Becoming a psychologist was always my plan, but I wasn’t sure how to go about building the career I wanted. Luckily, I was able to join the APM Group as a new graduate, with their mental health and wellbeing brand, Assure, as part of their Client Support team. If that wasn’t a good enough start to my career in psychology, I was able to land a role with another of APM’s brands, Konekt Workcare: they gave me an opportunity to take on the role of Rehabilitation Consultant while completing the 4+2 program to become a registered psychologist. So far, I’m absolutely loving it.
Admittedly, it was a little scary going from the familiarity of my roles at Assure to my new role at Konekt. I wasn’t sure what was waiting for me on the other side, but when I spoke to Kirsty, an Area Manager at Konekt, about the position, it sounded like the perfect fit for me.
I’m so glad I went for it because I couldn’t be happier with where I am now. Every area I’ve worked in has been so inclusive, diverse and supportive of my career growth. I feel like I’m progressing all the time.
My continuous career growth with within the APM Group
I was still studying when I first joined Assure, so it was my first experience working in the world of mental health. Although I wasn’t able to treat or diagnose, the role allowed me to familiarise myself with industry terminology, how EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs) worked, and evidence-based clinical best practice. It also taught me how to relate to people who were having a rough time, and to manage my own emotions better.
Since day one with Assure and now with Konekt Workcare, I’ve been adding layers to my knowledge base and expanding my skillset. I’ve had access to various courses, as well as a number of established and knowledgeable psychologists who I can bounce ideas off.
This incidental resource has actually been one of the most important throughout my career, as it has given me insight into the lives of other psychologists and how they approach various situations. It has also helped with my practical understanding of psychology: how to apply it, what to say in certain situations, and how to protect yourself in such a person-centred role.
My work as a Rehabilitation Consultant at Konekt Workcare
My final role with Assure involved working on a SafeWork project, so it was a natural transition to move to Konekt Workcare, which specialises in building safe workplaces and rehabilitating or redeploying injured workers.
My role today allows me to assist all sorts of people with differing backgrounds and circumstances to get back to work after injury. I work with a variety of clients via both telehealth and face-to-face services. My approach is holistic – my goal is to make people’s whole lives better.
Work provides people with a sense of purpose and a reason to get up in the morning, so it's great to be a part of that journey in helping people return to work. Although I am still new to the space, I've already had the pleasure of some big wins with clients. Supporting people who may otherwise not have anyone to talk to can definitely be challenging, but when the outcome is positive, it’s incredibly rewarding.
If you’re looking to build your own dream career in psychology or allied health, head to our website for the latest job openings.
