Psychological trauma is one of the leading causes of disease, disability and 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, 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 Master of Professional Psychology and Masters of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University, and hold an Adjunct Associate Professor position with Monash’s School of Rural Health.   

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.

I am an Associate Professor 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. 

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. 

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.

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.