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Illustration of David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist, seated in a therapy room, representing a calm, trauma-informed approach to understanding pain and the autonomic nervous system.
Therapy Approaches & Psychological Skills

How the Autonomic Nervous System Responds to Pain

Pain is shaped not only by the body, but by how the nervous system evaluates threat and safety. This article explains how the autonomic nervous system responds to pain and how psychology can support pain management as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

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David the Psychologist, a bald clinical psychologist wearing a colourful paisley shirt, seated calmly in a therapy room at Hennessy Clinical Psychology, reflecting on attachment wounds and emotional safety. Subtle text reads: David the Psychologist @hennessyclinicalpsychology
Trauma & Attachment

What Are Attachment Wounds?

Attachment wounds describe how early relational experiences shape emotional regulation, adult relationships, and nervous system responses. This article offers a clear, compassionate, evidence-based explanation of what attachment wounds are and how healing is possible.

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Illustration of David the Psychologist seated in his Varsity Lakes clinic with open hands, representing a firm but fair approach to boundaries and relationships. David the Psychologist @hennessyclinicalpsychology
Applied Psychology for Everyday Life

Firm but Fair: A Healthy Guideline for All Relationships

Firm but fair is a simple yet powerful principle for healthier relationships. Being too nice can lead to resentment, while being not nice enough can damage trust. This post explores a balanced and realistic middle path that supports emotional safety, boundaries, and compassion across everyday relationships.

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Illustration of David Hennessy, a bald male clinical psychologist wearing a colourful paisley shirt, seated calmly in his consulting room at Hennessy Clinical Psychology, representing trauma informed therapy through a safe, thoughtful, and collaborative therapeutic presence.
Trauma-Informed Care and Safety

What Is Trauma Informed Therapy?

trauma informed therapy, trauma informed care, trauma and mental health, psychological safety, nervous system regulation, trauma focused therapy, complex trauma, post traumatic stress, emotional regulation, evidence based therapy, clinical psychology, mental health support, therapeutic relationship, counselling and psychology

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A rooster standing in long grass with white text overlay that reads Context and prominent popular culture sway perception. David asks Why did you not cross the road. The chicken responds with Firstly I am not a chicken. The image illustrates how perception is shaped by context and personal interpretation.
Thoughts Feelings Behaviours

Context And Prominent Popular Culture influence Perception

We all like to believe we see the world objectively, but our brains are constantly shaping personal stories that help us make sense of each moment. This post explores how context and popular culture influence perception and how awareness of this supports psychological wellbeing.

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A wide landscape view from a mountain peak showing blue sky, scattered clouds, and a calm ocean with distant islands, reflecting a sense of balance and spaciousness.
Applied Psychology for Everyday Life

How Happy Is the Typical Person?

People often wonder whether others are happier or more settled than them. This gentle, evidence informed reflection explores how most adults sit in a middle range of happiness, moving between distress and contentment. It introduces radical acceptance and simple daily actions that help cultivate a grounded, sustainable sense of balance.

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Cartoon David the Psychologist sits cross legged with eyes closed in a calm mindful pose, representing the connection between Buddhist teachings and modern psychological practices.
Mindfulness, Acceptance, Compassion

Buddhist Teachings and Their Influence on Modern Psychology

This post introduces Buddhist teachings and their ongoing relevance for modern psychology. It offers a calm overview of mindfulness, compassion, impermanence, and present moment awareness, and explains how these ideas align with contemporary therapeutic approaches.

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