Talked Spotlight: Interview with Benjamin Watkins

Name: Benjamin Watkins

Age: 35

Years practising: 1

Speciality: Child or Adolescent, Life Transitions and Self Esteem

Please describe yourself in 20 words or less.

That's tricky. Easy going, non-judgmental, fun, cheeky, ambitious, deep and over-thinker (who can relate to that?).

What is a hobby you love to do in your spare time?

I love Ten Pin Bowling. This year I managed to earn a place in the Victorian team for an interstate tournament. Unfortunately, this was cancelled due to Covid. It is a great hobby to get into as you can do it solo or with friends. We have always used it as a way to stay connected with mates. Our weekly league night ensures we get to spend time together and keep up our social contact in what is otherwise a very busy world.

Why did you choose this career path?

I am honestly not sure on the exact reason or moment. Becoming a counsellor was always something I thought about after high school and that thought stuck with me. I believe it comes from my strong desire to support people in their good times and bad and help them create the life they want for themselves and their families.

Tell me about one experience which has kept you doing what you’re doing.

I work full time in a high school and supporting the students there has kept me going. One student that I have been working with made me a handmade card saying thank you. This card simply said, "You changed my life, thank you". If I ever have any self-doubt I look at that card and am reminded of the way we can support others.

What is one piece of general advice that you would give to a client starting out their mental health journey?

Simple. there is no "one size fits all approach". There are no 27 steps to happiness. There are times the steps are relevant for you but everyone is on a different path, even if that path is only slightly different.

If you weren’t doing what you were doing, what career would you have pursued?

I would have stayed in the retail/business world I was in. I spent 20 years in retail in a variety of management and consultancy roles. I would have built up my consultancy business more and worked in that.

What is one item in your fridge that would surprise us?

A lot of sauces! We love our different sauces half of the fridge door is full of them! There would be 25-30 as the kids are always wanting to try new ones.

Is there anything about you that you would like clients who are reading to know?

I am not your average counsellor and with that, I offer session times that are not your average times. I understand life doesn't happen between 9-5 Monday to Friday only. If you want to have a session with me outside of typical hours please message me. I am often working with clients on the weekend and at night time via telehealth. Our mental health doesn't wait for business hours and neither should you.

Book a Session

If you like what you have read about Benjamin, you can organise a telehealth session.

This Talked Spotlight was based on an interview conducted in September 2021.

Talked Spotlight is our series where we interview the professionals who help make Talked the premier digital mental health platform. The views expressed are those of the interviewees, based on their experiences within the profession, and as such are not necessarily representative of Talked's views.