OPMHFA – Parramatta Mission

ABOUT THE TRAINER – GEOFF BOWSER

Geoff Bowser is currently in private practice as a Clinical Psychologist in Hamilton, Newcastle. While he treats clients across the age span he has a large number of older clients, many of them in therapy for the first time to address issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma or problems with sleep. He is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association.

In an extensive former career he worked in school education, including almost 25 years’ service as a school Principal in urban, regional and rural locations.

Geoff now draws on his skills as both an experienced educator and presenter and a practising clinician in presenting Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses. He is passionate about improving mental health literacy and improving skills in supporting those with mental health problems both in workplaces and in the general community. A Master Instructor of MHFA courses, he is also a Consultant Instructor Trainer for MHFA Australia in training Instructors of the Standard and Older Person MHFA courses. He presents MHFA courses in workplace settings across a range of organizations including in the government and statutory authority sector, in industrial settings and in sectors as diverse as aged care, human services, financial services, hospitality and travel. In doing so he seeks to equip community members with the skills to assist those they encounter in everyday life, helping them access appropriate services.

Feedback from a recent MHFA course Geoff presented to a community volunteer organization included the following, indicating his ability to engage with an audience using everyday communication:

“The course was professionally presented in a down to earth manner so I was able to understand”

“Thank you for an enjoyable experience considering the heavy content”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course, it was well delivered and I appreciate the awareness that Geoff had with the attendees in the course.”

“I found Geoff a very good instructor. There was no question or statement that he did not answer with compassion and knowledge.”

“Geoff was very approachable. I felt comfortable with his delivery of the content, even as confronting as it was for me personally.”

Geoff has a Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree from James Cook University, Townsville. As part of the Masters program he undertook research on the well-being and mental health of Australian school teachers and leaders. He examined the impact of perceived effort-reward imbalance and work/life conflict. He previously completed research on eating disorders in adolescents.

During the last decade of his involvement in the education sector, Geoff led the development of a whole school well-being program focused on both students and staff. He also led teams of students, staff and parents in cross cultural exchanges in the Pacific and Asia.

Protected: OPMHFA

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