About Social Sense

Founded in 2018, Social Sense Allied Health exists to empower people with the tools, strategies, and support needed to pursue meaningful goals, no matter how complex the circumstances. With the right therapeutic relationship, growth and change become possible. We focus on who you are, not just a diagnosis. Rather than subscribing to one therapy model, we collaborate with you to determine what will be most helpful.

We prioritise building a shared understanding of what is happening, what matters to you, and how we can work together to move forward. Effective therapy addresses the underlying causes of distress, not just the symptoms. We form a strong therapeutic alliance based on trust, connection, and mutual agreement on the goals and methods of therapy.

Our team are experts in complexity. At the same time, we are deeply committed to supporting your confidence, connection, and capacity to thrive.

We value lived experience, maintain ongoing professional development, and uphold the highest standards of ethical practice, quality assurance, and compliance. We are committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of every person we work with.

Please note we are not a crisis service and operate normal business hours only. If there is a crisis, you can contact: Emergency Services 000, Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467, Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491, 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732, Kids Helpline (5-25yrs) 1800 551 800 and headspace (12-25yrs) 1800 650 890.

About Don Mackenzie

Don Mackenzie is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 27 years’ clinical experience across Australia and the UK. He has worked in diverse settings including One Door Mental Health, the Department of Education, headspace, Centrelink, and NSW Health. Since 2018, Don has been in private practice as the Director of Social Sense Allied Health.

Don provides therapy to children, adults, and families, and supervises Social Workers nationwide. He is an industry expert in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Victims Services NSW, and Out of Home Care (OOHC) therapeutic support.

His career has focused on psychosocial disability, developmental trauma, family violence, neurobiology, endocrinology, and the social determinants of health. He is committed to ongoing learning and regularly undertakes professional development in evidence-based therapies, including EMDR, Neurofeedback, CBT, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.

“I believe therapy is a co-production of knowledge and skills. Alongside my academic qualifications, I deeply value the lived experience and stories of the people I work with. This shared process continually shapes my practice wisdom. Outside of work, I recharge through running, tennis, gym, and daily yoga. I am a parent of a teenager and two young adults so can relate to family and parenting challenges and issues”.  

  • Social work is a tertiary qualified profession recognised internationally for its commitment to social justice and human rights. Social workers aim to enhance the quality of life for all individuals and empower people to reach their full potential. The profession is grounded in principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversity. These principles are informed by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and Indigenous knowledges. Professional social workers understand the complex interplay between biological, psychological, social and cultural factors and how these influence a person’s health, wellbeing and development. Social workers provide support to individuals, families, groups and communities. They maintain a dual focus on improving personal wellbeing and identifying and addressing systemic issues such as inequality, discrimination and injustice that affect people’s lives.

  • 1️⃣ Person-centred approach – Supports are tailored to your goals, values, and individual circumstances
    2️⃣ Develop relationships – Strengthen your connections at home, work, and in the broader community
    3️⃣ Unbiased support – A safe, respectful, and non-judgemental space to explore your experiences
    4️⃣ Co-produce the right tools – Practical, evidence-based resources emailed for use between sessions
    5️⃣ Confidential and private – Your privacy is protected under the AASW Code of Ethics
    6️⃣ Personal autonomy – You set the pace and direction; we collaborate on your terms
    7️⃣ Mental health support – Therapy for anxiety, trauma, stress, grief, and life transitions
    8️⃣ Personal growth – Increase self-awareness, develop coping strategies, and build resilience
    9️⃣ Make sense of your experience – Talking brings clarity, and you will be supported every step

  • • Bachelor of Social Work, University of Sydney (1998)
    • Master of Social Work – Advanced Practice, Charles Sturt University (2016)
    • Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) (2013)

  • Download Don’s CV

  • Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW School of Medicine

    Lecturer, Charles Sturt University

"Both of my children, aged 9 and 15, have seen Don this year. He has been approachable, relatable, and easy for the kids to engage with. My son genuinely looked forward to his fortnightly sessions with Don, where he could talk openly and learn new skills. Each session gave us practical, age-appropriate strategies we could use straight away to manage real-life situations. I would confidently recommend Don to anyone, of any age, needing support with their mental health."
— Parent of Client

Experts in complexity.

Improve your confidence, connection and capacity.