John Kearney
SYDNEY,NSW
Summary
Experienced Psychotherapist specializing in complex mental health assessments and treatments. Utilizes trauma-informed care and emotional resilience strategies to enhance client well-being through tailored, collaborative approaches. Provides critical incident support, brief and long-term treatments, and professional mentoring, fostering growth for clients and colleagues alike.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Psychotherapist & Clinical Consultant
Private Practice
01.1995 - Current
- Provision of specialist assessments and counselling/psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, couples and families experiencing a broad range of psychological and interpersonal challenges.
- Provide personalized, evidence-informed assessments and interventions for a broad range of psychological difficulties including anxiety, depression, complex trauma, grief and adjustment difficulties.
- Assessment of client needs by conducting initial intake interviews and administering diagnostic assessments.
- Assisting individuals to develop more effective coping strategies, resilience and emotional well-being.
- Build strong therapeutic relationships through collaborative, client-centred practice.
- Supported clients in managing occupational stress, burnout, and navigating significant life transitions, enhancing their coping mechanisms.
- Provide services through face-to-face, telephone and online consultations.
- Collaborate with GPs, psychiatrists and other health professionals for holistic client care.
- Provided crisis intervention and support during acute/critical situations.
- Maintained thorough clinical documentation of client progress and treatment outcomes to inform ongoing care and improve therapeutic effectiveness.
- Provided clinical supervision and mentoring to mental health professionals, fostering professional development and ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Provided training and support to peers/colleagues on clinical best practices.
- Participated in professional development activities including individual and peer supervision and attendance at relevant seminars and conferences.
- Gathered and evaluated key performance indicators to accurately assess clinical conditions.
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor
Long Bay Correctional Complex
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Delivered individual counselling and relapse prevention interventions to support client recovery and reduce relapse risk.
- Developed rehabilitation pathways tailored to individual client goals, enhancing engagement in recovery processes.
- Conducted comprehensive psychosocial assessments to identify client needs and inform treatment planning.
- Facilitated therapeutic group programs.
- Worked collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Project Manager – Big Brother Big Sister Program
YWCA Sydney
01.1999 - 11.2001
- Led mentoring program for vulnerable young people and families, enhancing support and guidance.
- Recruited, trained and supervised volunteer mentors.
- Developed strategic alliances with local organizations to broaden outreach efforts. with community organizations.
- Supported participants through significant personal and family challenges.
Earlier Clinical Positions
- Provided assessment, counselling, family intervention, crisis support, and multidisciplinary case management in senior counselling and case management roles.
Education
Diploma of Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy -
The Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (ICAPP)
Graduate Diploma in Psychology - Fourth Year
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Advanced Diploma of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy -
the Australian College of Psychotherapists (ACP)
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Skills
- Brief Intervention Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Clinical Risk Assessment
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Safety and risk assessments
- Critical Incident Support
- Therapeutic Program Design
- Remote counselling
- Relationship Counselling
- Workplace Mental Health
- Resilience training
- Employee Wellbeing
- Clinical Consultation
- Peer Supervision
- Team collaboration
- Clinical supervision
Core Competencies And Clinical Skills
- Workplace Mental Health
- Brief Interventions and longer-term Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychological Assessment
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Assessment and treatment of a broad range of psychological challenges including, anxiety and depression, grief and loss, adjustment difficulties, complex trauma, workplace stress and burnout
- Relationship Counselling
- Conflict Resolution
- Clinical Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
- Resilience Building
- Employee Wellbeing
- Online and telephone Counselling/Psychotherapy
- Critical Incident Support
- Clinical Supervision
- Professional Consultation
Professional Registration
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AASW)
- Member – Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
- Member – Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse (ANZATSA)
- Authorised Counsellor, Victims Services
- Board Member - The International Association of Forensic Psychotherapy (IAFP)
- Board Member - The Australian Association of Forensic Psychotherapy (AFPA)
Summary Of Experience
I am an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Clinical Consultant with more than 35 years of experience delivering psychological assessments, counselling and psychotherapy across private practice, correctional health, youth justice, alcohol and other drug services, and child and family mental health. I have expertise in supporting individuals, couples and families experiencing anxiety, depression, complex trauma, grief, relationship challenges, workplace stress, adjustment difficulties and complex life transitions. I am highly skilled at quickly establishing a therapeutic alliance and delivering effective, evidence-informed interventions and working collaboratively with clients to improve their coping, resilience, psychological wellbeing and functioning. I am experienced with face-to-face, telephone and online service delivery, clinical risk assessment, multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical supervision. I am committed to providing personalized, confidential, client-centred support that assists individuals to return to optimal personal, relational and workplace functioning.
Timeline
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor
Long Bay Correctional Complex
01.2002 - 01.2004
Project Manager – Big Brother Big Sister Program
YWCA Sydney
01.1999 - 11.2001
Psychotherapist & Clinical Consultant
Private Practice
01.1995 - Current
Earlier Clinical Positions
Diploma of Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy -
The Institute of Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (ICAPP)
Graduate Diploma in Psychology - Fourth Year
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
Advanced Diploma of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy -
the Australian College of Psychotherapists (ACP)
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of New South Wales (UNSW)