David Hennessy
Choosing a psychologist involves more than finding the right qualifications. It also involves finding someone whose manner, experience and approach feel workable for you.
David Hennessy is an AHPRA-endorsed Clinical Psychologist whose professional background spans counselling, hospital and community mental health, medical psychology, rehabilitation and private practice. He works collaboratively with adolescents and adults and aims to provide therapy that is respectful, practical, evidence-based and tailored to the person.
David’s pathway into psychology was shaped by both formal clinical training and a broad range of life experiences. His approach to therapy is evidence-based, collaborative, practical and tailored to the individual.
David completed postgraduate training in clinical psychology and maintains professional registration, clinical endorsement and memberships with Australia’s leading professional organisations.
David maintains these qualifications, registrations and professional memberships through ongoing education, professional development and adherence to national professional standards.
The University of Queensland
Griffith University
David’s professional experience spans counselling, acute psychiatric, residential rehabilitation, medical psychology, community mental health and private practice. Working across these settings has provided extensive experience supporting people through crisis, recovery, adjustment and longer-term psychological change.
David worked as a supervisor and trainer, and also as a volunteer counsellor with Lifeline for approximately eight years. This experience strengthened his skills in listening, crisis support, supervision, training and respectful human connection.
David has worked in acute psychiatric inpatient care and residential mental health settings. This included supporting people experiencing significant psychological distress, complex mental health concerns and challenges affecting safety, relationships and day-to-day functioning.
David’s experience includes medical psychology and community mental health case management. This work involved supporting people adjusting to illness, injury, disability, changing functioning and longer-term psychological or practical difficulties.
In private practice, David provides individualised psychological assessment and therapy for adolescents and adults. His work draws on evidence-based approaches while remaining responsive to each person’s circumstances, strengths, goals and preferences.
Throughout these roles, David has worked with people experiencing a wide range of psychological, emotional, behavioural and adjustment difficulties across different stages of life.
David’s pathway into psychology was shaped by practical work, parenting, counselling, formal study and experience across a range of mental health settings. It was not a direct or conventional career path, but each stage contributed to the grounded and practical approach he now brings to clinical psychology.
In his thirties, while raising three active boys as a sole parent, David volunteered as a counsellor with Lifeline. That experience strengthened a longstanding desire to help people and inspired him to return to university as a mature-aged student.
His pathway into psychology was not linear. It brought together practical trades experience, parenting, counselling, formal study and clinical work. This broader life experience helps David remain grounded, respectful and attentive to the real-world circumstances people bring into therapy.
David combines evidence-based treatment, clinical judgement, genuine collaboration and practical strategies that can be applied in everyday life.
Treatment is tailored to each person’s needs, strengths, goals and circumstances. Therapy aims not only to reduce symptoms but also to help people build understanding, confidence and skills that continue beyond the consulting room.
Outside psychology, David values time in nature, reading, learning, good coffee and meaningful conversation
These interests reflect a broader belief that wellbeing is supported not only through formal therapy, but also through connection, curiosity, reflection, purposeful activity and ordinary moments of restoration.
These are some common questions people ask when getting to know David and deciding whether his approach may be be the right fit.
David has worked across counselling, acute psychiatric inpatient services, residential mental health rehabilitation, medical psychology, community mental health and private clinical practice. Before becoming a psychologist, he also worked as a qualified tradesman. This combination of practical life experience and clinical training contributes to a grounded, evidence-based approach to therapy.
David provides psychology services for adolescents and adults. Therapy is tailored to each person’s needs, goals, strengths and circumstances using evidence-based psychological approaches.
David draws on evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based approaches, trauma-informed therapy and other interventions selected according to each person’s needs. Treatment is collaborative rather than following a single approach for everyone.
Yes. David has worked with people experiencing a broad range of psychological difficulties across hospital, community and private practice settings. His experience includes anxiety disorders, mood disorders, trauma, chronic pain, neurodiversity, adjustment to illness, psychosis and complex emotional difficulties.
David aims to provide therapy that is respectful, collaborative and practical. Sessions combine evidence-based psychological treatment with careful listening, clinical judgement and strategies that people can use in everyday life. Treatment is individualised rather than based on a one-size-fits-all model.
David’s career developed through experiences in skilled trades, counselling and mental health services, leading to postgraduate training in clinical psychology. His work continues to be guided by curiosity, lifelong learning and a genuine interest in helping people better understand themselves and navigate life’s challenges.
If you have other questions about David’s background, approach or the therapy process, please feel welcome to get in touch before making an appointment.
Seeking psychological support is a significant decision, but you do not need to have everything worked out before making an appointment. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, chronic pain, neurodiversity-related challenges or simply want support navigating life’s difficulties, help is available.
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Clinical Psychologist in Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast. Evidence-based psychology for adolescents and adults, with in-person appointments and Australia-wide telehealth.
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Trauma & PTSD
Neurodiversity
CBT
ACT
EMDR
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
This practice is not a crisis service.
If you require immediate assistance, call 000. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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