Chris Cheers is a psychologist and educator based in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about creating accessible, accepting and safe spaces where people become empowered to reach their life goals. Through extensive training and lived experience, Chris has also developed expertise in providing individual psychology services and workshops to artists and creatives and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Before training as a psychologist, Chris worked for arts organisations across Australia, developing a rich understanding of the industry and a rich network of relationships with artists and arts workers. Chris brings this experience and understanding to providing specialised mental health care to clients who work in acting, music, dance, and other arts workers and workers in creative industries.
With this experience, and his expertise as a psychologist and educator, Chris offers specialised workshops and consultations to arts organisations wanting to elevate the mental health and well-being of their artists and workers. Chris has provided workshops and mental health consultation to the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Arts Wellbeing Collective (Arts Centre Melbourne), National Institute of Dramatic Arts, Australian Academy of Music, Arts House (City of Melbourne) and various independent theatre productions and films.
Chris also enjoys making the ideas of psychology accessible through commentary and interviews in podcasts, print media and television. Most recently Chris has appeared on ABC Radio National, 7am Podcast, The Age, The Guardian, Reputation Rehab (ABC Australia), In Bed with Georgia Grace Podcast, Body and Soul, the ABC News, Daily Mail, Archer Magazine, Gay are Revolting, Ink & Paint, and House Lights Up (Arts Wellbeing Collective).
Chris is an endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist and board-approved Supervisor. Chris has also developed an expertise and interest in sexuality and gender development, completing specialised training in supporting LGBTQI+ clients across all ages. Chris is also a member of the Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health (AusPATH) and the Australian Association of Psychologists Incorporated (AAPi).
Chris completed his undergraduate and Honours studies in Psychology at the University of Sydney before completing his Postgraduate studies in Melbourne. Chris has been a university Lecturer in Psychology since 2011 and is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Alcohol and Policy Research at La Trobe University.