Our Approach
Professionals are those who have sought extensive education and training for the purpose of providing a service to others. Being a professional necessitates staying up-to-date with the latest knowledge and practice in one's chosen field. At Hope Research and Practice Institute we provide professional development programs informed by the latest research, and do so using the latest pedagogical technologies. Our programs and workshops are not only innovative and high quality, but also personally relevant. Michael Polanyi, famous chemist and philosopher, said that 'all knowing is personal knowing', and similarly we believe that all genuine learning is personal learning. In this respect, our courses are designed to connect with the learner through material and experiences which are personally meaningful and applied.
Apart from providing professional development workshops and short courses, we also work with organisations to design bespoke professional development experiences which meet the current needs of the organisation and its professionals. While an 'off the shelf' CPD program may well be suitable, it may not meet the specific needs of your organisation at a given time. Our experienced team can work with you to develop innovative, purpose-built professional development experiences.
Hope is the foundational principle and practice on which we at Hope Research and Practice Institute base our approach to life and work. This is because hope orientates us to the future and provides us with the motivation to envision new possibilities, and create pathways around obstacles. Hope asks, "what is possible?", and in so doing encourages us to imagine and to create break-through innovations which expand our horizons. It is our goal to design and deliver quality professional development and support, which takes you and your organisation towards a stronger, possibility-filled future.
Denis O'Hara
Dr Denis O’Hara is the Director of Hope Research and Practice Institute and is Adjunct Professor of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Griffith University, Brisbane and the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is also a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society, associate member of the Australian Psychological Society and register member of the Psychotherapist and Counsellors Federation of Australia. Denis has taught in a number of universities and colleges both in Australia and overseas across faculties of education, psychology, and counselling. He continues his passion for quality curriculum development and teaching via the design and provision of professional development workshops and courses. Denis enjoys researching and writing and is a published author with an extensive list of publications. His most recent book is entitled “Hope in Counselling and Psychotherapy”.