Practising well: ethics, reflection and safe practice in psychology
The Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) Psychology Department Professional Development Day is an annual event, hosted by the CCLHD Psychology Department’s Education Committee.
Each year, the event aims to bring together psychologists and clinicians from within NSW Health and beyond for a day of networking and high-quality presentations from clinicians and researchers with expertise in their fields.
Whether you are a new graduate or a seasoned practitioner, practising well requires up-to-date knowledge, sound professional judgement, and a commitment to reflective, ethical and sustainable practice.
We are pleased to welcome A/Prof Lil Vrklevski (Principal Clinical Psychologist), Mr Simon Milton (Clinical Psychologist), Dr Kathryn Nicholson Perry (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr Chris Basten (Clinical Psychologist) as our 2026 speakers, to share their expertise and clinical insights across the day.
Thursday 6 August 2026
9:00am – 4:15pm
Gosford Hospital Conference Centre Auditorium
Level 2, Holden Street Gosford 2250
Cost: $35 per person.
Registration and payment can be completed via the CCLHD payment portal.
Please click the below link for more information. Please ensure you supply your email address when registering.
Register for the CCLHD Psychology Professional Development Day
Program
8:30am – 9:00am
Arrival and registration
9:00am – 9:15am
Welcome address and housekeeping
9:15am – 10.45am: Session 1 – Legal and Ethical Foundations of Practice
A/Prof Lil Vrklevski
Legal, Ethical & Professional Foundations for Contemporary Psychological Practice
10:45am – 11:05am
Morning Tea
11:05am – 12:35pm: Session 2 – Understanding the Regulatory System
Mr Simon Milton
Understanding AHPRA and Board Processes: Navigating Complaints and Professional Regulation
12:35pm – 1:20pm
Lunch
1:20pm – 2:20pm: Session 3 – Reflective Practice Across our Careers
Dr Kathryn Nicholson Perry
More than a Box to Tick: Applying Reflective Practice Across Your Career
2:20pm – 2:30pm
Afternoon Break
2:30pm – 4:00pm: Session 4 – Sustaining Ourselves in the Profession
Dr Chris Basten
Preventing and Managing Therapist Burnout through the Lenses of Emotional Labour and Self-Reflective Practice
4:00pm – 4:15pm
Closing Remarks
About our presenters
A/Prof Lil Vrklevski
A/Prof Lil Vrklevski is Principal Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychology at Sydney Local Health District, with over 30 years’ experience across clinical psychology and law. She has extensive experience in public mental health and a strong interest in the intersection of legal systems, professional identity, and trauma-informed care. Lil has published on vicarious trauma, teaches psychology and law, supervises provisional and registrar psychologists, and contributes to professional boards and advisory committees.
Session overview: Lil will open the day with an overview of the legal, ethical, and professional landscape psychologists navigate in healthcare practice.
Mr Simon Milton
Mr Simon Milton is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in Australia and England. He has spent many years working as a Professional Officer providing advice to the Psychology Board of Australia and the Psychology Council of NSW regarding registration matters and complaints against psychologists. Simon brings discipline-specific insight into how complaints and notifications are managed within the regulatory framework.
Session overview: Simon will provide a practical explanation of common complaints made to regulatory bodies, an overview of how complaints and notifications are handled and what practitioners should expect, as well as strategies for professional preparedness and response.
Dr Kathryn Nicholson Perry
Dr Kathryn Nicholson Perry is a Clinical Psychologist and Board-approved supervisor, with a background in psychology training, academic leadership and public health. She is currently a member of the Psychology Council of NSW. Kathryn brings a practical lens to competency-based practice and how reflective practice can meaningfully support ethical decision-making and clinical judgement in practice.
Session overview: As expectations of psychologists’ competencies evolve, reflective practice has become increasingly visible within the profession but also risks becoming a “tick-a-box” exercise. This session invites participants to consider reflective practice as a core professional capability that underpins how we apply our psychological knowledge and skills sensitively and effectively across our careers.
Dr Chris Basten
Dr Chris Basten is a Clinical Psychologist with interests in health psychology and eating disorders. He completed a Master of Clinical Psychology and a PhD at the University of Sydney. He worked for 15 years at Westmead Hospital in consultation-liaison psychiatry and the eating disorders unit. He has held casual lecturer roles at the University of Technology Sydney and the University of NSW, and now focuses on private practice and training health professionals. Chris is the author of the book ‘The Art of CBT’ and has contributed to several peer-reviewed publications as well as conference presentations.
Session overview: Chris will explore the prevalence and impact of burnout in mental health professionals, recognising warning signs, and practical strategies for maintaining resilience and wellbeing in clinical practice.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- When do ticket sales end?
Wednesday 5 August. - Will I receive an auto-email reply to confirm my payment for tax purposes?
No. Please use your credit card payment record as proof of purchase. - Can I attend online or access a recording?
No. This is an in-person event and will not be recorded. - What is the capacity of the event?
150 attendees. - How do I get to the event?
Gosford Hospital is located on Racecourse Road, Gosford. Free parking is available in surrounding streets (Racecourse Road and Showground Rd), but these areas park out quickly so allow plenty of time. Paid parking is available in the following parking stations at Gosford Hospital: P1 (access via Hospital Road off Racecourse Road) or P2 (access via Showground Road). Gosford Hospital is approximately a 10-minute walk from Gosford train station.
Gosford Hospital site map - How do I find the Hospital Auditorium?
The Auditorium is located in the Conference Centre on Level 2. Staff at the main reception desk can assist with directions. Please note that the ground floor (main entry) is on Level 4. - What catering is provided?
Morning tea will be provided. Attendees may purchase lunch and additional refreshments from cafés on site including the staff cafe adjacent to the conference centre on Level 2, the cafe located in the Hospital’s main entry foyer on Level 4 or the cafe in the nearby university building. - What should I bring to the event?
Paper for note-taking and a jacket (as the room can be cool). - What time does the registration desk open?
The registration desk opens at 8:30 am. Please ensure you are seated by 9.00 am as our event will start promptly. - What is the refund policy?
All refund requests must be submitted by Thursday 30 July 2026. We are unable to refund your ticket in the final 7 days before our event due to catering requirements. If you require a refund, please email CCLHD-PsychologyEducationTraining@health.nsw.gov.au - Is my ticket transferable in the final 7 days before the event?
Yes. You are welcome to transfer your registration to a colleague up to and including Thursday 6 August. To do so please contact us via email and provide the full name and email address of your colleague who will attend on the day – CCLHD-PsychologyEducationTraining@health.nsw.gov.au - What should I do if I do not have a colleague to transfer my ticket to in the final 7 days before the event?
We are unable to refund your ticket in the final 7 days. As a courtesy we would appreciate if you could advise us via email that you cannot attend: CCLHD-PsychologyEducationTraining@health.nsw.gov.au - Will attendance certificates be issued?
Yes. These will be available at the end of the day.
Questions and enquiries can be sent to our Administration Officer at: CCLHD-PsychologyEducationTraining@health.nsw.gov.au