Additional Qualifications
Educational Background
Rennie completed a degree in Sociology and Drama that informs his practice with First Nations peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Sociology provided Rennie with a historical, social and economic understanding of issues that affect many people who find themselves needing psychological support. Studying drama, has enhanced his understanding and application of expressive therapies that he has found useful in counselling e.
His academic degree in Theology and Pastoral Care has equipped him with an understanding of diverse faith systems and foundational training in counselling skills. It has also informed Rennie’s ability to advocate for justice and peace with the ability to stand in difficult places with clients and colleagues.
An Honours degree in Applied Psychology further developed Rennie’s counselling skill base and added psychological knowledge, research and statistical skills. It provided the pathway to full registration as a psychologist.
Professional development across Rennie’s entire professional life has led to a specialisation in trauma informed counselling. However, it has also included training in professional supervision, relationship preparation and support, psychodrama, training and assessment, career support, mediation, EMDR, CBT, DBT, and other counselling modalities that enhance his psychological practice.
Experience
Rennie has worked professionally in mining, urban, hospital, school, university and rural communities where he provided crisis intervention, pastoral care, grief support, and counselling. He has been actively involved in community care and development through community centres and other organisations. He helped establish and support the Pilbara Mobile Counselling Service and a youth housing initiative. He served as Chairperson of the Social Justice Commission in the WA Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia. He served for 14 years on the Australian Bone Marrow Donors Registry Ethics Committee until it was disbanded. More recently he has been President of the Rotary Club of the Lower Blue Mountains and is currently coordinating the Pulim Win Project; a joint Rotary and Australian college of Neonatal Nurses project in Papua New Guinea.
After becoming registered as a psychologist, Rennie worked for 10 years in acute mental health and rehabilitation settings across the Northern Sydney Health Area. He has held a senior leadership role in an independent school and developed his private practice in the Nepean Valley and Lower Blue Mountains near Sydney. Rennie provided crisis support during the Thredbo Disaster and provided psychological services to people affected by fires in the Blue Mountains. He provides psychological support for people who are suicidal. He is a Fellow within the APS College of Counselling Psychologists, and for over 15 years has been between part-time and full-time independent private practice work.
Outlook
Rennie is proud to present a client centred psychological service integrating his extensive training and experience. He values a model of psychology which is evidence informed, incorporating insights from practice and emerging research. Rennie has sought out supervision and professional support throughout his professional life using a several modalities including Self Psychology. He is keen to work collaboratively with colleagues and other professional to provide informed psychological support to his clients and the wider community.