Dr Victoria Wilson is a RANZCP Rural Champion. Born and raised in Adelaide, Dr Victoria Wilson completed her undergraduate degree in International Studies, Graduate Diploma in Psychology and Postgraduate Medicine at Flinders University, South Australia. After completing Stage 1 and 2 of Psychiatry Training in Adelaide, Dr Wilson needed to explore new opportunities in Alice Springs to undertake her preferred pathway of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 

Did you always know you wanted to become a doctor? Tell us how this came to be.

I initially wanted to be a Psychologist, however during my undergraduate studies, I became interested in the concepts of psychiatry and psychodynamics. This is when I decided to study medicine, specifically to specialise in psychiatry.

What inspired you to choose psychiatry as a specialisation?

I was very interested in psychodynamic therapy, and the effect one’s childhood has on a person. I read some books on the topic, specifically The Boy who was raised as a Dog, by Dr Bruce Perry. This motivated me to specialise in Child Psychiatry.

What’s your medium-term career vision look like? Where do you see yourself in three years?

I hope to be still working in the Child and Youth team in Alice Springs, while contributing to other projects and ideas, whether it be in town, or on a larger scale. I like collaborating with others to get great ideas off the ground. 

If you were talking with a RANZCP trainee or Fellow who was contemplating moving to a rural location, how would you convince them that it would be a great decision?

I would reassure them that it can be an incredibly rewarding and meaningful step in their career. Teams in rural settings are often highly supportive and collaborative, with a strong understanding of the realities of rural practice. Clients and families genuinely appreciate the commitment of those who choose to work in their community, which adds a strong sense of connection and gratitude to daily clinical work.

Rural services also tend to offer greater flexibility around leave, working hours, rotations and training requirements, recognising the importance of supporting and sustaining their workforce. This flexibility can create a healthier work/life balance and open doors to experiences that may not be as accessible in metropolitan areas.

For me, working rurally has provided opportunities that I might not have experienced elsewhere. Rural psychiatry is ideal for those who enjoy meaningful challenges, value strong teamwork, and want to feel that their contributions truly matter. It’s a pathway where you can thrive both professionally and personally.

Self-care is important for psychiatrists training and practising in a rural location. What’s your top three ways to look after your wellbeing?

1. Extracurricular activities. Find a way to keep your mind busy away from work, whether it is sports, social groups, or community projects. It can become very insular in a rural town if work is the only place you go to.
2. Get out of town (every so often)! Make sure you take holidays and travel, whether it be for leisure or conferences. A holiday can be a breath of fresh air when living in a rural location or small town. 
3. Stay connected. If you have moved to a rural location and have family or peers back in metro, stay in touch. Distance does not mean disconnected, make time to catch up and be in each other’s lives. 
   
   

The RANZCP Rural Psychiatry Training Pathways initiative, funded by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Psychiatry Workforce Program.