Dr Deborah Spermon

Speaker

Ph.D, With some 30 years working in the field of mental health, Deborah has developed a special interest in working with people who have survived experiences of severe childhood maltreatment. She first worked with those who have been hospitalized with chronic mental illnesses, then in the community as a psychotherapist working with individuals and complex families at risk. More recently, she has been involved in research at the University of Queensland, Australia investigating recovery patterns of those with histories of trauma and dissociation, and in teaching counselling skills. Other interests include exploring remote areas of the planet including the Antarctic, the Arctic and the deserts of Australia. Publications include: Spermon, D., Darlington, Y., & Gibney, P. (Submitted). Complex posttraumatic stress disorder: Patient voices of healing. Qualitative Health Research Journal. Spermon, D., Darlington, Y., & Gibney, P. (2010). Psychodynamic psychotherapy for complex trauma: Targets, focus, applications and outcomes. Psychology Research and Behaviour Management, 3, 119-127. Spermon, D., Gibney, P. B., & Darlington, Y. (2009). Complex trauma, dissociation, and the use of symbolism in therapy. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 10, 436-450.