Football Daily Brentford psychologist Michael Caulfield and his bench
Oct 13, 2025
Michael Caulfield, a pioneer in sports psychology at Brentford FC, created 'Michael's bench' initiative for players to openly discuss mental health. Professional footballer Fabio Carvalho shares his journey, emphasizing faith and stepping away from social media to foster personal growth. They explore how informal chats on the benches cultivate trust and safety, allowing players to express struggles without judgment. The success of the benches has led to expansion in the community, promoting wider conversations about mental health.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bench Became An Unplanned Office
- Michael bought a teak bench and varnished it himself to create a private outdoor office for players to sit and talk.
- The bench opened a new way of working with young players like Fabio who wouldn't open up inside a building.
Player Finds Ease Outside Walls
- Fabio recalled feeling at ease talking outside rather than inside four walls.
- He valued that conversations on the bench didn't have to be about football and felt non-judged.
Safety As The Core Effect
- Players described the bench's main quality in one word: safe.
- Michael sees providing a safe space as his core contribution to players' wellbeing.