Dr Rachael Murrihy is a clinical psychologist and Director of the Kidman Centre, a department within the Faculty of Science at UTS, dedicated to the understanding, prevention and reduction of mental health problems in young people aged five to 25.

Rachael’s specialty is in clinical adolescent psychology, with a particular interest in youth aggression, conduct problems and bullying, including cyber bullying.

A practicing clinician, she works with youth with internalising and externalising disorders across a diverse range of settings, including the university clinic, private practice, inpatient wards, and in mainstream and alternative schools.

Rachael works with young people (5-25 years), their parents, and the professionals who support young people, including teachers, doctors, and health and welfare professionals.

She also lectures, trains, and supervises professionals in this field, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, family physicians, nurses, educators and interns. She is strongly committed to ensuring psychologists have access to high-quality and affordable evidence-based training.

Her areas of expertise include bullying interventions, mental illness prevention, disruptive behaviour disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions.

Rachael obtained her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Wollongong in 2006 and subsequently received the John Freestone Award for outstanding achievement in a clinical training program.

Her doctoral dissertation focused on the delivery of training in cognitive behavioural therapy for general practitioners and psychiatric registrars.

She joined the Kidman Centre (previously known as the Health Psychology Unit, and based on the grounds of the Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick) in 2006, as a psychologist. In 2014, she was appointed Director of the Centre.

Rachael has published research with an adolescent focus and presented this work at conferences both nationally and internationally. She has 11 peer-reviewed publications, including two edited books, one co-authored book, and three book chapters.

She is a regular expert commentator in the media about issues relating to mental health and young people.


AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2024 - current - Editorial board member: Child and Family Clinical Review
2014-2024 Philanthropic donations raised: 1million/annum
2019 UTS Social Justice Department Grant
2017 Reviewer: Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
2013 Staff conference travel grant - UTS Faculty of Science ($1500)
2013 Fairfax family foundation grant ($300,000)
2006 John Freestone Award. Most Outstanding Student in Clinical Program
2006 Staff conference travel grant - UTS Faculty of Science ($1500)
2002 Summer Scholarship - University of Wollongong
2001 Research Grant Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
2001 Research Grant from Australian Psychological Society, Illawarra Institute of Mental Health. Pfizer and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
2001 Summer Scholarship - University of Wollongong


MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Antony Kidman Foundation Board member 2014-2025
AACBT Sydney branch committee member 2012-2025
Australian Psychological Society (APS). Registered since 1996.
APS Clinical College member
Full Registration - NSW Psychologists Registration Board
Australian Association of Cognitive & Behavioural Therapy (AACBT) Member
The Banksia Project Board Member 2018-2020