Shona Innes

Dr Shona Innes

Forensic & Clinical Psychologist – Consultant, Supervising Psychologist, Researcher, Educator, Speaker, Author & Media Commentator

Qualifications

Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Psychology)
Graduate Diploma of Applied Science (Applied Child Psychology)
Master of Clinical Psychology

PhD – Child sexual abuse prevention

Memberships

Australian Psychological Society (APS)
APS College of Clinical Psychologists
APS College of Forensic Psychologists
ANZATSA – Australia/New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse

Professionally…

Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

A nationally recognised forensic and clinical psychologist, Shona is known for supporting troubled children, young people, adults and their carers, and collaborating with support, protection and justice agencies to address complex situations.

Applying more than 30 years’ experience in evidence-based forensic and clinical psychology, Shona delivers detailed, concise assessments of complex cases; formulates and implements treatment for troubled children and young people; and advises and consults to the agencies and institutions involved in their support and protection. Her keen intellect and extensive experience of forensic and clinical psychology is underpinned by a genuine desire to achieve workable, happy and safe outcomes for all involved.

The depth and breadth of Shona’s experience is considerable. Beginning in Disability Services in the late 1980s then moving to Youth Justice in the mid 1990s, Shona has long advocated for understanding the individual and contextual factors that influence our behaviour. Shona worked in a Youth Justice custodial centre providing assessment, intervention, psychological supervision and advice for the centre while providing professional direction and guidance for Regional Juvenile Justice staff and the Youth Parole Board. She also consulted for the Male Adolescent Program for Positive Sexuality (MAPPS), providing assessment and intervention for adolescents with harmful sexual behaviours. These experiences positioned Shona to contribute to Government policy and procedures for responding to sexual and violent behaviour as well as managing vulnerable young people.

Shona has worked in the Emergency Department and Psychiatric Ward of Calvary Hospital, Canberra, where she provided crisis assessments of mental state and conducted group and individual therapy for a range of psychiatric disorders. She also provided information and presented workshops to the families of those with mental health concerns.

A private practitioner since 1999, Shona has grown and sold a regional psychology practice that was home to 12 psychologists and four administration staff. She has continued to consult to Corrections and Youth Justice (including programs to address harmful sexual behaviours and offending ), Child Safety, schools and disability services. She is called upon to provide consultation and assessments with respect to children and parents at risk of abuse and young people at risk of committing serious offences. She also writes reports and makes recommendations to Courts, registration boards and tribunals with respect to managing risk and supporting good lives.

Supervising Psychologist

As a leading professional, Shona provides supervision for provisional psychologists, clinical and forensic psychology registrars, master’s and doctoral students in forensic and clinical psychology as well as peer consultation for registered psychologists or other professionals looking for guidance to navigate complex presentations or difficult ethical terrain.

Shona has supported professionals working in the government sector, hospital settings, schools and tertiary education settings, private practice, not-for-profit organisations, and disability agencies.

Researcher, Educator and Speaker

Shona is adept at translating research knowledge for everyday applications in family households, communities and workplaces. She has designed and delivered training sessions for parents, psychologists, social workers, counsellors, and criminologists with a pragmatic focus on applying evidence-based knowledge to support safer and happier communities.

Shona has presented for TedX on youth mental health, addressed the Australian Bribery and Corruption Summit on young people and the development of corruption, provided training workshops for the Australian Psychological Society and presented her research on child sexual abuse prevention to the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Shona contributes regularly to local media by sharing her expertise on issues that impact on the welfare of children, teens, youth adults and families.

Author

Asked to write about what she calls ‘tricky’ emotions and delicate situations, Shona has authored and published the Big Hug picture book series, designed to assist young children and their families in times of distress including grief, family separation, bullying and cyber issues. Her books are sold in Australia and internationally and have been translated into multiple languages.

She is currently working on her debut novel – the product of her recent PhD. Written to overcome barriers to talking about emotionally ‘hot’ topics, Shona’s novel translates evidence-based child sexual abuse preventions strategies and provides important conversational models for parents of young children.