mark kelly

---

Mark Kelly MClinPsych, BPsychSc(Hons), MAPS, MAAPi is a former Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police. He served in a variety of operational roles, investigating a range of transnational crime types ranging from narcotics and human trafficking to counter terrorism and child protection operations. 

Mark led investigation teams throughout Asia and Europe and in his role as Crime Manager (Human Trafficking) delivered training to law enforcement agencies from around the world.

Mark was the lead investigator on several high profile investigations within Australia and overseas and was an investigator on the ground in Bali following the bombing in 2002. He is the proud recipient of the AFP Operations Medal and AFP Long Service Medal. Mark also served on the national council of the Australian Federal Police Association. 

Mark separated from the AFP in 2011.  Mark holds a Master of Clinical Psychology and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) from the University of Queensland.  He is also a PhD candidate at UQ conducting ongoing research into the treatment of PTSD in police officers.

Mark operates his private practice, Elevation Psychology at Blue Hope and is he also responsible for the coordination of mental health services for our consumers.

I loved everything about the police service.  It was my dream and my passion. Unfortunately, complex PTSD cut my career short and like many others, I was treated very badly by the service. My claim was denied, I was provided with no treatment, no recovery or return to work plan and was barely contacted in the 12 months I was on leave.  Ultimately left with no choice but to resign, I initiated legal proceedings and after a 2 year battle won my case. Needless to say, this took a tremendous toll on my family, my finances and my physical and mental health (that's a whole story on it's own).

After years of painstaking hard work and adherence to treatment, I decided that I would commit the rest of my working life to helping police officers struggling with mental illness. This led me to to six years of clinical psychology study at the University of Queensland.  My ongoing academic research focuses on the epidemiology, treatment and recovery processes of police officers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, occupational stress and moral injury. 

In addition to my work in private practice at Elevation Psychology, my role as director at Blue Hope is to coordinate peer support groups and mental health programs and manage out-of-area referrals to psychologists and treatment facilities around the country.  Day to day I can be found at our clinic where I provide psychological services to current and former police officers and their families.