Welcome!

I’m Mark Donovan, a man in his 50s doing the work I love, living with the people I love, and playing fully so I enjoy being alive.

My godfather shared a simple philosophy with me when I was 18 that has gently informed my own approach: Leave the World a Better Place.

After 20 years of teaching and supervising on clinical and professional psychology programs at the University of Wollongong and University of East Anglia, I recently completed a PhD and continue to offer training, supervision and family-focused clinical practice. When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with my partner, children and grandchildren, down the beach swimming or running, or catching up with mates. Sometimes I read a book.

Some of the Back Story…

I started life in Ireland and moved to Sydney when I was 8 years old. I loved the blue skies of Australia however it was tough being an outsider – I pronounced things wrong and felt embarrassed due to being different. These differences became a liberating licence to remain creative and invigorated throughout my years of psychology practice.

My approach started out with cognitive behavioural therapy from undergraduate days at University of NSW. Post-graduate clinical training at Macquarie University, and inspiration from Daf Hewson in particular, sparked a shift towards narrative and systemic therapy from the early 1990s.  A stint in the UK working with infants and their parents established the central role of attachment. The return to Australia in 2005, and working at the University of Wollongong then signalled the integration of acceptance and commitment therapy and compassion-focussed therapy into the therapeutic melting pot. These days I’m back in Sydney and like to think I can draw from each of these therapeutic approaches based on the needs of who I’m working with.

Current Preoccupations

Parenting

Over the past 20 years I’ve enjoyed putting together a parenting program with a good mate and colleague Greg Konza –  Confident Carers Cooperative Kids (CCCK). Greg and I set out to meet the needs of parents who were struggling with their children’s emotions and behaviour, and who weren’t able to engage with the existing parenting programs. We’re pretty happy with the feedback we get from families as well as other practitioners. There are now a handful of publications supporting the effectiveness of CCCK (see ‘Parenting Tab’). Meanwhile my real education continues through being an active parent and grandparent.

Supervision

It’s a rare privilege to help guide practitioners at the beginning of their clinical careers, as well as to share ideas with more experienced practitioners. I also enjoy running workshops for The Reflective Supervision Team, the Australian Psychological Society, the Singapore Psychological Society and other organisations to equip supervisors with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to train up the next generation of practitioners.

Keeping Active 

Play and activity are a big part of my life. I’ve always loved throwing or kicking a ball around, or diving into the water, or getting lost in conversation while running along. I’ve rekindled the joy of long-distance running during my 50s, inspired by two of my children.