About Keir (he/him)
Early career
I’ve always been drawn to work that centres on people and community. My early career was in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) rehabilitation, disability care, and housing and homelessness services. These roles shaped my belief in compassionate, practical and person-centred support.
Study and clinical placements
I returned to study as a mature-age student and completed a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at RMIT and Griffith University. During my studies, I undertook a research placement with Tandem Mental Health Carer’s Support Network and a clinical placement at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, working with individuals and families navigating complex health and emotional challenges.
Hospital and public mental health
After completing my studies, I moved into hospital and public mental health, working with Cabrini Health and NorthWestern Mental Health in case management and senior clinician roles, including Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CATT) and Substance Use and Mental Illness Treatment (SUMITT). At Cabrini, I worked predominantly on the geriatric ward, supporting patients and families transitioning to aged care.
Teaching, training and policy
Most recently, I held teaching roles within the Royal Melbourne Hospital Mental Health Training and Development Unit, creating and delivering training for clinical staff in Dual Diagnosis, Motivational Interviewing and AOD treatment pathways. During this time, I also contributed to policy and strategic direction across Victorian mental health and AOD services through the Victorian Department of Health, including as a member of the Dual Diagnosis Initiative Leadership Group.
How I work
Alongside emotional and psychological wellbeing, I consider the influence of social context, support networks, physical health and our sense of meaning and belonging within family, community and society. For some people, this may also include spiritual or existential dimensions, such as religious beliefs or a broader sense of purpose.
This person-in-environment perspective is grounded in my social work training and experience and informs how I work with people experiencing a wide range of concerns, from difficulties in day-to-day life through to more complex mental health presentations.
My priority is to build trust and rapport, so you feel safe, understood and at ease. You'll have space to ask questions and settle into the process at a pace that feels comfortable. Nothing will feel rushed or forced — sessions should have a natural, supportive flow.
You can expect a blend of structured, targeted questions combined with an intuitive, organic process. I'm always guided by what you share, how you are presenting in the appointment and what you want to achieve.
When I’m not working, I enjoy time with my family, gardening, bushwalking and I love getting out of town when I can.
