Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Psychological trauma is one of the leading causes of disease, disability and social disadvantage across the lifespan. Trauma in childhood affects social, learning, emotional and behavioural processes, leading to risk-taking and health risk behaviours, welfare dependence and obesity, heart disease, stroke and early death in adulthood.
My research focuses on the lifelong implications of adverse childhood experiences, trauma and interventions to support children and families exposed to stress and trauma. I lead research on disasters, refugees, out-of-home care, disability, COVID-19, regional and rural adversity, and stress and trauma in early childhood, primary and secondary schools, and tertiary settings.
The focus of my work is to apply and embed trauma-informed practice and interventions into the day-to-day operations of organisations and school communities. I have published widely in this area and seek to translate trauma research into accessible policy and practice recommendations for schools and frontline workers.
I am endorsed with the Psychology Board of Australia as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Board-approved Supervisor. I also teach in the Masters of Professional Psychology and Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, and hold an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow position with Monash’s School of Rural Health.
Research interests
My research interests include child mental health and academic outcomes, self-injury and suicidal behaviour, child trauma and posttraumatic stress, disadvantaged children and children in out-of-home care, domestic violence and childhood outcomes, teacher education and supervision, and trauma-informed practices.
Monash teaching commitment
I am a Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology within the Faculty of Education, Monash University. My teaching commitments are across the Masters of Professional Psychology and Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology courses and include:
- EDF5569 - Advanced Practice in Educational and Developmental Psychology - Chief Examiner, Unit Coordinator and Lecturer
- EDF5563 - Cognitive Assessment - Chief Examiner, Unit Coordinator and Lecturer
I also undertake research supervision of Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology, Graduate Diploma in Professional Psychology and PhD students.
Supervision interests
I take on research supervision of honours, masters and PhD students within the areas of child and adult trauma, trauma-informed practice and interventions, self-injury and suicidal behaviour, disadvantaged children and families, children in out-of-home care, domestic violence, therapeutic interventions, and teacher education and school-wide support.
Clinical activities
I am a registered and endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist and board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia, and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists (MCEDP). I have worked as a psychologist in school, hospital and private practice settings delivering mental health diagnosis and treatment to children and families.
I have experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorder, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression and other mood disorders, school refusal and adjustment related issues, eating disorders, self-injury and suicidal behaviour, and other behavioural, social and emotional concerns in children.
Consulting
I offer education and supervision to teachers and mental health professionals regarding childhood trauma interventions and management in schools, school policy development regarding high-risk behaviours and trauma among students, self-injury and suicidal behaviour and interventions in schools, and assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of psychological, academic, social and behavioural concerns of children.
I also offer consultancy regarding research methods and evaluation of school-based interventions concerning childhood trauma, self-injury and suicidal behaviour, disadvantaged and vulnerable children, disengaged children and children in out-of-home care, academic performance and post-school outcomes, and parent and teacher education and supervision.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Research area keywords
- child mental health
- self-injury
- resilience
- posttraumatic stress
- teacher training
- child trauma
- trauma-informed schools
- domestic violence
- suicide
- disasters
- disadvantage
- poverty
- educating for diversity and inclusion
- enhancing health and wellbeing
- transforming teaching and learning
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Independent Evaluation of the Supporting Recovery Pilot (SRP)
Berger, E. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Cowlishaw, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Harris, B. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Pfitzner, N. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McGaw, V. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Blewitt, C. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Le, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Tan, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sanjakdar, F. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Lambert, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), McGowan, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Elvins, C. (Project Manager)
3/02/25 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
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Trauma-informed pedagogy and practice in tertiary settings
Berger, E. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)) & Nolan, H. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/01/25 → 31/01/26
Project: Research
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Equity-Focused Multi-tiered Systems of Support: Developing Differentiated Disciplinary and Intersectional Practices for Students with Disabilities from Priority Equity Groups.
Krishnamoorthy, G. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Wheeler, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Ayre, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), March, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Tualaulelei, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Trimmer, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mullens, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Brömdal, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Berger, E. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Leif, E. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/01/25 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Improvement of school indoor air quality and children's health
Guo, Y. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Li, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Abramson, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Dharmage, S. C. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Carroll, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Berger, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Gao, C. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Song, J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Chang, V. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Zhou, J. (Associate Investigator (AI))
1/08/22 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
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The Development of a School Cultural Congruity Measure
Allen, K.-A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Scull, J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Reupert, A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Berger, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Bowles, T. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Uddin , M. K. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Salim Miah, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Kikas, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Shults, A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Omarashvili, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Mikaia, N. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Khundzakishvili, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Hatzichristou, C. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Soni, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Matteucci, M. C. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Brown-Earle, O. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Iida, J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Watanabe, Y. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Martinsone, B. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Raižienė, S. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Bartolo, P. A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Martinelli, V. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Raykov, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Sohn McCormick, A. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Taj, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Melo, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Dinca, M. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Birle, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gajdosova, B. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Benka, J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Orosova, O. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Sabová, L. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Demkaninova, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gajdosova, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Daniels, B. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Collair, L. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Moodley, T. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Schad, E. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Palikara, O. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Rocha Neves, J. (Associate Investigator (AI)), La Salle, T. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Jimerson, S. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Weber, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mittelstet, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Zhang, C. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Long, A. (Associate Investigator (AI))
29/02/20 → …
Project: Research
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Adolescent school belonging and substance use in young adulthood: findings from a multi-wave prospective cohort study
Allen, K.-A., Greenwood, C. J., Berger, E., Reupert, A., Wurf, G., Rajendran, N., Warton, W., O’Connor, M., Sanson, A., Olsson, C. A. & Letcher, P., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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A scoping review of the program components, practice components, and outcomes of behaviour support programs delivered to children and young people in out-of-home care
Abayakoon Stanborough, M., Stanborough, M., Berger, E., Warren, J., Allen, K.-A. & Leif, E., Jun 2025, In: Children and Youth Services Review. 173, 14 p., 108321.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Belonging in their words: exploring early childhood perspectives using the draw, write, tell method
Allen, K.-A., Berger, E., McLean, L., Leif, E., Warton, W., Tuck, D., Hammer, M. & Fleer, M., 16 Feb 2025, In: Australian Journal of Psychology. 77, 1, 13 p., 2463949.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Cross-disciplinary collaboration to promote trauma-informed practices in early childhood and primary education
Sun, Y., Skouteris, H., Tamblyn, A., Berger, E. & Blewitt, C., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Trauma, Violence, and Abuse. 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Embedding coaching and local education champions in implementing trauma informed practice
Krishnamoorthy, G., Antonaglia, D., Dallinger, V., Berger, E., March, S., Ong, S., Sherman, K., Goodwin, N., Eiby, N., Rees, B., Koslouski, J. & Ayre, K., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Psychology in the Schools. 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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Australian Postgraduate Award
Berger, Emily (Recipient), 2011
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Australian Scholarship Group Travel Grant Award
Berger, Emily (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Postgraduate Student Researcher Award
Berger, Emily (Recipient), 2010
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Activities
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Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists Annual Conference 2023
Allen, K.-A. (Session chair), Berger, E. (Speaker), Coyne, J. (Speaker), Gindidis, S. (Speaker), Hyde, C. (Speaker), Kallady, K. (Speaker), Morris, Z. (Speaker), Wilkinson, C. (Speaker) & Wurf, G. (Speaker)
17 Feb 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Monash Submission the the Senate Education and Employment References Committee: The issue of increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms
Leif, E. (Fellow), Reupert, A. (Fellow), Allen, K.-A. (Fellow), Berger, E. (Fellow), Bloomfield, B. S. (Fellow), Lea, S. (Fellow), Rabba, A. S. (Fellow), Disney, L. (Fellow), Babaeff, R. (Fellow) & Fox, R. (Fellow)
2023Activity: External Academic Engagement › Submissions to industry or govt committees, commissions and inquiries
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Trauma-aware schooling conference: Presentation
Emily Berger (Organiser)
10 Sept 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to conference
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Trauma-informed practice for children experiencing serious medical or mental illness
Emily Berger (Contributor) & Karen E. Martin (Contributor)
13 Jul 2022Activity: Community Talks, Presentations, Exhibitions and Events › Public lecture/debate/seminar
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Trauma-aware schooling conference: Pre-conference seminar
Emily Berger (Organiser)
9 Sept 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Contribution to workshop, seminar, course
Press/Media
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School belonging – students tell us what they need
Allen, K.-A., Berger, E., Reupert, A., Patlamazoglou, L. & Gamble, N.
26/01/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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10 tips to improve students’ school attendance
15/02/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Resilience at work: Vicarious trauma in teaching and practical classroom strategies
19/10/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Let’s Get Uni Students Face-to-face Again – For Their Mental Health
Tuck, D. N., Berger, E., Wiley, J. & Patlamazoglou, L.
19/10/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature
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Childhood trauma and its impact
Emily Berger & Karen E. Martin
30/06/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Article/Feature