Holdsworth House strengthens line-up

University of Western Sydney senior lecturer and clinical psychologist Dr Jim Malcolm will assist Holdsworth House Health to further develop its mental health services.
A new clinical services agreement between the two organisations will allow Holdsworth House to expand its psychology services.
Holdsworth House CEO Peter Marks said Dr Malcolm had been operating a small consultancy at the Oxford St practice since 2002.
“While he retains his academic and teaching responsibilities at UWS, the consultancy arrangement allows for significant extension of his current Holdsworth House practice, providing specialist clinical psychology services to adult clients,” Marks said.
“This unique appointment of a senior clinical psychology practitioner and academic develops strong links between clinical psychology teaching and practice benefiting both Holdsworth House Health and the UWS clinical psychology training program.”
In his practice, Dr Malcolm has focused on the assessment and treatment of anxiety, stress, depression and life adjustment issues and concerns associated with sexuality, self-esteem, and alcohol and drug use. He specialises in providing psychological treatment services to gay and bisexual men and, in his academic role, continues to conduct and publish research in the area of male sexual identity development, sexual identity transitions, bisexuality and internalised homophobia.
“I have had my own personal experience of some of the difficulties that non-heterosexual people experience in the world and this experience, together with my professional knowledge and skills, help me provide targeted quality services to members of the community,” Dr Malcolm said.
“It is very encouraging that there are increasing numbers of gay and lesbian-identified psychologists and mental health professionals in both public and private settings.
“There is some evidence that mental health services to GLBT people are best delivered by skilled professionals from within the community, who can understand their unique needs and particular lifestyle issues.”
Dr Malcolm has previously acted as a consultant to the Legal Aid Commission of NSW, the NSW Department of Health, Odyssey House, the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service and the Gay and Married Men’s Association of NSW.