Welcome!

Hi! My name is Dr Denholm Adventure-Heart. I'm a Brisbane-based Australian Psychologist, Scientist (with expertise in lucid dreaming and meditation), and Professional Speaker. I am also a life-long student of Zen, and I am dedicated to doing as much good in this world as I can for the benefit of us all. If you are seeking psychological support, want to resolve problems in your life, want help clarifying and achieving your goals, wish to optimise your self-development, or if you're simply feeling stuck, I can help. I offer one-on-one adult psychology sessions via telehealth (Zoom or phone) to people all across Australia. To find out more about how I can help, please continue...

Dr Denholm Adventure-Heart at TEDxHSGr, St Gallen, Switzerland (May 2019).

Mental Health Support. As a Psychologist, I can provide tailored, evidence-based psychological therapy for a wide range of mental health problems. I can assist people with trauma-related disorders (e.g. PTSD), people seeking to explore neurodivergence (e.g. ADHD and ASD), and people suffering from anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties like conflict and loneliness, and many other (often complex) life challenges. I can also help you maintain and optimise your mental health during times of stress, such as when you're navigating a major life change, or working hard to achieve a valued outcome.

Direction and Meaning. I have a deep appreciation for science, art, music, philosophy and spirituality. I can help you to cultivate a more meaningful and fulfilling life. This often involves strategies to identify and harness your own core values and strengths, express your unique inner gifts to yourself and the world around you, and to learn how to more effectively and gracefully move towards understanding and compassion for yourself and others. I can also help you explore existential and philosophical questions related to purpose and meaning in life.

Psychedelic Integration. I am currently the Brisbane Chapter Lead for the Australian Psychedelic Society (APS). Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an area of special interest for me. I can help you make sense of and integrate significant experiences you have already had, and direct you to evidence-based information about harm minimisation practices. In the future, I'll be exploring avenues to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy in government-approved clinical trials. However, I do not, and cannot, provide psychedelic-assisted therapy at this time (please don't ask me for this, thank you!).

How I Can Help

APS Event Image (New Farm Park February 2024).jpg

Lucid Dreaming Q&A for the Australian Psychedelic Society (APS) Brisbane Chapter, QLD, Australia

Why work with me?

Having a strong, open, and trusting therapeutic alliance with a psychologist is a well-researched predictor of successful therapeutic outcomes. If you are interested in working with me as a psychologist, please watch the video below - you'll hear an overview of my qualifications and experience, but more importantly, you'll get a sense of who I am and why I love what I do. For the same reason, I encourage you to explore the rest of my website (e.g. watch my TEDx Talk, check out my scientific research page, etc.) before you reach out to me. Ultimately, if you feel that I am not the right psychologist for you, I would hope that you will do what feels right for you - including if that involves seeking an alternative psychologist. There are many ways to do this, such as by searching the official Australian Psychological Society (APS) Find a Psychologist page, by speaking to your GP, or by doing research on the internet. Lifeline is always available 24/7 if you are in need of immediate support (Phone: 131114), and you can always call 000 in an emergency for help in Australia.

Nick Sesh (left) interviewing Dr Denholm Adventure-Heart (right) for the Selfseeker Psychedelic Conference, Brisbane, Australia (March 2024).

Qualifications and Experience:

Registered Psychologist (General Registration with AHPRA: PSY0002596447)
Master of Clinical Psychology (University of Queensland)
PhD in Psychology (University of Adelaide)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) (University of Adelaide)
Diploma of Counselling (AIPC)
Volunteer for Lifeline Australia
Former Visiting Research Fellow (VRF) at the University of Adelaide
Chapter Lead for the Australian Psychedelic Society (APS) - Brisbane Chapter.

I’ve gained international recognition for my scientific research on lucid dreaming, meditation, and connectedness to humanity and nature. I’ve worked with people in a wide range of contexts including private practice, volunteering with Lifeline Australia, guest lecturing at the University of Adelaide, and my workshops and other public events. I am constantly learning and improving my abilities to help others, and I draw upon a strong foundation of scientific research skills to find solutions when I encounter novel problems for myself and others.

How to start:

The first step is to book an initial 50-minute intake session. This session covers the basics, such as getting to know each other, gaining an overview of your reason/s for seeking help, contracting, and answering any questions you may have. I strive to complete intake sessions efficiently, so that we can move on to carefully assessing the root cause of your problem through a combination of clinical interview and psychological assessment measures (which I'll share with you). Then, once we have a shared understanding of the cause of your problem and what's keeping it going (these are called "perpetuating factors"), we'll explore a range of evidence-based options for therapy. This leads to developing and implementing a plan that feels right for you, tracking progress over time, and making adjustments as needed.

I use an integrative approach, which means that I use a range of psychological theories and techniques to fit your unique needs and preferences. This includes Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person-Centred Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focussed Therapy. Some people prefer therapy to be highly structured, whereas others prefer a more fluid approach. I can accommodate both - the service I provide is tailored to you.

You can expect to feel deeply heard and empathised with. You can expect to be treated with unconditional positive regard at all times. I may provide suggestions and insights, but I won't tell you what to do; I'll always honour your own preferences and decisions. If you work with me, I will be your personal ally, dedicated to helping you live a balanced, healthy, and meaningful life.

Sessions and Fees:

If you are interested in working with me, please complete the New Client Information Form below. I will usually reply within 24 hours (except when travelling) with details about how to book your first session. Sessions are available to people within Australia via either Zoom or telephone (your preference).

My full rate is the recommended rate of the Australian Psychological Society: $311 per 50 minute session.

My concession rate is $200 per 50-minute session.

Mental Health Treatment Plans (MHTP): If you set up a MHTP with your GP, you will be able to claim a Medicare rebate of $96.65 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year. Your GP can email your MHTP to me directly here, or email it to you first.

Please note that you must be:

18 years or older
Not actively experiencing psychosis
Mild-moderate level of mental health needs
Not seeking assistance with any legal matters
Not seeking assistance with work cover or insurance claims
An Australian resident

Please also note that I do not offer couples therapy, in-depth formal psychological assessments for diagnosing ADHD and ASD (although I do of course offer therapy for neurodivergent people and have a particular interest in this area), or child psychological services.

If you are interested in working with me, please fill out the following form and I will reply to you soon. You can do this either before or after setting up a MHTP with your GP. You can also see me privately (without a MHTP) but will not be able to claim Medicare rebates if you do this.