The University of Newcastle’s Psychology Clinic plays a vital role in both community support and student training, offering essential services while allowing postgraduate students to gain valuable practical experience. Established in 1986, the clinic has become an integral part of the university’s psychology program, providing students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.
Hannah Beamish, a 30-year-old Master’s of Clinical Psychology student, works at the clinic one day a week. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology obtained nine years ago, she expressed her commitment to helping others. “It’s what I originally had a passion for; I really wanted to help people,” she stated. During her time at the clinic, Beamish and her fellow students see between two and five clients each day, contributing significantly to the clinic’s outreach.
Coinciding with Psychology Week, which runs from September 29 to October 5, Beamish emphasized the importance of providing support to those in need. “When they don’t feel they have anyone else to talk to, it’s about being that kind of support person,” she explained. This initiative not only assists clients but enriches the students’ learning experiences as well.
All students at the clinic are either provisionally or fully registered psychologists undergoing their postgraduate training, under the supervision of experienced psychologists. The affordability of the clinic’s services is a crucial factor, particularly for clients facing financial challenges. “Psychology is very expensive generally. By being able to provide a subsidised or cheaper service, it just feels like we’re helping the community,” Beamish noted.
In 2024, the clinic served 286 clients, providing a total of 2,051 appointments. The commitment to affordable care is complemented by the students’ desire to learn from their experiences. Beamish expressed gratitude for the trust clients place in them, stating, “It makes me feel really good that people trust us to come and use the service knowing we’re students.”
The University of Newcastle is undergoing changes, including plans to restructure its School of Psychological Sciences, which may impact the psychology program. Despite this, clinic director and Associate Professor Sean Halpin remains dedicated to advancing the training of future psychologists. “At the School of Psychological Sciences, we’re very committed to maintaining that excellence in training,” he said.
The Psychology Clinic continues to provide a range of support services, which include individual therapy, assessments, and evidence-based psychological interventions tailored for specific client groups. Halpin highlighted the long-standing positive impact of the clinic, stating, “It’s a wonderful initiative that the School of Psychological Sciences has offered for almost 40 years.”
Through its dual role of community service and student training, the University of Newcastle’s Psychology Clinic exemplifies the mutual benefits that arise when educational institutions engage directly with their communities. This model not only fosters the next generation of skilled professionals but also ensures that essential psychological support remains accessible to those who need it most.
