Mental Health in Public Conversation
Psychotherapist Allan Clarke contributes to conversations about mental health, trauma, autism, relationships and human behaviour across radio, podcasts and live media.
With 15+ years of clinical experience, a background in award-winning performance and experience hosting more than 100 long-form podcast conversations, Allan is comfortable discussing complex psychological subjects in a clear, accessible and conversational way.
His media work often draws together professional knowledge and lived experience, particularly around late-diagnosed autism, men’s mental health, trauma, relationships and identity.
Straight Talking Mental Health
Clinical experience
Guest commentary and interviews
Award-winning performance background
125 episodes of conversations that did not need tidying up.
Straight Talking Mental Health explored mental health through long-form conversations with people whose experiences could not always be reduced to a neat five-minute answer.
Guests included Premier League footballer and Ireland U21 coach Jim Crawford, Aslan’s Billy McGuinness and former Royal Marine sniper James Boardman.
Topics ranged from trauma, grief, suicide and relationships to parenting, behavioural addiction, neurodivergence, sexuality and subjects that are often difficult to discuss openly.
This podcast kept me alive.
Among the feedback received during the podcast was a message from a listener describing the role the programme had played during a particularly difficult period in their life.
Discussed by Allan during an interview with Ballinakill Buzz FM.
Autism, Alcoholism & Self-Esteem
Allan joined Thomas Green for a long-form conversation about receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood, growing up with an alcoholic father, self-esteem, relationships and a working definition of love.
#286 – Autism, Alcoholism & Self Esteem With Psychotherapist Allan Clarke
A personal discussion about late-diagnosed autism, childhood experience, self-esteem and how earlier experiences can continue to shape adult life.
Long-form conversations.
Selected podcast appearances exploring autism, childhood, identity, relationships, behaviour, self-sabotage and the decisions that shape how people live.
Autism, Acting & Fatherhood
A conversation with psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Reid about being diagnosed autistic in adulthood, childhood experience, acting, music, parenting and identity.
“Like an alien on Earth. That’s how it always felt, until the diagnosis.”
Self-Sabotage & Video Game Addiction
A conversation about video game addiction, escapism, boundaries, autism, self-control and what happens when people try to manage internal discomfort through external behaviour.
“We try to control the outside world because the inside feels out of control.”
The Power of Decisions
A long-form conversation about relationships, therapy, mental health, personal responsibility and the decisions that help shape identity and direction.
“Every decision we make defines who we are and who we could become.”
Clear conversation without the jargon.
Allan has contributed to radio discussions on mental health, including appearances on Midlands 103.
Broadcast conversations require a different kind of communication from the therapy room. Psychological ideas need to be accurate without becoming inaccessible, and sensitive subjects need to be discussed without reducing them to slogans.
Subjects Allan can contribute on.
Areas where clinical experience, professional training or lived experience can provide useful context for interviews, features and discussion.
Autism & Late Diagnosis
Trauma & Emotional Regulation
Anxiety & Stress
Men’s Mental Health
Relationships & Attachment
Parenting & Adolescence
Gaming & Behavioural Addiction
Mindfulness & Meditation
Identity & Self-Esteem
Clinical experience with a performance background.
Allan’s background in theatre includes multiple acting awards, including Best Actor at the All-Ireland Drama Finals.
Years of live performance, podcast hosting, facilitation and clinical work mean he is comfortable with unscripted conversation, live audiences, recorded interviews and difficult subject matter.
Speaking & Training →Looking for a contributor or guest?
Podcast hosts, producers, journalists and event organisers can get in touch with details of the subject, format and proposed date.
Media, podcast or speaking enquiry?
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