Dr J. Sabura Allen

Biography

I received a MS and PhD in clinical psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. I worked in psychology clinics in the United States. After moving to Melbourne in 1998, I was a clinical psychologist in the adult public mental health system in Victoria. This variety of clinic settings has given me a broad range of experience with adult clients, disorder types, treatment modalities, and assessment contexts.

In 2002, I joined Monash University to be involved with the training of clinical psychologists, as well as expanding earlier research interests.

On a more personal level, I do have a husband, three kids, and a dog. I actually did finish a mini-triathalon in order to tell my grandchildren. My first name Janice actually means “God’s gift” and Sabura means “patience.” I do not have an evil twin.

Professional Activities

Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Secretary & Public Officer
Australian Psychological Society, Member
APS College of Clinical Psychologists, Member
Human Behavior and Evolution Society, Member
Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria, Clinical Psychologist, Reg. No. 5764

Research Interests

Evolutionary perspective of attachment, reproductive behaviour, and psychopathology -- How do sexual and romantic choices reflect underlying mating strategies, life experience, and psychological concerns?

Borderline personality disorder - How does the experience of BPD symptoms influence perceptions of the environment differently as compared to others not experiencing such symptoms.

Postgraduate Research Projects

Current doctoral students have research projects in both areas of research interests.

Teaching

Teaching and assessment of students related to coursework in the post-graduate clinical psychology doctoral program. Areas of student training include administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological assessment techniques, and general theoretical background and delivery of cognitive-behavioural treatments.

Grant Support

2004. Monash Small Grant: Mentoring Grant Project Title: An Exploration of the Relationship Among Sexual Behaviour, Depressed Mood, and Attachment, Project No. 2004/096. Investigators: Dr. J. Sabura Allen and Professor James Ogloff.

Publications

Allen, JS (2005). Attachment and Psychological Symptoms (Anxiety, Depression, and Eating Concerns) as Predictors of Sociosexuality. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society, Austin, Texas, USA.

Allen JS (2005). Treatment of Self-Invalidation: A case study targeting a quality-of-life interfering behaviour using modified CBT techniques. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Australian Association of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Melbourne, Australia.

Allen, JS & Bailey, KG (2004). The Relation of Depression to Mating and Sexual Behaviours. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society, Berlin, Germany.

Allen, JS & Bailey, KG (2004). Reproductive strategies and reproductive tactics: An exploratory factor analysis in young women. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Human Behaviour and Evolution Society, Berlin, Germany.

Allen, N.B., & Allen, J.S., (1999). What “works” in psychotherapy with borderline patients? (Comment on Meares, etl al.). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33, 478-479.