Rate My Professor Sean Halpin

Associate Professor Sean Halpin is a clinical psychologist serving as Psychology Clinic Director and Associate Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Science, at the University of Newcastle. He completed his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with first-class honours and PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Newcastle in 2008, with his thesis titled Psychosocial Well-being During Stages of Gay Identity Development. Halpin's professional career commenced in 1998 as an intern psychologist with the Department of Corrective Services, followed by positions at the Psychological Assistance Service (PAS), an early psychosis outpatient service in Hunter New England Health, where he achieved full registration as a psychologist in 2000, advanced to Team Leader, and later became Clinical Leader of the Newcastle Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service until 2011. He joined the University of Newcastle as Senior Lecturer in 2011 and currently directs the Psychology Clinic, providing evidence-based clinical training to postgraduate students and services to the community while emphasizing practical applications of theory.

Halpin's research interests center on psychosis, particularly early intervention and management of ultra-high risk states, alongside modification of risk factors for comorbid physical and mental health issues, stigma, sexual identity development, and working alliance. His extensive publication record includes over 87 works with more than 1,500 citations, featuring key papers such as Walk-and-Talk Therapy Versus Conventional Indoor Therapy for Depression (2025), Parent–Child Interaction Therapy for a 3-Year-Old Girl With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (2021), Predictors of non-suicidal self-injury cessation in adults who self-injured during adolescence (2020), Outcomes of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for families presenting with child maltreatment: A systematic review (2022), and Addressing Smoking in Sheltered Homelessness with Intensive Smoking Treatment (ASSIST Project) (2021). He has contributed to randomized controlled trials on health behavior change in head and neck cancer patients, exercise interventions for youth depression, and metacognitive beliefs about alcohol in young people with severe mental illness. Recognized for teaching excellence, Halpin was placed on the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's (Academic) Merit List in 2018 and received Highly Commended status in the University of Newcastle Excellence Awards. His supervision areas encompass clinical psychology, early intervention, healthy lifestyles, and professional development of early-career psychologists.