1300 325 414

QPS SELF-REFER PSYCHOLOGIST BRISBANE

Confidential Psychology Support for QPS Members in Stafford, Brisbane

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Confidential Psychology Through the QPS SelfRefer Program

The job asks a lot of you.

The incidents most people never witness. The split-second decisions. Shift work. Court appearances. Family pressures. The cumulative weight of responsibility.

Even the most capable officers and staff can reach a point where they need support.

If you’re a current Queensland Police Service (QPS) employee or volunteer, including State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) members, you can access confidential psychology through the QPS SelfRefer Program.

At Brisbane Centre for Psychology, we provide evidence-based, confidential psychological support for QPS SelfRefer clients from our Stafford practice and via secure telehealth. Our psychologists regularly support people working in high-pressure, trauma-exposed professions, providing a respectful, confidential space to talk. You can talk about anything that’s affecting you, whether it is work-related, personal, or a combination of both.

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How We Can Support You

Why QPS Members Choose Brisbane Centre for Psychology

Seeking support can feel like a big step, especially when you work in a profession where resilience is expected every day. At Brisbane Centre for Psychology, we’ve created an environment where Queensland Police Service members can access confidential, evidence-based care from psychologists who understand the demands of high-pressure occupations.

  • Established Brisbane private practice
  • More than a dozen clinical and registered psychologists
  • Two Stafford locations
  • Telehealth appointments available
  • Experienced in supporting first responders, veterans and defence families
  • Flexible appointment times around shift work
  • No GP referral required for QPS SelfRefer

Support Built Around the Realities of Police Work

We work with police officers, protective services staff, watchhouse staff and support personnel who are carrying the effects of operational stress, repeated exposure to traumatic incidents, or the general grind of a demanding job on top of everyday life.

Many of our psychologists regularly work with:

  • Queensland Police Service members 
  • Australian Defence Force personnel 
  • Veterans 
  • First responders 
  • Emergency service workers 

We understand the unique pressures that can come with repeated exposure to trauma, operational stress, shift work and the demands these careers place on relationships, sleep and overall wellbeing.

What the QPS SelfRefer Program Gives You

SelfRefer isn’t limited to work-related concerns. Whether you’re experiencing operational stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, grief, family pressures or simply want support before things become overwhelming, the program is available for both personal and work-related concerns.

  • Up to six sessions per financial year (1 July – 30 June), fully funded; there is no cost to you.
  • A further 3 sessions if you need them. Your psychologist can request this on your behalf, de-identified, so you don’t have to ask QPS directly.
  • No GP referral and no Mental Health Treatment Plan required to get started.
  • A program run independently of QPS. Your details aren’t shared, and appointments are entirely confidential.
  • The flexibility to attend in person at Stafford or by telehealth, so it fits around shift work.

What We Can Help You With

Whether you’re experiencing work-related pressures, personal challenges, or a combination of both, our psychologists provide evidence-based support tailored to your individual needs.

Our psychologists use evidence-based therapies including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Schema Therapy, tailoring treatment to your individual goals and circumstances.

Experienced Support for Queensland Police Service Members

When you’re ready to seek support, choosing the right psychologist matters. Our team combines extensive clinical experience with an understanding of the unique demands placed on people working in policing, emergency services and other high-pressure occupations.

Experienced With First Responders

Our psychologists regularly support QPS members, veterans, ADF personnel and other first responders.

Matched to the Right Psychologist

We’ll take the time to understand your needs and preferences before matching you with the psychologist best suited to support you.

Evidence-Based Therapy

EMDR, CBT, ACT, Schema Therapy and other proven approaches that best fits your individual goals and circumstances.

Appointments That Fit Your Roster

In-person or secure telehealth, making it easier to access support around shift work and operational commitments.

You Don't Need to Be in Crisis to Reach Out

You don’t need a diagnosis, a referral or a specific reason to seek support. Many people use the QPS SelfRefer Program simply because work has become harder to manage, they’re feeling overwhelmed, or they’d like a confidential space to talk things through before problems become more significant.

Please note: SelfRefer isn’t a crisis service. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Meet Our Team

Our QPS clients are supported by clinical and registered psychologists experienced in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment, relationship concerns and high-performance occupations.

OUR PSYCHOLOGISTS

Carolyn Ireland
Clinical & Organisational Psychologist

Qualifications:

BSci (Hons), M Clin Psych (Post Reg), M Org Psych (MOPS), MAPS, FCCLP.

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Cate Brooks
Clinical Psychology Registrar

Qualifications:

MPsych(Clin), PostgradDipPsych, BSc(Hons), GradDipPsychStudies, BBus.

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Dr David Balladon
Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications:

DPsych, BSc(Hons).

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Dr Rachael Haynes
Registered Psychologist

Qualifications:

MPBSc(Psych)Hons, MSc(ForensicPsych), PhD. (Psychology), MAPS

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Dr Sarah Hampton
Clinical Psychologist

Qualifications:

BA Hons (Psych), DPsych (Clin).

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QPS Self-Refer Psychologist FAQs

QPS SelfRefer is a confidential, independently run support program that lets current employees, officers and volunteers of Queensland Police Service access SelfRefer psychology sessions without going through QPS itself. You can refer yourself directly to a provider like BCP — no approval or paperwork from QPS is needed.

You can access up to six funded sessions per financial year (1 July to 30 June). If you need more, your psychologist can request a further 3 sessions on your behalf, de-identified — this request can’t be made by you directly.

Your sessions remain confidential. Your psychologist does not share the content of your sessions, clinical records or reasons for attending with QPS. Administrative information is collected to manage the program and facilitate payment, but your clinical information remains confidential except where disclosure is required by law or with your consent. 

No. SelfRefer sessions don’t require a GP referral or a Mental Health Treatment Plan. You can book directly with us as a self-referral. For further information, contact our friendly Client Support Team on 1300 325 414.

You can attend in person at our Stafford practice, or by telehealth, whichever suits your schedule best.

Yes. Couples counselling for relationship difficulties is included under the SelfRefer Program. At this stage, the program does not fund sessions involving other family members.

Anything — personal or work-related. Common reasons include stress, trauma exposure, anxiety, relationship difficulties and adjusting to the demands of the job, but you don’t need a specific diagnosis to reach out.

Call our friendly Client Support Team on 1300 325 414 and let them know you’d like to book through QPS SelfRefer. They’ll talk you through your options and get you matched with a psychologist best suited to support you.

1300 325 414