Carolyn Heward, BPsych, MPsych (Clinical)

Carolyn Heward is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, where she teaches in the Master of Psychology (Clinical) program while conducting research on military identity construction and its implications for psychological wellbeing. As a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), she brings valuable insights to the intersection of military culture and mental health, particularly through her perspective that identity work is fundamental to clinical practice. Her recent scoping review on military culture, identity, and mental health has contributed to understanding the unique challenges faced by service members, while her current doctoral research explores the construction of military identity within the ADF and its clinical implications. Drawing from her clinical experience, Carolyn's work focuses on developing integrated approaches to clinical psychology that move beyond cultural formulations to address individual identity construction. She has also contributed to public discourse on military mental health through The Conversation, publishing articles on military identity and providing analysis of the Australian Government's response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.