Hennessy Clinical Psychology

Hennessy Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, NDIS, DVA.

MPsych (Clin), BPsych (Hons I), MAPS FCCLP
David has worked in a range of mental health and physical health settings, including inpatient acute psychiatric and psychiatric residential rehabilitation, acute medical health psychology and physical rehabilitation, community mental health case management, and private practice. David also spent eight years with Lifeline across counselling, supervision, and training roles. David has worked in a range of mental health and physical health settings, including: inpatient acute psychiatric and psychiatric residential rehabilitation, acute medical health psychology and physical rehabilitation, community mental health case management, and private practice. David is experienced in working psychotherapeutically to assist clients experiencing:

Complex adult mental health presentations
Schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder​
Adjustment to physical/medical health issues​
Persistent pain
Trauma and complex trauma
Mood and anxiety disorders
Phobias
Obsessions and/or compulsions
Substance use and addiction
Grief and loss

19/02/2026

Free CPD Ideas for Psychologists in 2026
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Many psychologists feel increasing pressure around CPD. Time is limited. Workloads are real. Life is full. Yet reflective practice and ongoing learning remain central to ethical and effective care.

Free CPD does not mean low quality. Some of the most valuable professional development comes from structured reading, reflective journalling, peer discussion, supervision groups, and careful review of evidence-based literature.

In 2026, psychologists can meaningfully meet CPD requirements through:
• Structured reflective reading of peer-reviewed research
• Listening to psychology podcasts and documenting reflections
• Peer consultation groups
• Reviewing APS and PsyBA updates
• Re-engaging with foundational therapy texts
• Developing case formulation skills

Applied reflective practice is not about ticking boxes. It is about deepening clinical thinking and staying aligned with best practice. That benefits clients and it protects clinicians.

Psychology for adolescents and adults.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/free-cpd-ideas-psychologists-2026/

18/02/2026

Free CPD Ideas for Psychologists in Australia
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

Many of my articles begin the same way. A clinical question lingers after a session. A theory does not quite sit right. An assumption deserves closer examination.

Under the 2026 Psychology Board of Australia CPD requirements, psychologists complete 30 hours each year, including peer consultation and competency-aligned learning. Reflective reading, reviewing research, and writing structured reflections can form part of that process when clearly documented and linked to your scope of practice.

If you are looking for grounded, practical CPD ideas that connect research with real therapy, I have built a large collection of free articles to support thoughtful professional development.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/free-cpd-ideas-psychologists-2026/

17/02/2026

Maintaining a Balanced Narrative Takes Conscious Effort
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Most of us assume our thinking is neutral. It is not.

The mind is built to scan for problems. That ability has kept human beings safe for generations. Yet when that focus dominates, our internal narrative can slowly narrow. We notice what is wrong more than what is steady. We rehearse worries more than we recognise strengths.

Maintaining a balanced narrative means widening attention on purpose. It means deliberately including what is working, what is meaningful, what is supportive. Nature. Relationships. Health. Competence. Care.

This is not denial. It is balance.

Without conscious effort, the nervous system can remain more activated than it needs to be. Over time that costs energy. With balance, however, people often feel steadier and clearer.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/balanced-internal-narrative-conscious-effort/

17/02/2026

Gender Differences in Thought and Emotion
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Men and women often appear to think and feel differently. Many people assume those differences must be biological. However, the evidence tells a more balanced story.

Research shows there are small, distinct biological influences in areas such as hormone activity and brain activation. Yet those differences are modest. Culture, upbringing, and social learning shape emotional expression just as strongly, and often more so.

In therapy, I regularly see that individual personality, life experience, and values matter far more than gender stereotypes. Each person brings their own emotional style and way of thinking. That uniqueness deserves respect.

Understanding the overlap between men and women helps reduce conflict and increase empathy. We are more similar than different.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/gender-differences-in-thought-and-emotion/

16/02/2026

Psychologist for NDIS Participants
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Supporting NDIS participants with complex mental health and psychosocial disability requires clarity, compassion, and evidence-based care.

At Hennessy Clinical Psychology, I work alongside participants, families, support workers and coordinators to build functional capacity, strengthen emotional regulation, and improve everyday participation.

Psychological assessment and therapy can help clarify patterns, reduce distress, and translate insight into practical strategies that improve daily living skills, relationships and independence.

My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative and grounded in evidence-based practice. I focus on sustainable skill development so that gains extend beyond the therapy room.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia

The easiest way to make an appointment is on our website:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/psychologist-for-ndis-participants/

15/02/2026

Mindful Monday
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

In clinical practice, mindfulness is often misunderstood as relaxation or thought suppression. In reality, it is attentional training. It strengthens the capacity to observe internal experience without immediate reaction.

Evidence shows that mindfulness-based interventions support relapse prevention in depression, reduce anxiety symptoms, and improve autonomic flexibility. However, the mechanism is simple. Notice. Return. Repeat.

Over time, this repeated process builds psychological flexibility. It widens the gap between stimulus and response. That widening supports wiser decision-making in both personal and professional life.

Psychology for adolescents and adults.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/mindful-monday/

14/02/2026

Nature and Mental Health

By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Spending time in nature supports mental health by calming the nervous system, reducing stress, and supporting emotional regulation.

Listening to natural sounds, looking at natural environments, and intentionally engaging with what we see, hear, and feel can help the autonomic nervous system settle.

Nature is not a luxury.
It is part of sustainable mental health care.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia

The easiest way to make an appointment is on our website:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature/





14/02/2026

Check out my large collection of articles for Free CPD ideas
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

If you are an Australian psychologist looking for practical, evidence-based CPD ideas aligned with 2026 Psychology Board of Australia requirements, I have created a growing collection of free articles grounded in reflective practice and clinical experience.

Many of these posts begin with real clinical questions. What does the evidence say about assumptions commonly or privately held in clinical practice? How does theory translate into moment-to-moment therapy? How can we align research, competence, and ethical responsibility?

Structured reading, evidence review, and documented reflection can contribute meaningfully to continuing professional development when aligned with your learning plan and scope of practice.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further : https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/free-cpd-ideas-psychologists-2026/
All Articles: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/articles/

13/02/2026

Free CPD Ideas for Psychologists: Reflective Practice and 2026 CPD Rules
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

Many of the most meaningful CPD hours begin quietly. A question arises after a session. An assumption is examined. A theory is revisited. Evidence is reviewed.

Under the 2026 Psychology Board of Australia requirements, psychologists complete 30 hours of continuing professional development each year, including peer consultation and structured learning aligned with the Professional Competencies for Psychologists.

Research, structured reading, reflective writing, and thoughtful integration of evidence into clinical work can count toward CPD when aligned with your learning plan and scope of practice.

Often, the most valuable CPD begins with thoughtful questions noticed, held, and explored with care.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/free-cpd-ideas-psychologists-2026/

12/02/2026

What Is Reflective Practice and Why Is It Important for Therapists?
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

Reflective practice is one of the quiet foundations of ethical and effective therapy. It is how therapists learn from experience, strengthen judgement, and remain adaptable across different people and situations. In psychology, it sits at the heart of the scientist practitioner model, where research evidence, clinical expertise, and individual context are thoughtfully integrated.

Reflective practice helps therapists pause and ask important questions. What helped? What did not? What assumptions may have shaped my response? Over time, this process supports the evolution of the therapist. It makes work steadier, safer, and more human.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is online: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/
Read further: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/reflective-practice-therapists-australia/

11/02/2026

Who, What, Where
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD.

You do not need to be complex to seek support. Many people come to therapy because life feels difficult to navigate, not because something is “wrong” with them.

I work with adolescents and adults across general and complex mental health concerns. This includes everyday stress and adjustment, as well as more complex presentations. Therapy is evidence based, trauma informed, and shaped around the person rather than a label.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia

The easiest way to make an appointment is online:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/who-what-where-david-hennessy-clinical-psychologist/

10/02/2026

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices for Wellbeing
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD

Mindfulness and self-compassion are evidence-based psychological skills that support emotional regulation, resilience, and wellbeing.

In clinical psychology, mindfulness involves intentionally noticing thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations as they arise. Self-compassion then shapes how we respond to that experience, particularly during times of stress, self-criticism, or emotional pain.

Research consistently shows that these practices are associated with reduced anxiety and distress, alongside improved psychological wellbeing. Importantly, they are not quick fixes. Instead, they are skills that tend to develop gradually through consistent, realistic practice.

For many people, short and repeatable practices are more sustainable than idealised routines. This makes mindfulness and self-compassion relevant for everyday life, not just therapy rooms.

Local therapy in Varsity Lakes
Telehealth available anywhere in Australia
The easiest way to make an appointment is on our website:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/contact/

Read further:
https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/mindfulness-self-compassion-practices-wellbeing/

Address

155 Varsity Parade
Varsity Lakes, QLD
4227

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm

Telephone

+61414277596

Website

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