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PSYCHOLOGY FOR VETERANS

Psychology for Veterans | Gold Coast

Veterans may seek psychological support for many different reasons, including stress, anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties, chronic pain, grief, relationship concerns, adjustment to civilian life, or experiences connected with military service.

Psychological support is tailored to the individual, their current concerns, strengths, experiences and goals.

David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist in Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast

Psychological Support for Veterans

Military service can involve experiences, responsibilities, relationships and transitions that differ from many civilian settings. For some veterans, these experiences remain important strengths and sources of identity. For others, particular aspects of service, transition, health or life after service may contribute to psychological strain.

Psychological therapy can provide a confidential space to understand current concerns. Treatment is based on individual assessment and formulation.

Reasons Veterans May Seek Psychological Support

Veterans may seek psychological support for concerns such as:

  • Anxiety, persistent worry or panic
  • Low mood, reduced motivation or emotional withdrawal
  • Sleep difficulties, fatigue or nightmares
  • Adjustment to civilian life, retirement or changes in role and identity
  • Grief, loss or relationship difficulties
  • Chronic pain, injury or changes in physical health
  • Stress related to work, family, finances or caring responsibilities
  • Distressing memories or trauma-related symptoms, where present

These concerns can occur with or without a formal mental health diagnosis.

How Psychological Therapy May Help

Psychological therapy for veterans is individualised to understand the specific patterns affecting their wellbeing, relationships and functioning.

Stress, Anxiety and Mood

Therapy may help identify patterns of worry, avoidance, withdrawal, self-criticism or low motivation and develop practical ways of responding.

Adjustment, Identity and Purpose

Support may focus on adapting to changes in role, reconnecting with personal values and building a meaningful life alongside difficult thoughts or feelings.

Relationships, Grief and Loss

Therapy can provide space to work through grief, relationship strain, family changes, loneliness or difficulties reconnecting after periods of separation or transition.

Sleep, Pain and Physical Health

Psychological strategies may support adjustment to chronic pain, injury, health changes, fatigue and sleep difficulties alongside appropriate medical care.

Service-Related Experiences

Where distress is connected to difficult or traumatic experiences, therapy can be adapted to the person’s readiness, goals and preferences. Trauma-focused treatment is used when clinically appropriate.

Related Areas of Psychological Support

These topic hubs provide more detailed information about specific concerns. They remain the primary pages for condition-specific services and educational resources.

Explore psychology services and educational resources for anxiety, panic, OCD, social anxiety and related concerns.

Explore support and educational information relating to depression, bipolar disorder, mood changes and emotional wellbeing.

Explore trauma, PTSD, complex PTSD and trauma-informed psychological support.

Explore psychology services and educational resources for insomnia, sleep difficulties and healthy sleep.

Explore support and educational resources relating to grief, loss, life transitions and adjustment.

What Psychological Support May Help You Work Towards

Depending on your concerns and goals, therapy may help you work towards:

  • Better understanding of stress, emotions and behaviour patterns
  • More flexible ways of responding to difficult thoughts or memories
  • Improved sleep, routines and day-to-day functioning
  • Greater confidence in relationships and communication
  • Adjustment to civilian life, health changes or retirement
  • Re-engagement with meaningful activities, roles and personal values

Psychology for Veterans on the Gold Coast and via Telehealth

Psychology appointments are available in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast or via secure telehealth anywhere in Australia.

If you are seeking psychology under Department of Veterans’ Affairs funding arrangements, the separate DVA Psychology page explains Veteran Card coverage, referrals, treatment cycles, fees and how to arrange a DVA-funded appointment.

This page focuses on psychological support for veterans as a population. The DVA Psychology page focuses specifically on funding, referral and access arrangements.

Related Resources

These links provide further information about therapy approaches, DVA-funded psychology and current appointment availability.

Read about Veteran Card coverage, referrals, treatment cycles, fees and arranging DVA-funded psychology.

Explore evidence-based psychological approaches used in clinical practice.

View current availability, appointment types and funding information.

References

  1. Wadham, B., Andrewartha, L., Lawn, S., Onur, I., & Edney, L. C. (2024). A scoping review of interventions targeting the mental health of Australian veterans. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(6), 796. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060796

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about psychology for veterans.

Do veterans need to have PTSD to see a psychologist?

No. Veterans may seek support for anxiety, mood, sleep, pain, relationships, grief, adjustment, stress or many other concerns. Therapy is based on the individual’s needs rather than an assumption that military service has caused PTSD.

Can psychology help with adjustment to civilian life?

Yes. Therapy may help with changes in identity, routine, relationships, employment, purpose and expectations during or after transition from military service.

Can I see a psychologist for concerns that are not related to military service?

Yes. Veterans can seek psychological support for concerns from any area of life. Therapy does not need to focus on military experiences unless they are relevant to your current needs and goals.

Where can I find information about DVA-funded psychology?

The separate DVA Psychology page explains Veteran Card coverage, referrals, treatment cycles, fees and how to arrange a DVA-funded psychology appointment.

Is telehealth available?

Yes. Therapy is available in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast or via secure telehealth anywhere in Australia.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Psychology appointments for veterans are available in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast and via secure telehealth across Australia.

For current availability, appointment types and funding information, visit the Appointment Availability page, or book online when you are ready.

This practice is not a crisis service.

If you require immediate assistance, call 000. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

© 2021–2026 Hennessy Clinical Psychology. All rights reserved.