David Mackay
Psychologist in New Farm, Brisbane
David Mackay - Psychologist
MPsych (Org) BPsych (Hons) MAPS
David is the most recent addition to our team and for that reason has current availability. He sees individuals and couples; both for face to face and Telehealth (videocall/phone) consults. David is an experienced psychologist (and formerly a tradie!) who works with adults and kids/teens from 10+. David works with couple/relationship issues, and with individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, panic, depression, low motivation, addiction, and adjustment disorder. As well as these, David has studied in the area of organisational psychology, and offers career coaching for those looking to change or advance their careers.
Trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, David is a sensitive and insightful therapist, able to understand and help with a range of relationship dynamics. David has expertise in working with a diversity of couples / relationships across the life span, inclusive of traditional couples and an array of alternative relationships.
As a therapist, David is understanding and non-judgemental. He uses a person-centred approach to therapy and is committed to finding the best therapy for each individual. David is highly capable in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), EMDR therapy for trauma, and Motivational Interviewing (MI). He holds the belief that each and every person is unique and requires a personally tailored approach to support their personal growth.
At Lighthouse Relationships we sometimes jokingly refer to David as ‘the Tradie’s Psychologist’. As a licensed Roof Plumber who has worked a range of types of sites - and supervised his own apprentice - David has an excellent working knowledge of the construction industry from the inside. David has significant insight into workplace pressures and stresses in a range of industries and situations, and he is gifted at making people feel at home from the very first session with him as a psychologist. This background has been one of the driving factors in David wanting to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health concerns for those working in construction and blue-collar occupations.
David has significant experience with diverse groups, and believes that everybody should both have access to therapy and feel comfortable with their therapist. He has worked with people experiencing disabilities, and enjoys working with people identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ communities. David brings an understanding of the potentially traumatic effects of stigma (for example; discrimination, prejudice, workplace bullying) and its numerous contextual manifestations in the lives of a range of clients. This includes lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. David always seeks to understand people’s unique circumstances and is sensitive to each individual’s needs.
As noted above, in his relationship counselling David has supported a large range of clients, including those in traditional and non-traditional relationships e.g. polyamorous, non-monogamous, open relationships. David is aware of the unique pressures that alternative lifestyles can bring to bear on individuals and relationships and is able to support the honest, open communication needed with sensitivity, skill, compassion and insight.
David enjoys camping, travelling and keeping up his fitness with calisthenics - as well as having an appreciation for live comedy, cabaret and drag shows.