About Dr C

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Short story

Currently reading:  Wings of Fire (The Poison Jungle).

Currently favourite past time: Netball and soccer, escape rooms, claw machines

Currently watching: House of Dragon (Season 2) and Brooklyn 99

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Qualifications

Bachelor of Psychology (Hons; University of New South Wales)

Master of Clinical Psychology (University of New South Wales)

PhD in Psychology (University of New South Wales)

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Professional Accreditation and Memberships

Full Registration as a generalist psychologist with AHPRA

Endorsed clinical psychologist

Fellow of the Clinical College Australian Psychological Society (FCCLP)

Member of Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA)

Member of Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

PEERS® Certified for Teens Social Skills

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The Long Story

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I commenced my psychology career by approaching a professor at the University of New South Wales during Information Day in 1997 and asked him about becoming a forensic psychologist. I told him that I would like to pursue serial killers like Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs.  He suggested I complete their undergraduate program first in Bachelor of Psychology before joining the FBI. 

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After finishing my Bachelor of Psychology, I met Professor-Fellow-Nerd Rick Richardson (PhD Supervisor) and completed a PhD in fear learning. I also enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology program. I found out during this time that I love working with parents and children, and not serial killers. 

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I completed my postdoctoral at the Centre for Emotional Health (Macquarie University) in childhood anxiety disorders and followed this with a permanent academic position at the Department of Educational Studies (Macquarie University; 2016-2020). During my years in academia, I published studies in parental factors in anxiety, children and fear learning, and more generally in mental health and education (see here). I was featured in Old People's Home for Teenagers (ABC ,Season 3), Old People's Home for 4 year olds (ABC, Season 2) , The Sydney Morning Herald , The Conversation, and ABC News for my research and clinical expertise. Due to growing demand in my private practice and consultancy work, I left academia in January 2020. 

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I work with the Black Dog Institute in a number of roles, with a focus on mental health literacy in the corporate/workplace sector. I hosted their Expert Insights monthly podcast from 2019-2022. In my clinical work, I have a special interest in childhood anxiety disorders and oppositional defiant disorder. I also enjoy treating complex OCD in children and adults.

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In my spare time, I travel and play soccer + netball on several teams ... badly. I'm also getting old, so you can ask me any trivia about X-Files, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Tudor history. I will likely have an overly detailed but correct answer for you. I love art and comedians, because what they do requires a great deal of dedication and vision. I am currently involved in a Duo Lingo challenge (French) in order to prepare for an upcoming trip overseas. I can now say "I am a Spanish horse, and you?" fluently ("Je suis un cheval Espagnol. Et toi?").  Duo (le chouette) has a strange obsession with horses, Spain, oranges, and cars (voiture).