APS College of Clinical Psychologists
2009 NSW/VIC CCLIN Conference
Facets of trauma: Understanding and treating complicated trauma cases
31 July 2009, VIBE Hotel Sydney
The diversity of contexts and comorbidities associated with the experience of trauma adds greatly to the complexity of providing clinical care for those affected. These facets of trauma are the focus of this one-day conference, in which we will explore some specific contexts in which trauma may occur as well as some important comorbidities that complicate both the assessment and management of the case. Join us for a stimulating series of presentations and discussions from experts in the field, and enjoy a post-conference networking session with your colleagues.
Our speakers
- Professor Richard Bryant, University of New South Wales
- Ms Catherine Cahill Cade Clinic (RNSH) and Traumatic Stress Clinic, Westmead
- Dr Lucy Kenny, Traumatic Stress Clinic, Westmead
- Ms Martha Knox Haly, MKA Risk
- Mr David Mutton, University of Western Sydney
- Dr Claudia Sannibale, University of New South Wales and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
- Dr Kathryn Taylor, Murdoch University
Professor Richard Bryant, FAPS
Richard Bryant PhD is a Scientia Professor in the School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, and is Director of the Traumatic Stress Clinic, Westmead Hospital. His research has focused on acute psychological responses to trauma. He has conducted many prospective studies of posttraumatic stress response, developed assessment measures of acute stress disorder, conducted multiple controlled trials of acute stress disorder, studied the impact of traumatic brain injury on PTSD, and conducted studies of biological and cognitive factors that influence psychological adaptation after trauma. He has published 250 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has served as a consultant to many civilian and military agencies on managing trauma reactions.
Catherine Cahill is a clinical psychologist working in private practice at the Cade Clinic (RNSH) and at Westmead Hospital. She is also undertaking a PhD at the University of Sydney, investigating the cognitive profile of bipolar disorder during adolescence.
Catherine completed a Masters degree in clinical psychology at the University of New South Wales while carrying out research into the assessment of bipolar disorder. Subsequent to this, she began working clinically in the area of trauma, in the Traumatic Stress Clinic at Westmead Hospital and she has recently started a private practice in Bondi Junction. Her clinical roles include the implementation of cutting edge treatments for complicated grief and PTSD in specialist populations including populations with chronic pain conditions.
Catherine is a member of the Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the Australian Psychological Society, the Psychological Society of Ireland and the International Society of Bipolar Disorders.
Dr Lucy Kenny is a clinical psychologist who has been working at the Traumatic Stress Clinic at Westmead since 2003. Her experience with trauma survivors resulted in an interest in the commonly co-morbid presentation of complicated grief. This interest has culminated in the development of new protocol for the assessment and treatment of both PTSD and complicated grief. Implementation of these protocols has resulted in a better understanding of the complicated interplay between posttraumatic stress and grief responses.
Martha Knox Haly is an organisational psychologist and author of the book How to stop your workplace going pearshaped. Ms Knox Haly's writing and practice is based on consultancy and investigations to almost a thousand Australian workplaces. She has close to twenty years experience as a practitioner and researcher in managing, assessing and understanding the relationships between clinical psychological conditions and workplace management systems. Her particular areas of specialisation are prevention occupational stress, prevention of bullying and performance management systems. Prior to registration in 1995, Ms Knox Haly was employed as a senior researcher for the Australian Centre for Industrial Relations Research and Teaching, Sydney University. She has provided guest lectures at Sydney University, Macquarie University and University of Western Sydney. In the last two years, Ms Knox Haly has been on academic staff at Sydney University's Faculty of Economics, where she lectures in strategic human resources, human resources risk mitigation and recruitment. Ms Knox Haly is close to completing her fifth degree, her doctorate, which is an examination of the links between public policy and stress claims within the NSW public service.
David Mutton is Senior Lecturer and Head of the Post Graduate Master of Psychology programs at the University of Western Sydney, Bankstown Campus. He was appointed to UWS in July 2001. Prior to this appointment, he has worked in the NSW Police Psychology Section for 11 years. He was appointed to the position of Senior Psychologist in 1990 and then took up the position of Chief Psychologist in charge in 1995. During this period, David provided psychological assistance to many major emergencies including the Thredbo land slide, Port Arthur massacre and the Glenbrook rail disaster. As part of his duties, he provided psychological services to undercover police, the hostage negotiators, crime science examiners and other specialist investigative police. David is especially experienced and an expert in the treatment and diagnosis of stress related conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder and critical incident stress management. He is also an experienced trainer mainly in the areas of stress and trauma management, communication skills and peer support programs. Over the past three years, David has become involved in conducting Domestic Abuse Groups for male perpetrators of domestic violence for the NSW Probation and Parole Service. Through this experience, he is recognised as an expert in domestic abuse and its treatment. From 1980 to 1990, he was both a psychologist and senior psychologist with the NSW Department of Corrective Services. Through this experience, David has developed expertise in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of offending behaviour, and is an authority in organisational issues relating to correctional environments. David has extensive experience in the testing and selection of staff members in an organisational context gained through the Corrective Services and the NSW Police. He is former Chair of the NSW Section of the College of Forensic Psychologists and has been an active member and office bearer of the Australian Psychological Society since 1989.
Claudia Sannibale is a Research Fellow at National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (UNSW) and Senior Clinical Psychologist at Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (SSWAHS). She has more than 20 years of clinical and research experience with individuals with alcohol and other substances use problems. Her recent work, in collaboration with colleagues at RPA, NDARC, Macquarie University, and the University of Melbourne has focused on developing and testing treatment for alcohol and psychiatric comorbidity, and anxiety disorders in particular. Dr Sannibale is currently leading a treatment trial of the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy for alcohol misuse and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Kathryn Taylor holds a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Master of Science, and Bachelor of Science Honours Class I from the University of Sydney and Bachelor of Social Science (Asian Studies) from the University of NSW. She was awarded the School of Psychology Prize in the final year of her doctorate. As a clinical psychologist, Kathryn has worked in private practice and in the public sector. At the Traumatic Stress Clinic, she gained experience in the research and treatment of PTSD and complicated grief. She has worked with adults, including members of the police force, who have experienced assaults, life-threatening accidents, and natural disasters. She has also worked with homeless persons in Sydney and London. Currently, Kathryn is collaborating with Murdoch University and the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre on an evaluation of Mission Australia’s homeless services. She is the author of the book Far From Home: Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Homeless Adults in Sydney (2008). Kathryn is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society Clinical College and the Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Program
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8.30–8.55am |
Registration |
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Session One |
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9–10am |
Professor Richard Bryant: Traumatic Brain Injury & PTSD There is currently much debate over the extent to which PTSD can develop after mild traumatic brain injury, and is it the same as PTSD without TBI. This debate has been fuelled by the rates of TBI and PTSD in the wake of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This review will outline the evidence for PTSD after TBI, discuss differences between PTSD with and without TBI, and outline the issue of postconcussive syndrome and how it is influenced by stress reactions. The review will also address issues about treatment of PTSD following TBI and how treatment approaches need to be adapted to meet the needs of TBI patients. |
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10–10.45am |
Dr Lucy Kenny: PTSD & Grief Responses to bereavement and loss represent an area which is currently the focus of more research attention. Convergent research now suggests that complicated grief is a clearly distinguishable diagnosis that frequently co-occurs with PTSD. This talk will include a brief summary of the symptoms and features of complicated grief and a discussion of the factors which should be considered when assessing for PTSD in the context of bereavement. We will then turn our attention to how well established Cognitive Behavioural treatments for PTSD can be adapted for the treatment of PTSD in the context of bereavement and complicated grief. |
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10.45–11.15am |
Morning Tea |
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11.15am–12pm |
Ms Catherine Cahill: PTSD & Pain Following a traumatic event, many people experience difficulties such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, grief and traumatic brain injury. A subset of people may experience chronic pain due to injuries or the effect of surgery following the trauma. Therapeutic strategies for managing PTSD in the context of chronic pain will be discussed, with an emphasis on the factors that mediate successful treatment outcome. In addition, the influence of chronic pain on the components of successful therapy for PTSD will be explored using case examples for illustration. |
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12–12.15 |
Q & A |
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12.15–1.30pm |
Lunch (served in the Curve Restaurant) |
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Session Two |
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1.30–2.15pm |
Ms Martha Knox Haly: Organisational aspects of bullying and PTSD Ms Knox Haley will explain the case law context for bullying in the workplace, and outline the relevant aspects of due process and appropriate workplace management. Using four case studies, she will explore how bullying issues are managed by the various workplace processes, such as industrial relations and workers compensation, different relational contexts, and how clinicians should work with the varying sources of evidence and perspectives among those involved. |
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2.15–3pm |
Mr David Mutton: Management of bullying and PTSD David will explore the nature and treatment of bullying in the workplace. He will explore the different ways in which bullying is expressed in the workplace, and the effects on those involved. He will review the important components of psychological interventions for those experiencing workplace bullying and in particular development of key interpersonal skills required to respond effectively to the workplace bully. |
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3–3.30 |
Afternoon Tea |
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Session Three |
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3.30–4.15 |
Dr Kathryn Taylor: PTSD and the homeless High rates of trauma experience and psychological morbidity among homeless adults are well-established. It is not surprising, therefore, that international studies reveal a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this group. In a study of 56 homeless men and women in Sydney, Taylor and Sharpe (2008) found 98.2% had experienced trauma. The average number of traumas per person was six. In this sample, 78.6% met criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD and half had a current diagnosis. In 70.5% of cases, PTSD preceded or coincided with the onset of homelessness. In this study it was found that posttraumatic cognitions mediated the relationship between early maladaptive schemas and PTSD symptom severity. These findings have implications for interventions for homeless adults who have a history of trauma, as well as for people who are at risk of homelessness. A multi-disciplinary approach is required and cognitive therapy may be effective, but there are numerous practical and clinical challenges. Mission Australia has adopted an innovative approach to helping homeless men, which may provide a useful framework for treatment. |
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4.15–5pm |
Dr Claudia Sannibale: Integrating treatment for PTSD and alcohol use problems People with posttraumatic stress disorder are at increased risk of developing alcohol and other substance use problems. Once established, these problems are unlikely to resolve without specialised treatment. Although effective treatment is available for each problem alone, little is known about how to best treat these problems when they co-occur. Research is currently underway at National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre to identify efficacious treatment for individuals with PTSD who drink at harmful levels. This presentation describes the sample characteristics and treatment process of individuals recruited to a randomised controlled trial of treatment for PTSD and alcohol use problems. |
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5–6pm |
Join us for drinks and canapés Enjoy an opportunity to network with your colleagues and discuss matters of shared interest |
Professional development points
7 Specialist Points (Clinical Colleges) or 7 Generalist Points.
Registration
Earlybird registration is available until 30 June 2009. Registration fees include morning and afternoon tea, and lunch.
| Earlybird registration | Standard registration | |
| APS Clinical College Members | $180 | $200 |
| Non-members | $225 | $250 |
| APS Student Members | $90 | $100 |
The drinks and canapés networking event is sponsored by the NSW Clinical College, but registration is required in order to attend this.
Venue
111 Goulburn Street,
Sydney, NSW 2000
p: +61 2 8272 3300
f: +61 2 9211 1806
e: vhgs@vibehotels.com.au
Vibe is the fresh alternative to traditional hotels, reflecting a contemporary lifestyle at unbeatable value. Every aspect of the Vibe brand reflects a contemporary lifestyle: the guest rooms are stylish and comfortable, the food light and modern, Vibe people are friendly and upbeat, and Vibe pricing represents great value for money. A new concept for the Australian market, Vibe Hotels are driven by customer taste, customer style, customer wants and wishes. It's all about giving people the freedom to choose, create and inhabit their own personal vibe. Vibe Hotel Sydney is a unique Sydney hotel offering chic accommodation in the heart of Sydney, Vibe Hotel Sydney exudes the style of this fantastic city. Our Sydney hotel is perfectly positioned for you to easily discover Sydney's vibrant CBD fringe villages of Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Chinatown and our Sydney entertainment precinct offering live theatre and music year round.
How to get here
The Vibe Hotel Sydney is centrally located, close to Hyde Park, Central Station and China Town. Download map 
Public transport: The venue is easily accessible by public transport, including buses, trains and light rail. Further details are available from http://www.131500.com.au/ and http://www.metrolightrail.com.au/
Parking: Tokens are available from the hotel for discounted parking (www.vibehotels.com.au/default.asp?page=/about-vibe/vibe-parking) in the Wilsons Parking station on Goulburn Street (www.wilsonparking.com.au/go/wilson-car-parks/nsw/goulburn-street-parking-station)
Further information
General inquiries can be directed to Karen Butler at the APS: k.butler@psychology.org.au.
Conference convenors:
- Dr Kathryn Nicholson Perry, University of Western Sydney
k.nicholsonperry@uws.edu.au
Alice Shires, University of New South Wales
a.shires@psy.unsw.edu.au
Booksellers
| www.gleebooks.com.au |  |
| www.acer.edu.au |  |
| www.footprint.com.au |  |
