Episodi

  • What Can My Child Do? Rethinking Strengths, Relationships and School

    What Can My Child Do? Rethinking Strengths, Relationships and School
    Oct 13 2026
    What happens when we stop asking what a child cannot do and start asking what they can do?In this episode, I explore a simple but important question I recently shared in an article for Not Another Leaflet: “What can my child do, rather than what they cannot do or fail to do?”Our education system often operates within a deficit model, focusing on a child’s needs, difficulties and what they are unable to do. Educational psychology can also be guilty of this, with statutory reports often being built around deficits rather than strengths. This episode looks at why we need to start asking different questions and how a strengths based approach can change the conversations between parents and schools.The discussion explores how identifying a child’s strengths can help schools build more appropriate interventions and support mechanisms around what already works for them. This might mean recognising routines that help a child regulate, using existing friendships to create opportunities for social communication, or finding the people and situations where a child feels most comfortable.I also explore a second question: “Who likes my child? And more importantly, why?”For children who are struggling in school or are at risk of exclusion, relationships can tell us a great deal about what is helping them remain connected to school. Understanding why a child responds positively to a particular adult can help us become more curious about what that relationship provides, whether that is familiarity, validation, nurture or routine.The episode considers why relationships are so important within learning and why changing the way we understand a child's behaviour may require us to look beyond the child and towards the relationships and systems around them.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy we need to ask what a child can do, rather than focusing only on what they cannot do.How the education system can fall into a deficit model.Why strengths should form a bigger part of conversations about children and their support.How schools can build interventions around what already works for a child.How existing friendships can create opportunities for social communication.Why asking “Who likes my child, and why?” can provide important information.The importance of relationships for children who are at risk of exclusion.The importance of a relational approach to learning.Why This Episode MattersSometimes, the most useful insights about a child come from looking at what already works.A strengths-based approach focuses on a child’s abilities, relationships and successes to build meaningful support at school.Asking “Who likes my child and why?” can help us understand what makes relationships work and how to create more positive experiences.🎧 Listen to the full episode for more insights on supporting children in school.I’d love to hear your thoughts:What can the children you work with do well?How often do we focus on strengths when discussing a child’s needs?What can a positive relationship tell us about how that child experiences school?Sponsored by: Next Link ConsortiumNext Link Consortium is a tailored recruitment service connecting psychology and education specialists to high-impact opportunities with built-in CPD benefits. Whether your focus is targeted SEMH and crisis support, strategic SEND audits and consultations, or professional CPD delivery, you’re welcome to contact Matheos Maneli directly to understand where your skills are needed most right now.If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli. Public Sector Executive Recruitment https://uk.linkedin.com/company/next-link-consortiumInstagram: @‌dradammcartneyWebsite: dradammccartney.comYouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney
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    7 min
  • Sensory Processing: Moving Beyond Labels and Understanding Predictability

    Sensory Processing: Moving Beyond Labels and Understanding Predictability
    Oct 6 2026

    What is sensory processing, and how can we better understand the way children respond to their environment?

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, I’m joined by Sadie Charlton, a sensory occupational therapist, to explore sensory processing, regulation and the role predictability plays in how children experience and respond to the world around them.

    We talk about what occupational therapy actually involves and why sensory processing isn’t something that only affects neurodivergent children. Sadie explains how we all have sensory needs and how everyday choices, from turning down the radio while driving to changing into comfortable clothes after work, can be understood through a sensory lens.

    The conversation then looks at the difference between sensory processing and sensory integration, and why traditional ideas around sensory seeking and sensory avoiding may not tell the whole story. We explore how predictive processing adds another layer by helping us understand anticipation, uncertainty and how much control someone feels they have over their environment.

    Sadie also shares practical examples from working with schools, including how predictability, routine and giving children reliable ways to regulate can support participation and engagement. We discuss sensory checklists, behaviour as communication, hypervigilance and why creating supportive environments can sometimes be more useful than trying to “fix” the child.

    In This Episode, We Explore

    • What sensory processing actually means
    • Why sensory needs affect everyone, not just neurodivergent children
    • Sensory processing vs sensory integration
    • Sensory seeking, sensory avoiding and sensory thresholds
    • How predictive processing changes the way we understand sensory needs
    • The relationship between uncertainty, anticipation and regulation
    • Why behaviour can be a form of communication
    • Predictability and participation in school
    • Supporting children without making them feel different from their peers
    • Practical approaches schools can use to create more predictable environments

    🎧Listen now for a practical and thought-provoking conversation about sensory processing, predictability, regulation and creating environments where children can feel more supported and ready to participate.

    Sponsored by: Next Link Consortium

    Next Link Consortium is a tailored recruitment service connecting psychology and education specialists to high-impact opportunities with built-in CPD benefits. Whether your focus is targeted SEMH and crisis support, strategic SEND audits and consultations, or professional CPD delivery, you’re welcome to contact Matheos Maneli directly to understand where your skills are needed most right now.

    If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli. Public Sector Executive Recruitment

    https://uk.linkedin.com/company/next-link-consortium

    Connect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)Instagram: @‌dradammcartney
    Website: dradammccartney.com
    YouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney

    Connect with Sadie Charlton
    Linkdein: www.linkedin.com/in/sadie-charlton-99400a382/
    Website: www.sensorypie.com
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/scharlton_nspcc
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    30 min
  • Adaptive Teaching: Moving Beyond Labels to Remove Barriers to Learning

    Adaptive Teaching: Moving Beyond Labels to Remove Barriers to Learning
    Sep 29 2026

    What does adaptive teaching really mean, and how can teachers move beyond labels to understand the barriers affecting learning?

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, I’m joined by Andrew Young, secondary school teacher, co-director of a teaching school hub and author of Adaptive Teaching. We explore what adaptive teaching means in practice and why focusing on barriers rather than labels can change how teachers understand and support pupils.

    We discuss the difference between proactive and reactive teaching, including how teachers can use assessment, hinge questions and knowledge of their pupils to identify and respond to barriers to learning.

    The conversation also explores SEND, diagnostic overshadowing, inclusive questioning, processing time and why strategies that support one child can often benefit the whole class.

    We then look at teacher autonomy, curriculum, engagement, belonging and the importance of relationships in helping pupils flourish.

    In This Episode, We Explore

    • What adaptive teaching really means
    • Moving beyond labels and focusing on barriers
    • Proactive and reactive teachin
    • Hinge questions and checking understanding
    • Adaptive teaching and SEND
    • Teacher autonomy and professional decision-making
    • Curriculum, engagement and belonging
    • Why relationships matter for learning

    📖 Get the book here: Adaptive Teaching: Culture to the classroom

    🎧 Listen now for a practical conversation about adaptive teaching, SEND, barriers to learning and creating classrooms where more children can flourish.

    Sponsored by: Next Link Consortium

    Next Link Consortium is a tailored recruitment service connecting psychology and education specialists to high-impact opportunities with built-in CPD benefits. Whether your focus is targeted SEMH and crisis support, strategic SEND audits and consultations, or professional CPD delivery, you’re welcome to contact Matheos Maneli directly to understand where your skills are needed most right now.

    If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli. Public Sector Executive Recruitment https://uk.linkedin.com/company/next-link-consortium

    Connect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)

    Instagram: @‌dradammcartney
    Website: dradammccartney.com
    YouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney

    Connect with Andrew Young
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-young-a1a437111/
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    35 min
  • Reflective Practice: The Skill You Need to Become a Psychologist

    Reflective Practice: The Skill You Need to Become a Psychologist
    Sep 22 2026
    What makes reflective practice different for a psychologist, and how can psychological theory change the way we understand what we see?In this episode, I explore reflective practice as a core skill in psychology. Rather than simply asking what happened, reflection involves critically examining professional experiences, assumptions and actions, and using that thinking to inform what we do next.The discussion looks at how psychologists can use theory to interrogate situations, consider different explanations and view the same experience through different psychological lenses. Using the bystander effect as an example, we explore how the presence and behaviour of others can influence whether someone intervenes when help is needed.It also reflects on an undergraduate study exploring whether shared identity might influence helping behaviour. The study compared how students and lecturers responded when someone dropped hundreds of papers near a staircase, raising questions about in-group bias, social identity theory and the role of shared identity.We then consider how this experience shaped thinking about behaviour in schools. Instead of focusing only on managing behaviour between children, the discussion explores how changing relationships, finding shared interests and recognising similarities can influence how children relate to one another.It also introduces systemic thinking and reflexivity, including the importance of recognising that psychologists are not standing outside the system they observe, but are part of it.In This Episode, We ExploreWhat reflective practice means and how it informs what we do next.Why psychologists use theory to interrogate what they are seeing.The bystander effect and the influence of other people on helping behaviour.How shared identity and in-group bias may affect whether people intervene.An undergraduate study involving students, lecturers and hundreds of dropped papers.What social identity theory can help us understand about behaviour.How shared interests and cultural heritage helped change relationships between children.Why changing relationships can sometimes change behaviour.The connection between reflective practice and reflexivity.Why This Episode MattersReflective practice is not simply about asking what went well or badly. It involves questioning experiences, considering different psychological explanations and allowing that thinking to influence future practice.As the episode explores, an undergraduate study continued to shape professional thinking years later. The important part was not just what the study found, but how the experience changed the way of thinking and eventually changed the way of practising.🎧Listen now for a discussion about reflective practice, psychological theory, shared identity, relationships and systemic thinking.I’d love to hear your thoughts:What does reflective practice mean to you?How do you use psychological theory to understand what you see?Has an experience ever changed the way you approach your practice?Sponsored by: Next Link ConsortiumNext Link Consortium is a tailored recruitment service connecting psychology and education specialists to high-impact opportunities with built-in CPD benefits. Whether your focus is targeted SEMH and crisis support, strategic SEND audits and consultations, or professional CPD delivery, you’re welcome to contact Matheos Maneli directly to understand where your skills are needed most right now.If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli. https://www.nextlinkconsort.co.uk/ https://uk.linkedin.com/company/next-link-consortiumConnect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)Instagram: @‌dradammcartneyWebsite: dradammccartney.comYouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney
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    7 min
  • The Skill Underpinning Psychology

    The Skill Underpinning Psychology
    Sep 15 2026
    What does reflective practice really look like, and how can psychology move from theory into everyday practice?In this episode of Between Two Psychs, I’m joined by Lois Harreld, a trainee educational psychologist, to explore her journey into educational psychology and why reflective practice has been such a core part of her experience.We discuss how Lois’s experiences across alternative provision, youth work, mainstream education and specialist SEND settings helped shape her passion for psychology, relationships and supporting the whole child. We explore how psychological theories can help us understand children and young people, their behaviour and their experiences, and how this understanding can bring more compassion and understanding.Lois shares her experience of developing and managing an alternative provision and explains how the team used reflective practice to think about their values, their setting and how theories such as Dan Hughes’ PACE model could be applied in practice. We also discuss the different ways reflective practice can happen, from conversations and written reflection to simply sitting with your own thoughts.A key part of the conversation is the relationship between reflective practice and identity. We explore how our own experiences, values and stories shape who we are as practitioners, and why reflection is not just about looking at what we do, but also how we think.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy relationships and understanding the whole child are so important.How psychological theory can be applied to everyday practice.How reflective practice was used within an alternative provision.The different approaches to reflective practice, including talking, writing and thinking.How reflective practice connects with professional identity, values and self-awareness.Why reflective practice should not become a tick-box exercise.How recognising strengths and positive moments is also part of reflection.Why aspiring educational psychologists should focus on authenticity, values and how they have applied psychology.Why This Episode MattersReflective practice isn't just about writing things down. As we discuss, it can be a conversation, a journal, a mind map, a voice note or simply taking time to think about what happened, how you felt and what you might do differently.For Lois, reflective practice has been about connecting psychological theory with real experiences, understanding her own identity and values, and continuing to learn. For aspiring psychologists, it also means showing not just what psychology you know, but how you embody it.🎧 Listen now for a conversation about psychology, reflective practice, identity, values and the journey into educational psychology.I’d love to hear your thoughts:What does reflective practice look like for you?Do you find talking, writing or thinking most useful when reflecting?How does your own identity and values influence the way you work?Sponsored by: Next Link ConsortiumNext Link Consortium is a tailored recruitment service connecting psychology and education specialists to high-impact opportunities with built-in CPD benefits. Whether your focus is targeted SEMH and crisis support, strategic SEND audits and consultations, or professional CPD delivery, you’re welcome to contact Matheos Maneli directly to understand where your skills are needed most right now.If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli. https://www.nextlinkconsort.co.uk https://uk.linkedin.com/company/next-link-consortiumConnect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)Instagram: @‌dradammcartneyWebsite: dradammccartney.comYouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartneyConnect with Lois HarroldLinkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lois-harrold-7b3bb019bInstagram: @loisthete
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    29 min
  • Why Schools Misunderstand Behaviour

    Why Schools Misunderstand Behaviour
    Jul 28 2026

    When I was asked to support a school in crisis, the story everyone was telling centred around two children. The belief was simple: if we could fix their behaviour, everything else would improve. But what I found was something very different.

    In this episode of Between Two Psychs, I share how I worked with a primary school where staff were on the verge of burnout, leadership had broken down, morale was low, and relationships had become fractured. Rather than focusing on changing the children, I explain why I became curious about the whole system and how small changes across the school created lasting impact.

    I take you through the psychological theories that informed my work, including systems theory, self-determination theory, attachment theory, and social identity theory. I also explain why recognising people's strengths, giving staff the opportunity to contribute, and building stronger relationships helped create a more stable environment for both adults and children.

    In This Episode, I Explore

    • Why behaviour rarely exists in isolation.
    • How systems theory helps us understand the bigger picture.
    • How recognising and using staff strengths can change a school system.
    • How motivation, relationships and identity influence behaviour and school culture.
    • Why relationships and emotional regulation are central to learning.

    Why This Episode Matters

    Psychology isn't something I just study, it's something I live. In this episode, I share how applying psychology across a whole school helped move staff from blame to problem-solving and created a more connected, stable environment where children could learn and adults could thrive.

    🎧 Listen now to discover why, if you want to change behaviour, you first need to understand the system that's producing it.

    I’d love to hear your thoughts:

    • Which of these psychological theories resonates most with your own experience?

    • How could you apply these ideas in your own school or workplace

    Episode Sponsor

    This episode of Between Two Psychs is proudly sponsored by Sanctuary Personnel.

    As a specialist recruitment partner across psychology services, education, social care, and healthcare, Sanctuary Personnel is dedicated to connecting talented professionals with organisations that truly value expertise. Their consultative approach means they understand the sectors they serve and the challenges faced by professionals across the UK.

    If you're looking to strengthen your team or elevate your own career, visit https://www.sanctuarypersonnel.com
    You can also reach out directly to Kamruz Zaman at https://www.sanctuarypersonnel.com/consultants/kamruz-zaman/ and Suzi Couszins at https://www.sanctuarypersonnel.com/consultants/suzi-couszins/

    Connect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)

    Instagram: @‌dradammcartney
    Website: dradammccartney.com
    YouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney
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    16 min
  • How to Build a School-Wide Culture of Safeguarding

    How to Build a School-Wide Culture of Safeguarding
    Jul 21 2026
    Safeguarding is often seen as policies, procedures, and compliance. But what if the strongest safeguarding cultures are built on something much deeper?In this episode of Between Two Psychs, we're joined by Delyth Lynch, Director of Safeguarding at Wellington College and author of Beyond Compliance. Together, we explore why safeguarding should never be reduced to a checklist, and how values, relationships, leadership, and culture create environments where children and young people genuinely feel safe.Throughout the conversation, we discuss how organisational values shape everyday decisions, why policies should guide rather than define safeguarding practice, and how school culture influences everything from recruitment to behaviour, staff wellbeing, and student outcomes. We also explore the hidden biases that can affect professional judgement, the importance of curiosity over assumptions, and why relationships remain at the heart of effective safeguarding.We also dive into the impact of cognitive load on teachers, how busy staff can unintentionally become less curious, and why supportive leadership, reflective practice, and psychological safety help schools create environments where both staff and students can thrive.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy safeguarding is about culture, not simply compliance.How organisational values influence everyday safeguarding decisions.The role of Values-Based Interviewing (VBA) in recruiting the right people.Why behaviour should always be understood as communication.The connection between relationships, trust, and effective safeguarding.How cognitive load reduces curiosity and increases safeguarding risks.Why staff wellbeing, reflective practice, and supportive leadership strengthen safeguarding cultures.Why This Episode MattersCreating a safe school is about far more than having the right policies in place. It requires shared values, trusting relationships, reflective leadership, and a culture where every member of staff feels responsible for safeguarding.This offers practical insights for teachers, school leaders, safeguarding professionals, and anyone working with children who wants to move beyond compliance and create environments where young people truly feel seen, heard, and protected.🎧 Listen now to discover how schools can build safeguarding cultures that strengthen relationships, support staff, and keep children at the centre of every decision.Episode SponsorThis episode of Between Two Psychs is proudly sponsored by Sanctuary Personnel.As a specialist recruitment partner across psychology services, education, social care, and healthcare, Sanctuary Personnel is dedicated to connecting talented professionals with organisations that truly value expertise. Their consultative approach means they understand the sectors they serve and the challenges faced by professionals across the UK.If you're looking to strengthen your team or elevate your own career, visit https://www.sanctuarypersonnel.comYou can also reach out directly to Kamruz Zaman at Kamruz Zaman - Sanctuary Personnel andSuzi Couszins at Suzi Couszins - Sanctuary Personnel Connect with Delyth LynchLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delyth-lynch-6098b133/Get Delyth Lynch's Book- Beyond Compliance: The DSL's guide to creating a school-wide culture of safeguardingConnect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)Instagram: @‌dradammcartneyWebsite: dradammccartney.comYouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney
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    25 min
  • How Teachers Can Manage Stress Before the New School Year

    How Teachers Can Manage Stress Before the New School Year
    Jul 14 2026
    The end of the school year is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reset. But after months of increasing pressure, many teachers and school leaders find it difficult to switch off.In this episode, we explore the realities of stress in education and discuss practical psychological strategies that can help teachers decompress over the summer while preparing for the challenges of the new academic year.Drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and positive psychology, we explore how changing the way we think about stress can influence how we feel and respond to difficult situations.We also reflect on the growing pressures facing schools, including the new Ofsted framework, SEND reforms, increasing workload, and the emotional demands placed on teachers and leaders. Throughout the conversation, we discuss how school culture, leadership, and psychological safety can support staff wellbeing during periods of significant change.Rather than simply trying to eliminate stress, we explore how teachers can develop healthier ways of responding to it while creating more sustainable habits for the year ahead.In This Episode, We ExploreWhy the summer break should be about more than simply switching off.Practical CBT techniques teachers can use to manage stressful thoughts and emotions.The role of mindfulness and acceptance when dealing with uncertainty.How positive psychology and language influence resilience and wellbeing.The impact of Ofsted changes, SEND reforms, and increasing demands on schoolsWhy psychological safety and supportive leadership matter for staff wellbeing.How teachers can prepare mentally for a healthier and more sustainable new school year.Why This Episode MattersTeaching has always been demanding, but increasing accountability, curriculum pressures, and changing expectations have left many educators feeling overwhelmed.This episode offers practical psychological approaches that teachers and school leaders can use to reflect on the past year, manage stress more effectively, and build healthier habits before returning to school. By understanding how thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and workplace culture interact, educators can approach the new academic year with greater confidence and resilience.🎧 Listen now to discover practical strategies for reducing stress, improving wellbeing, and preparing for a more positive school year.I’d love to hear your thoughts:What has been your biggest source of stress this academic year?How do you switch off during the summer holidays?Which stress management strategies have worked best for you?What can school leaders do to better support staff wellbeing?How do you think the new Ofsted framework and SEND reforms will affect schools next year?Episode SponsorThis episode of Between Two Psychs is proudly sponsored by Sanctuary Personnel.As a specialist recruitment partner across psychology services, education, social care, and healthcare, Sanctuary Personnel is dedicated to connecting talented professionals with organisations that truly value expertise. Their consultative approach means they understand the sectors they serve and the challenges faced by professionals across the UK.If you're looking to strengthen your team or elevate your own career, visit https://www.sanctuarypersonnel.comYou can also reach out directly to Kamruz Zaman at Kamruz Zaman - Sanctuary Personnel andSuzi Couszins at Suzi Couszins - Sanctuary PersonnelConnect with Mike LaneWebsite: ridgewaypsychology.co.ukLinkedIn: michael-laneConnect with MeInstagram: @‌dradammcartneyWebsite: dradammccartney.comYouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney
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    33 min