Free CPD Ideas: Psychology Questions That Contribute to My CPD and May Support Yours
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast, QLD
Free CPD Ideas: Psychology Questions That Contribute to My CPD and May Support Yours
Many psychologists will recognise this pattern. It is evening. The pace has slowed. The mind wanders back over the day’s sessions, a passage from a book, a supervision conversation, or a moment of uncertainty in practice. A question forms. Not a polished academic question, but a real one. Practical. Theoretical. Sometimes messy.
These are the questions I want to share with you.
They arise from imagination, reflective practice, day-to-day clinical work, and reading. This process often happens in the evening when I’m relaxing, and the posts are often unrefined and not cleanly edited. They are, however, usually rich with meaning. They sit at the intersection of lived clinical experience and the evidence base that supports psychological theory and therapeutic practice.
I then look up, review, and summarise the available evidence that relates to these questions. This process contributes directly to my continuing professional development (CPD) and may support yours, too.
Psychology Questions as the Starting Point for CPD
- Why does this intervention work well for one person and not another?
- How does this theory translate into moment-to-moment therapeutic work?
- What does the evidence say about assumptions commonly or privately held in clinical practice?
- How can this concept be explained more clearly, accurately, and responsibly?
As outlined in the article What Is Reflective Practice and Why Is It Important for Therapists? Structured reflection is central to ethical and effective psychological work and to the ongoing professional evolution of the therapist.
2026 CPD Requirements for Australian Psychologists
From 1 December 2025 onward, psychologists in Australia practise under the updated Professional competencies for psychologists [1].
Under the Psychology Board of Australia CPD Registration Standard [3], psychologists must:
- Complete 30 hours of CPD annually from 1 December to 30 November.
- Include at least 10 hours of peer consultation or supervision.
- Complete 20 hours of other CPD activities aligned with a documented learning plan.
- Maintain a CPD portfolio including reflective documentation.
The updated framework emphasises reflection, reflexivity, ethical practice, and ongoing professional growth [1][2]. Research, structured reading, evidence review, and written reflection can count within the 20 hours of other CPD activities when aligned with competencies and scope of practice [3].
How Research and Reflective Learning Align With PsyBA CPD Framework
Research and reflective learning can count as CPD when they are:
✔ Planned within your annual learning plan
✔ Relevant to your scope of practice
✔ Evidence-based and grounded in peer-reviewed research or recognised guidelines
✔ Accompanied by written reflection
✔ Linked to the Professional Competencies for Psychologists
Examples include:
- Reviewing journal articles relevant to your clinical work
- Summarising therapeutic evidence for a presentation or post
- Writing structured reflections after peer consultation
- Comparing therapeutic models to refine formulation skills
- Developing evidence-informed educational content
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of research activities can count toward CPD in 2026?
Structured reading of peer-reviewed journal articles, reviewing clinical guidelines, and summarising evidence can count when aligned with your learning plan and documented reflection.
Does informal reflection count as CPD?
Reflection must be documented and linked to the Professional Competencies for Psychologists to qualify as CPD.
How many hours of peer consultation are required?
At least 10 hours annually within each CPD cycle [3].
Can writing educational psychology posts count toward CPD?
Yes, when grounded in evidence, aligned with your learning plan, relevant to scope of practice, and accompanied by reflective documentation.
Why I Am Sharing This Process
Psychology is not static. Neither are psychologists, clients, or people in general.
Often, the most valuable CPD begins with thoughtful questions noticed, held, and explored with care.
If you would like more prompts and reading ideas, you can find a large collection of free articles for CPD ideas on my website: https://hennessyclinicalpsychology.com/articles/
Psychology for adolescents and adults.
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References
[1] Psychology Board of Australia. (2025). Professional competencies for psychologists (effective 1 December 2025). Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Professional-practice-standards/Professional-competencies-for-psychologists.aspx
[2] Psychology Board of Australia. (2025, December 1). Psychologists to maintain high standards under new requirements. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/News/2025-12-01-Psychologists-Code-of-conduct.aspx
[3] Psychology Board of Australia. (n.d.). Continuing professional development (CPD) registration standard. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration/Continuing-Professional-Development.aspx
[4] Australian Psychological Society. (2025). Planning your CPD. https://psychology.org.au/insights/planning-your-cpd
