Alexander De Foe is a Lecturer in Counselling within the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling. His research centres on altered states of consciousness within cross-cultural and developmental contexts. He initially completed his PhD at Monash University in 2016 on embodied cognition and principles of human perception. Afterward, he completed an industry fellowship at RMIT University, where he co-established a Virtual Reality (VR) and mental health laboratory in the Psychology discipline.

He adopts a "knowledge synthesis" outlook to the research-teaching nexus, encouraging students to take a critical mindset on mental health and wellbeing; one inclusive of broader developmental and cultural frameworks. In his teaching/research/practice, he draws upon evidence from a range of schools of thought, such as modern psychodynamic (e.g., archetypal psychology) and transpersonal practice models.

Presently, Dr De Foe is involved in numerous research activities at Monash and across institutes internationally, broadly examining theories of consciousness as they relate to various sensory/perceptual phenomena, psychedelic states, and psycho-spiritual development. He has published over 30 scientific papers, his work has been cited over 700 times (Google scholar), and he has been involved in numerous foundational as well as Category 2 and 3 funded projects. He serves currently as an Associate Editor at the Journal of Psychedelic Studies.

Recent grants:

The relationship between temporal lobe lability and anomalous cognition: EUR40,000 via BIAL Foundation Portugal (PI3, Cat3, 2023-2026) in parapsychology and psychophysiology

Human Observer Detection Performance: 792,000 via Defence Science and Technology Group (PI4, Cat2, 2019-2023) in human perception and performance

Dr De Foe has supervised a number of PhD, masters, and honours students.

Available projects:

• Developmental/educational psychology projects focused on adult lifespan, with health-related variables including mindfulness, meditation, and pivotal states of consciousness
• Experimental psychology projects focused on sensation and perception, including health-based applications of embodiment practices, ASMR, and other sensory modalities
• Projects centred on expanded states of consciousness, meaning-making, and existential factors in human development

Prior/current supervisions:

Examples of papers/studies published from prior supervisions

• The Influence of Psychedelic Experiences upon Self-Identity amongst Autistic Adults
• Trauma, Memory and Sleep: Underlying Mechanisms and Processing Pathways
• Does Executive Function Mitigate Theory of Mind (ToM) and Phenomenal Consciousness?
• Putting Our Self Back Together: Self Practices for the Narcissistic Disorders of the Self
• Clinical Evaluation of Electroacupuncture Combined with Mindfulness Meditation for Weight Management
• Defining and Addressing Research-Level and Therapist-Level Barriers to Virtual Reality Therapy Implementation in Mental Health Settings

Dr De Foe teaches predominantly into the Master of Counselling. He co-developed the specialist counselling studies units 'Learning and career counselling' and 'Telehealth and technology in counselling', introducing comparative models of constructivist v assessment-oriented careers coaching, and an emphasis on modern artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the broader public mental health landscape, respectively.

He also teaches into expert studies in counselling practice, including 'Cognitive behavioural therapies: Assessment and intervention' and orientation to counselling units, including 'Counselling for change and transition'.

Dr De Foe presently serves as a Board Director at the Australian Centre for Consciousness Studies (ACCS), where he advises on best practice counselling approaches in areas intersecting altered states and mental health. He also maintains supporting advisory roles at numerous partner organisations nationally and internationally, including the Australian Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Practitioners and the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium.

Prior to undertaking a full-time academic post, his clinical background encompassed supporting clients within an advocacy framework, with experience in domestic/family violence and alcohol / other drugs clinical environments. His counselling-based qualifications include a Master in Counselling, Diploma of Counselling, and Narrative Practice certification completed at the Dulwich Centre.