Dr Andrew Allen | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Dr Andrew Allen is an accomplished Clinical Psychologist and Board-Approved Supervisor registered with the Psychology Board of Australia, under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Andrew has cultivated a remarkable career spanning both public and private sectors, predominantly focused on providing psychological interventions to support individuals with psychosocial and mental health difficulties across the lifespan. Andrew has been instrumental in the supervision of many Provisional Psychologists, supporting the development of key competencies during internships and addressing hurdles associated with early career development. Andrew has also been pivotal in leading, coordinating, and delivering evidence-based wellbeing initiatives for organisations.

As a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Andrew coordinates and teaches in the Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Master of Professional Psychology programs, encompassing ethics, professional practice, psychopathology, chronic disease management, psychopharmacology, cognitive behaviour therapy, and schema therapy. Andrew’s supervision of Provisional Psychologists enrolled in the programs aims to support competency development, self-efficacy, and reflective practice. Andrew is also passionate about research supervision for students in honours degrees, masters degrees, and higher degrees by research (i.e., PhD), having supervised over 40 projects to completion.

Andrew’s research has advanced the understanding of psychological mechanisms underlying maladaptive and harmful behaviours, including the importance of desire-related cognitions, metacognitive processes, and early maladaptive schemas. Equally, Andrew’s work explores how fostering resilience and meeting core psychological needs (e.g., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) can help individuals navigate mental health challenges and promote wellbeing. Andrew’s research further encompasses varying aspects of human sexuality, including sexual dysfunctions, paraphilias, and harmful sexual behaviours, with a focus on sexual wellbeing and reducing the extent and impact of sexual violence.