Associate Professor Maria Hennessy

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Queensland, 2001-2004;
• Master of Applied Positive Psychology, University of Melbourne, 2021-2022;
• Master of Psychology (Clinical), University of Tasmania, 1990-1992;
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours), University of Tasmania, 1989;
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Tasmania, 1985-1988

Click here for research interest and publications

Biography

Originally from Australia, Dr Maria Hennessy is now an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at James Cook University, Singapore.  She received a PhD in Psychology from the University of Queensland, an MPsych (Clinical) from the University of Tasmania, a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Melbourne, a BA (Honours) from the University of Tasmania, and a BA (Neuroscience and English) from the University of Tasmania. Prior to joining JCU, Singapore, she held leadership and management positions in Queensland Health, Charles Darwin University, and James Cook University, Australia; research positions in Queensland Health, James Cook University, and the University of Sydney; and has worked as an academic in postgraduate clinical programs at the University of Tasmania, Charles Darwin University, and James Cook University, Australia.

Her clinical experience  includes working with children, adolescents, adults and older adults in a range of settings including mental health, neurology and neurosurgery, community rehabilitation, and secondary schools. Her clinical approach  is primarily cognitive-behavioural, with a focus on process-based approaches, wellbeing assessment and positive psychological interventions.

She is registered as a psychologist in Australia, and endorsed to practice as a clinical psychologist and a neuropsychologist. She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists, and an active member of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Research Interests

• assessment of wellbeing
• search for meaning in life
• wellbeing theory
• cross-cultural wellbeing
• positive health outcomes after chronic subdural haematoma
• mindfulness-based strengths practice
• assessment of post-traumatic amnesia
• mental health outcomes after traumatic brain injury
• systems-informed thinking