Services

Speaking

Tana Macpherson-Smith is a dynamic, world-class speaker on a mission to transform the way we understand and approach mental health — in education, workplaces, and beyond.

Tana Macpherson-Smith

The Monkey–Mind

The Monkey–Mind

Speaker

A child and adolescent trauma therapist, mindset transformation coach, and founder of ClearMinds Education, Tana brings over 25 years of experience in education and a decade of therapeutic practice to her mission. Her deeply personal journey – from childhood loss and emotional abuse to a catastrophic breakdown and cancer – infuses every talk with raw honesty, insight, and hope. Blending storytelling, science, and soul, she equips audiences to understand the roots of emotional struggle and take bold steps toward lasting change.

Inspiring the Next Generation to Think Differently About Mental Health

When Tana Macpherson-Smith steps into a school hall, she brings more than a speech, she brings honesty, hope, and the courage to talk about what really matters. With warmth, humour, and her signature “monkey magic,” she helps students understand their inner critic, break down stigma, and discover the strength they already have inside.

Through powerful stories and practical tools, Tana leaves young people feeling seen, heard, and equipped to face life’s challenges, proving that mental health conversations can be empowering, not scary.

Tana’s belief is simple but powerful:

“The solution to the global mental health crisis doesn’t lie in patching up the wounded – through therapy and medication alone – but in preventing the wounds from forming in the first place.”

She champions a new model of mental health: one that begins with transforming children’s everyday experiences from conception onward.

Her mission is to educate everyone who raises, teaches, or supports children – from parents and carers to educators and policymakers – about the profound impact of words, behaviours, and emotional responses on a child’s developing sense of self. Just as importantly, she empowers children and teenagers to recognise how their actions and language shape the emotional wellbeing of others.

Prevention, she believes, is not just possible – it’s essential – and key to transformation the mental health landscape for future generations.

Why Book Tana?

Why Book Tana?

Whether speaking to educators, business leaders, students, or HR teams, Tana delivers bold, taboo-breaking talks that shift mindsets and spark meaningful conversations. Her style is grounded, compassionate, and utterly engaging.

💬 “A great public speaker for a thinking audience”

Wendy Garcarz, Multi Award-Winning Business Strategist and Coach

Speaker Testimonials

“Tana delivers a masterclass in public speaking on the tricky and often awkward (but much needed taboo-busting) subject of mental health. With her effortless style she truly grips you right from the start and holds the audience’s attention right till the very end. She’s brave. She’s bold. She goes there. She says things many wouldn’t have the guts, confidence, self-awareness, or intelligence to articulate. If you’re considering her as a speaker for your event, book her now. I’ve heard a lot of talks, and she’s world class.”

Andrea Gamson, Commercial Director Social Startups

“Tana Macpherson is a generous and gifted speaker. Her humour and level of gravitas elevates any room. She is able to share her personal stories of vulnerability and triumph in a way that teaches us what’s possible for us.”

Tricia Brouk International Award Winning Director and Founder of The Big Talk Academy

“This is a woman on a mission to change the world and you believe, after hearing her speak, that is not rhetoric, it is possible. Inspiring, thought provoking and yet warm and authentic. A great public speaker for a thinking audience.”

Wendy Garcarz, Multi Award-Winning Business Strategistest, Futerist and Coach

“Challenging the stigmas that surround this deep and often traumatic area is Tana’s forte and she works tirelessly to enable others to face up to their issues.”

“Her profound experiences and dynamic approach enable her to get to the heart of the very difficult issues we have to address in the modern world.”

“She captivates the audience and engenders trust through her passionate, honest and no-holds-barred recollection of her personal experiences.”

“I think Tana’s way of presenting mental wellbeing was incredibly moving and this helped to engage everyone and open our eyes to the real issues surrounding mental health.”

“I heard you speak on International Women’s Day and all I can say is Wow! From the moment you began to speak I was hanging onto your every word.”

“Everything was amazing: the way the session was organised, the way Tana delivered it and the fact that it was very engaging. Absolutely wonderful experience.”

Speaking Topics

Understanding the Mind

Unlocking human functionality

Monkey Wisdom

Making sense of the way we think, act, and achieve

Invisible

Why so many children don’t feel seen or heard

Breaking the Silence

Dismantling stigmas and building bridges of understanding

Masks, Mindset, and Monkeys

An insider’s look at mental health

Revolutionising Workplace Wellness

Strategies for
bolstering staff well-being

From Surviving to Thriving

Resilience in the face of adversity

Preventing the Mental Health Crisis

The power of education
from conception onwards