Planning for People
Wellbeing Coordination isn't therapy on set. It's another layer of thoughtful production planning helping anticipate the human demands of the work before they become production challenges.
The question isn't, "Should every production have one?" It's "What level of support makes sense for this story and this team?"
What does support actually look like?
Preproduction
✔ PRODUCER CONSULTATION
✔ SCRIPT ANALYSIS
✔ PSYCHOSOCIAL PLANNING
✔ ACCESS NEEDS SUPPORT
✔ REHEARSAL SUPPORT
During production
✔ NAVIGATION OF DEMANDING CONTENT
✔ CONTENT NOTE BREAKDOWNS
✔ COMMUNICATION PATHWAYS
✔ WELLBEING STRATEGIES
✔ CONFLICT NAVIGATION
Post production
✔ DEBRIEFING
✔ REFERRAL PATHWAYS
✔ CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Cindy’s expertise and guidance were invaluable. She provided us with the tools to navigate the intense scenes with professionalism, safety, and comfort.
Kate | Actor
Street Car Named Desire
You might be wondering ...
WHY WOULDN'T I JUST HIRE A PSYHCOLOGIST?
Because they're different roles.
A psychologist provides clinical care. A Wellbeing Coordinator provides production support.
The role isn't to diagnose, treat or counsel. It's to help create the conditions for people to do demanding work well through thoughtful planning, clear communication and practical support.
If someone requires clinical care, appropriate referral pathways can be identified. That's where the role of a psychologist begins, and the role of a Wellbeing Coordinator ends.
DO I NEED A WELLBING COORDINATOR ON MY PRODUCTION?
Every production is different. A short-form documentary and a feature exploring themes such as substance use disorder or grief won't have the same support needs.
Sometimes a conversation is enough. Sometimes ongoing involvement makes sense.
The question isn't, "Should every production have one?" It's "What level of support makes sense for this story and this team?"
CAN WELLBEING SUPPORT BE TAILORED TO SMALLER PRODUCTIONS?
Yes!!!
Support can range from a single consultation through to involvement across development, rehearsal, production or post-production. Every engagement is tailored to the scale and needs of the project.
WILL THIS SLOW DOWN PRODUCTION?
Quite the opposite.
Good preparation and support usually saves time.
Clear communication, thoughtful planning and practical systems mean fewer surprises, fewer misunderstandings and more confidence when productions reach demanding moments.
WHAT IS THERE FORMAL TRAINING FOR WELLBEING COORDINATORS?
It's still an emerging discipline. Like Intimacy Coordination, much of the specialist training has developed through international screen and stage contexts before being adapted locally. As with Intimacy Coordination, learning doesn't stop at certification. The role continues to evolve alongside industry research, production practice and emerging psychosocial frameworks.
My training is through the Association of Mental Health Coordinators, a film-specific pathway for live and recorded production. It builds on my background in Psychology, Education and Performing Arts, and my ongoing Intimacy Coordination training.
I hold a Psychology degree, but I have never practised as a psychologist. This is production support — not clinical care.
The work is demanding.
The process doesn't have to be.
Resources & research
A two-year study of the Australian screen industry highlighting both job satisfaction and systemic challenges affecting mental health, workplace culture, and working conditions.
The Looking Glass Survey consistently shows that while the screen industry is highly creative and rewarding, it is also structurally demanding — and many of the mental health challenges experienced by workers are linked to industry systems, not individual resilience.
