About Dr Lee Hughes

A Warm Welcome

I wish you a warm welcome and thank you for reaching out. My name is Dr Lee Hughes, and I am a practising registered Psychologist registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), with Clinical Psychologist endorsement pending.

I offer personalised, evidence-based psychological services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. My approach is centred on creating a safe, non-judgemental, and collaborative environment where we can explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours openly. I use a variety of therapeutic techniques, tailored to meet your individual needs, with the ultimate goal of equipping you with the skills and understanding needed to navigate life's ups and downs more effectively.

My experience spans various clinical, residential, and educational settings, allowing me to understand and address the unique mental health needs of individuals across all life stages. I am currently completing Advanced training in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), a brief therapeutic approach that is effective for most mental health concerns and persistent psychological problems. I also have experience in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Mi-CBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). My primary areas of clinical interest include attachment issues, anxiety, low mood, emotion regulation difficulties, relationship issues, substance use, and men's mental health.

Outside of clinical practice, I completed my Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology in April 2026, examining substance use and pre-loading behaviours in nightlife settings. I am committed to staying involved in research and academia, and to furthering understanding of the processes that drive change in therapy.

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Dr Lee Hughes — Gold Coast Psychologist

Dr Lee Hughes

Psychologist | PhD

Qualifications & Registration

AHPRA Registered

Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (PSY0002169564). Current registration valid to 30 November 2026.

APS Member

Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. Clinical Psychologist endorsement pending with AHPRA.

PhD Completed

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology — Griffith University, completed April 2026. Research focused on substance use and pre-loading behaviours.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — Clinical Psychology

Griffith University, completed April 2026. Research focused on pre-loading behaviours and substance use in nightlife settings.

Clinical Psychology Registrar Program

Completed full supervised registrar program. Clinical Psychologist endorsement pending with AHPRA.

Advanced ISTDP Training

Three-year Core Training and Advanced training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy.

AHPRA Registered Psychologist

Registration: PSY0002169564 · Medicare Provider: 6050375W · Current registration: 1 Dec 2025 – 30 Nov 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see Dr Lee Hughes?

No referral is needed to book an appointment. You can self-refer and book online at any time. If you would like to access the Medicare rebate, you will need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, which provides up to 10 rebated sessions per calendar year.

How long are sessions?

Standard sessions are 60 minutes. Extended 1.5-hour sessions are also available at a higher rate — see the Booking & Fees page for full details.

What therapeutic approaches does Dr Lee Hughes use?

Dr Lee Hughes draws on a range of evidence-based approaches, including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Mi-CBT), and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). The approach is always tailored to the individual.

Is telehealth available?

Yes. Telehealth sessions are available across Queensland via a secure video platform. Telehealth attracts the same Medicare rebate as in-person appointments.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, please bring a copy or ask your GP to send it to the practice. You don't need to prepare anything in particular — the first session is simply an opportunity for us to meet, discuss what's brought you to therapy, and begin building a working relationship.

Acknowledgement of Country

Mellow Vibes Psychology would like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to the Traditional Owners of the lands to which we are privileged to gather upon. We extend our respect to the Yugambeh Nation and Kombumerri Peoples. We extend our respect to all First Nations Peoples, and to all past, present, and emerging Elders.