Dr Denise Robertson

Clinical Psychologist

Practitioner, Cancer Wellbeing Centre

“Change is inevitable, Growth Is optional”

Currently on leave

Days in clinic: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and a monthly Saturday

I enjoy working with people from all walks of life. My approach is client focused and compassionate, with an emphasis on working with people’s strengths and values, towards their goals. I have 30 years clinical experience working in private practice since 2007 and before this in many different mental health sectors including hospital-based settings, in the community and in educational/academic settings. I have experience in working with teens, young adults and across the life span. More recently, I have a special interest in psycho-oncology and in supporting families which was motivated by my own lived experiences. My PhD topic was around understanding the experience and designing support to parents who had a child hospitalized with an early onset psychosis. I love animals and being in natural settings including my own permaculture garden.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

• Primary care and prevention, and treatment especially with younger people experiencing severe anxiety and depression and psychotic disorders, and chronic health issues.
• Psych oncology. Supporting people from all stages in cancer survivorship and supporting families and carers. I have worked recently with the Cancer Council of Qld. In the counselling service.
• Positive and values based psychological approaches such as ACT and Compassion focussed therapy, and existential therapy, mindfulness CBT.
• Extensive experience and training in CBT and other approaches such as couples and family work.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

PhD in Clinical Psychology Griffith University 2008

BA Hons Psychology UQ 1992

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I am heavily involved in my local community in North Brisbane, around social justice issues (affordable accommodation and homelessness), and climate action.  I am an active member of the Newly formed North Brisbane Community Voices community action group which formed from community volunteers supporting the community independent candidate for both Federal and council campaigns. I volunteer and work to raise awareness around these issues and impacts on health and well-being with my fellow community members. I volunteer at and support the local community garden. My community volunteering and these relationships brings me great personal satisfaction. I keep careful boundaries though around my psychological practice and my community work.