doesn't have to be your whole world.
Finally, what would you say to someone who's thinking about reaching out for support but feels a little nervous?
You don't have to know exactly what to say or have everything worked out before you reach out.
It's completely normal to feel a little nervous, especially if you've never spoken to a psychologist before.
You can show up exactly as you are, and we'll figure things out together.
Taking that first step is often the hardest part, but you don't have to do it all on your own.
A little more about Brittney ⚡
Because we couldn't let her go without a few quick questions!
Morning person or night owl? Night owl, definitely.
Coffee, tea or something else? Coffee!
Favourite way to spend a Sunday? At the beach.
Current creative obsession? I've been crocheting a lot!
A song you never skip? According to Spotify, my most played song at the moment is She's the Best by Troye Sivan.
Beach, bush or city? Beach, always.
One thing people might be surprised to learn about you? I'm doing a PhD at WAAPA exploring the relationship between wellbeing, identity and perceived competence in musical theatre performers and students. A pretty niche intersection of my two favourite worlds!
Welcome to Hey Mate, Brittney! 💛
We're thrilled to have Brittney joining our team of mental health professionals who understand the unique experiences of working in the creative industries.
From navigating the pressures of performance and creative careers to finding balance, building confidence and making space for yourself outside of your work, Brittney brings a thoughtful, compassionate and creative perspective to psychological support.
And if there's one thing we hope you'll take away from getting to know her, it's this:
You don't need to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out.
At Hey Mate, we believe looking after your mental health should be a natural part of working in the creative industries.
Interested in accessing support?
Get in touch with the Hey Mate team to find out more about our counselling and psychological support services for creatives.
