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Dr. Cate Bearsley-Smith

Dr. Cate Bearsley-Smith

Biography

I received my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Child, Adolescent and Family) from Latrobe University in 2003. I have worked as a clinical psychologist since this time, specialising in child, adolescent and family work. In January 2005 I began a 0.4 position with Monash University, based at the Regional Clinical School in Traralgon. Working as a clinical academic allows me to engage in my three professional interests - clinical practice, research and teaching in the area of child and adolescent psychology.

Email Dr Cate Bearsley-Smith

Academic Qualifications

Monash University, 1996: Bachelor of Science (Psychology and Pharmacology) Monash University, 1996: Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) Deakin University, 1997: Bachelor of Science Honours (Psychology), First Class La Trobe University, 2003: Doctorate in Clinical Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology (DPsych)

Awards

  • APS Award for Top Honours Psychology Honours Student at Deakin University, 1997

Professional Activities

  • Clinical assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and their families
  • Supervision of probationary psychologists
  • Full member of the Australian Psychological Society
  • Member of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists
  • Member of the Association of Contextual and Behavioral Science (ACBS)
  • ACT peer supervision group facilitator
  • IPT-A peer supervision group facilitator
  • Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria, Reg. No. 6074

Research Interests

My interests relate broadly to the improvement in subjective wellbeing of adolescents, parents, children, professional care-givers (e.g. teachers, mental health workers), and people pursuing personal development/life change. Adolescent risk of homelessness is a specific research interest I have. Particular interventions of interest to me include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).

Teaching

My teaching is primarily with medical students in their psychological medicine rotation within the Gippsland Regional Clinical School.

Grant Support

2006. Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley Brown, M., Reddy, P., Frances, K., Sellick, K., & Chesters, J. beyondblue grant: Does Interpersonal Psychotherapy improve clinical care for adolescents with depression attending a rural child and adolescent mental health service? A feasibility study. $52,066

Publications

Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley-Browne, M., Sellick, K., Villanueva, E., Chesters, J., Francis, K. & Reddy, P. (2007) Does Interpersonal Psychotherapy improve clinical care for adolescents with depression attending a rural child and adolescent mental health service?  Study protocol for a cluster randomised feasibility trial.  BioMed Central Psychiatry, 7:53

Bearsley-Smith, C., Bond, L. M., Littlefield, L. & Thomas, L. R. (2008) The psychosocial profile of adolescent risk of homelessness. European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 17:226-234

Bearsley-Smith, C., Sellick, K., Chesters, K. & Francis, K. (2008) Treatment Content in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Development of the Treatment Recording Sheet.  Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 35(5):423-435

Bearsley-Smith, C., Chesters, J., Sellick, K. & Francis, K. (2008) Preparing for a clinical trial in a rural Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.  Letter to the Editor. Australasian Psychiatry, 16(6):457-458

Boyd, C., Hayes, L., Wilson, R., Bearsley-Smith, C.  (2008)  Harnessing the social capital of rural communities for youth mental health: An asset-based community development framework.  Australian Journal of Rural Health, 16(4):189-193

Bearsley, C. & Cummins, R. (1999) No place like home: life quality and purpose of homeless youths. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 8(4):207-226, Kluwer Academic, New York

Conference Presentations

Bearsley-Smith, C.  (2008)  Diagnoses Give and Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Amongst Adolescent Females Presenting to a Rural Mental Health Service.  3rd International Congress on Women’s Mental Health.  Melbourne, March 19-21.  Poster presentation

Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley Browne, M., Sellick, K., Chesters, J., Villanueva, E., Francis, K., Reddy, P.  (2007).  Linking evidence and practice in the treatment of adolescent depression – A collaborative community and university innovation in Gippsland.  Recovering in Gippsland – First Gippsland Mental Health Conference, Churchill, Oct.  Paper presentation

Bearsley-Smith, C., Oakley Browne, M., Sellick, K., Villanueva, E., Chesters, J., Francis, K., Reddy, P. (2007)  IPT for Adolescent Depression – Trial protocol for rural CAMHS.  Australasian Society for Psychiatry Research Conference, Nov 29-30.  Melbourne.  Poster presentation

Bearsley-Smith, C., & Oakley Browne, M. (2006) Heeding the call to evidence based practice: Implications for mental health services. TheMHS conference,Townsville, Aug.  Paper presentation

Bearsley, C., Littlefield, L., Bond, L., & Thomas, L. (2002).  Psychosocial profile of adolescents at risk of homelessness.  Australian Psychological Society Inaugural Relationships Conference, Melbourne.

Paper presentation

Bearsley, C., & Cummins, R. (1998).  Life quality and purpose of homeless youths.   Australian Psychological Society Conference, Melbourne.  Paper presentation