Research interests
My research interests are broad, with a particular focus on the mental health and the social and emotional wellbeing of young people with neurodevelopmental disorders and other disabilities, and including the development and evaluation of assessment protocols and intervention programs tailored to meet their needs. Sample programs of research include:
• Evaluation of group programs for the treatment of depression in people with intellectual disabilities and people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD);
• Understanding the treatment needs of offenders with intellectual disability and ASD, including drug and alcohol issues;
• Strategies to promote inclusion and participation, resilience and emotional health of children with disabilities and young people who are marginalised.
I am active in publishing and in HDR supervision, and I hold executive leadership roles in the Deakin Child Study Centre, and the Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED).
Teaching interests
During my 30+ years in the tertiary sector, l have maintained currency of practice as a Clinical Psychologist and an endorsed clinical supervisor. This has enabled me to enhance and contextualise the connection between theory and practice in teaching and clinical supervision. As the Director of the Professional Programs in the School of Psychology, l have oversight of the programs of training of psychologists as competent and ethical professionals. I am active in the implementation and evaluation of innovative teaching practices to enhance and to assess clinical competencies and I have achieved national recognition for excellence in university teaching. My teaching expertise includes the adaptation and delivery of psychological assessment and interventions across the lifespan and particularly for people with intellectual disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and cognitive impairments resulting from injury and aging.
Awards
• 2018 Deakin University, Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Team of the Year -The Risk Aware Team.
• 2017 Australian Awards for Excellence in University Teaching (AAUT). Australian Government, Department of Education and Training.
• 2017 The National Committee of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists - Research Grant Award.
• 2016 Office of Learning and Teaching Innovation and Development Grant – Risk Aware: Enhancing students’ clinical competence in risky environments.
• 2015 Commonwealth Office of Teaching and Learning – OLT citation for excellence in teaching. Deakin Psychiatric Simulation Program - for the establishment of a program that uses simulation-based teaching and authentic assessment methods to enhance mental health education.
• 2014 Deakin University WJC Banks Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Learning.
• 2014 Victorian Government People in Health – Metropolitan Educators Award for outstanding contribution to the training and development of current and future health workers.
• Distinguished Service Award (1992-2007) in appreciation of contribution and commitment as a member of the Intellectual Disability Review Panel - a quasi-judicial tribunal established under the provisions of the Intellectually Disabled Person's Services Act 1986.
• Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability 2001 National Research Prize for the most innovative contribution by an Australian author which resulted in positive life changes for people with an intellectual disability.
Publications
No publications found
Funded Projects at Deakin
No Funded Projects at Deakin found
Supervisions
Alexandra Flowers
Thesis entitled: Perinatal Mental Health: The Impact on Mother-Infant Bonding and Attachment
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Caitlin Robertson
Thesis entitled: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Forensic Aspects and Sentencing Considerations
Doctor of Psychology (Forensic), School of Psychology
Ashlie Reker
Thesis entitled: Deep Brain Stimulation Mediates Neurotrophin Signaling in an Animal Model of Antidepressant Resistance
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Monica Chester
Thesis entitled: Including play in a social skills intervention for children with autism
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Camille Joy Totterdell
Thesis entitled: Mealtime Behaviour among Children with Disabilities: Family Interactions and Stress
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Fiona Lynch
Thesis entitled: Understanding Hoarding Symptoms in Children with Comorbid ADHD
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Adam James Walker
Thesis entitled: Stress, dopamine, inflammation and energy regulation: Examining the nature of antidepressant-resistance and response.
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Belinda Alice Minett
Thesis entitled: Psychotropic Medication Use and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Caregiver and Individual Perspectives
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Lauren Elaine Gook
Thesis entitled: Offenders with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening, Characteristics and Staff Awareness
Doctor of Psychology (Forensic), School of Psychology
Ingrid Flight
Thesis entitled: Bridging the intention-behaviour gap in colorectal cancer screening
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Anna Devlin
Thesis entitled: Investigating Fitness to Drive in Older Drivers with Cognitive Impairment
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Lauren Hamilton
Thesis entitled: Overall Life Quality in Vasovagal Syncope
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Peter Gaitanis
Thesis entitled: The Health Promoting Behaviours of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Melis Aday
Thesis entitled: Special Interests and Emotional Health in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Emily Horwill
Thesis entitled: Adolescent and Pre-conception Risk Factors for Pregnancy-related Depression: A Prospective Study
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Shikkiah de Quadros-Wander
Thesis entitled: Perceived Control and Subjective Wellbeing in Older Adults
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Yoko Hayashi
Thesis entitled: Meaning in Life During the Midlife Development
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Yvonne Margaret Maxwell
Thesis entitled: Quality of Life: Influence on Prison Substance Misuse Treatment
Doctor of Psychology (Forensic), School of Psychology
Nicola Read
Thesis entitled: Anxiety, irritability and cognitive functioning in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Alexandra Schnabel
Thesis entitled: Post-traumatic stress disorder in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Rachel Elizabeth Waller
Thesis entitled: An Examination of Adolescent Sexual Behaviour, Knowledge and Education
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
David Demmer
Thesis entitled: Exploring gender differences in the prevalence of childhood externalising disorders
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Sunaina Seth
Thesis entitled: The Pathophysiology of Perinatal Mental Health: Cortisol, Utero-Placental Circulation, 11Beta-Hydroxysteroid-Dehydrogenase
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Rita George
Thesis entitled: Sexual Orientation and Gender-identity in High Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Michelle Stewart
Thesis entitled: Traumatic stress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Kerrie Ann Shandley
Thesis entitled: An investigation of the potential association between mercury and Autism Spectrum Disorder: an interdisciplinary approach
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Iskra Galic
Thesis entitled: Presentation and Dress among Individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Belinda Clare Davey
Thesis entitled: Examining problem gambling from a dual-process and incentive-sensitisation theory perspective
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Kayleigh Francis Young
Thesis entitled: The Mirror Meuron system and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Emily de Jager
Thesis entitled: Psychosocial Correlates of Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration to Six Months Postpartum
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Thomas Perkins
Thesis entitled: Function and Structure of the Mirror Neuron System in Autism
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Shakuntla Gondalia
Thesis entitled: Gastrointestinla Microbiota in Austistic Spectrum Disorder
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Jaclyn Broadbent
Thesis entitled: Perseveration in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Kathleen Martindale
Thesis entitled: An investigation into the subjective wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology
Victoria Miller
Thesis entitled: Investigating the Female Profile of Autism
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Belinda Goldsworthy
Thesis entitled: Relationship and Attraction among Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), School of Psychology
Celia Goncalves
Thesis entitled: An Integrative Model of Relationship Functioning
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
Sarah Nowoweiski
Thesis entitled: Mothers' and Fathers' Experiences of Complicated Childbirth
Doctor of Psychology (Health), School of Psychology
George Taleporos
Thesis entitled: Sexuality, Body Esteem and Physical Disability
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology), School of Psychology