Introducing Phillip Stacey
Phillip Stacey“It’s exciting.” The comment is delivered in soft tones, but the sincerity is obvious when Phillip Stacey is asked about his new role as Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local’s new Clinical Manager for Mental Health Services in Mackay.
“To be part of something from the early stages of its development is a fantastic opportunity,” Dr Stacey said.
“Professionally it’s exciting because I’m very interested in the work we’ll be able to do with headspace Mackay, but also personally.”
“My wife’s family are Mackay locals and we wanted to move away from Brisbane to raise our young family.”
Dr Stacey holds a
doctorate in clinical psychology and specialises in the psychological
assessment and treatment of early psychosis.
He was attached to the Early Psychosis Service
of the Brisbane North Mental Health Service and had a private practice
specialising in anxiety disorders. He was also previously the Chair of the
Brisbane Area Branch of the Australian Psychological Society, and a researcher,
clinical supervisor and lecturer in clinical psychology at Australian Catholic
University.
The move to Mackay was, in part, prompted by fortunate timing.
“I happened to be in Townsville giving a lecture for the Mental Illness Fellowship when the announcement was made that Mackay had been granted their headspace,” Dr Stacey said.
“I’ve had regular contact with early psychosis services in north Queensland and the opportunity to join the Medicare Local and headspace in Mackay came at the right time for our family.”
Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local Director of Mental Health Services Aileen Colley said Dr Stacey’s appointment was a coup for the organisation and the Mackay community.
“Phillip comes with so much experience and his research background will be invaluable with the work we hope to be doing in Mackay,” Ms Colley said.
“We have a strong team of committed professionals in our Mackay Mental Health team providing support through the ATAPS program, Mental Health Nurses, Rural Primary Health Services and soon we’ll also have headspace Mackay.”
While Dr Stacey will work closely with all aspects of the Townsville-Mackay Medicare Local’s Mental Health Services in Mackay, he is looking forward to the launch of headspace services in Mackay.
“Being able to provide bulk-billed mental health services to young people in the community is huge,” he said.
“That access is so important for people who are referred to us and those who walk in looking for help.”
“It’s also fantastic we will soon have a service that is focussed on the needs of young people.”
