Pamela Espin early experiences witnessing the impact of mental illness on individuals and families shaped a strong sense of purpose. Social work became her way of combining compassion with evidence-based practice to support people through life’s toughest challenges.

Her first university placement, in an inpatient mental health unit, was transformative. “That’s when I realised how powerful the role of a social worker could be.” After graduating, she worked in hospital settings but found that conventional talk therapy wasn’t always enough. Many clients, she observed, were carrying trauma in their bodies. “Recovery couldn’t just be intellectual—it had to reach emotional and physical layers too.” This insight led her to become an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and pursue training in EMDR, somatic therapy and schema work.

Private practice allowed her to work beyond the limitations of public systems. “You can witness profound change when people are consistently met with a human-centred, trauma-informed approach.” A career highlight came when she was named a finalist for NSW Health Employee of the Year at just 28. The recognition affirmed the value of therapeutic social work and her role in advocating for it.

Despite the progress, Pamela says misunderstandings about mental health social work persist. “There’s still a tendency to see psychologists or psychiatrists as the only specialists.” But thanks to growing advocacy, more professionals now recognise the depth of her discipline. She recalls a client who’d spent 40 years in therapy without emotional freedom. “After a few EMDR sessions, they said, ‘For the first time in years, I feel like I’ve actually let go.’”

Pamela’s work goes beyond individual therapy. She’s a vocal advocate for systemic change, especially in workplaces. In 2021, she was featured in Vogue for speaking out on mental health and leave policies affecting women. She’s also created a free eBook on burnout, helping those without access to therapy.

Over her decade in practice, she’s supported many clients through incredible transformations. One story she often shares is of a man who hadn’t left home for 20 years. With time and support, he eventually walked into her clinic for treatment. “The team was stunned. It was a reminder of what’s possible with a humanistic approach.”

Pamela stresses that the biggest challenges clients face are often systemic—financial hardship, lack of access, and limited support networks. “Recovery isn’t something people can do alone.” That’s why she works closely with carers and families as well.

Supervision and reflection are core to her practice. “They’ve been instrumental in shaping me into a stronger, more self-aware clinician.” She’s also active in the community—hosting a podcast on trauma and burnout, working with corporate partners, and challenging outdated views of social work. “People still think we just handle crises. In reality, we’re trained therapists with a deep understanding of mental health and systems.”

Diversity in her client base has shaped her practice. “It’s made me more adaptive, humble, and culturally aware.” Personally and professionally, social work has taught her that healing is complex and non-linear, and that caring for herself is key to supporting others well.

Outside work, Pamela is energised by creativity and connection. She loves food, travel, writing, podcasting and styling. “Time with friends and family is my anchor, whether it’s a long chat over coffee or a spontaneous adventure.”

Looking ahead, she wants to see greater integration of body-based trauma therapy in mainstream care, and for mental health social workers to be recognised as therapeutic leaders. “You belong here,” she says to aspiring private practitioners. “Don’t let outdated ideas about our scope hold you back.”