Denis McCarthy

Professional Background

Four decades of psychological practice

I have worked in private psychological practice in Fremantle since 1986. Over that time my work has included clinical psychology, occupational psychology, individual therapy, couples therapy, group work, psychological assessment, rehabilitation and the psychological dimensions of health and wellbeing.

My earliest psychotherapy training began in the 1970s in group therapy, psychodrama, humanistic psychology and related approaches. During the 1980s and 1990s my work increasingly incorporated behavioural and cognitive therapies, clinical hypnosis, biofeedback, neurofeedback and mindfulness-based approaches.

Over the years I have continued to broaden rather than narrow my clinical perspective. This allows treatment to be adapted to the person following careful assessment, rather than assuming that one therapeutic approach will suit everyone.

How I Work

A broad clinical background, applied thoughtfully

My clinical work draws upon a range of established psychological approaches. Depending on the person and the problem, this may include cognitive behavioural therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, compassion-focused therapy, emotion-focused work, relationship and couples therapy, biofeedback or neurofeedback.

The important question is not simply which therapeutic model is being used, but whether the treatment makes sense for the person, addresses the factors maintaining the problem and helps bring about useful change.