Together Apart BAHRA ACS: Assyrian youth from Syria and Iraq Zoom meetings

Group Work with Asylum Seeker and Refugee Children in Nauru.

Assessment and Programme Evaluation Issues in Early Childhood Work With 0-6 Year Olds from Refugee Families.

Basic-Life-Skills: A Group Training for Refugee Minors.

Skills -Training of Affect Regulation – a Culture-Sensitive Approach (STARC): Development and Evaluation of a Transdiagnostic Group Program for Traumatized Refugees.

Counselling in Motion: STARTTS Capoeira Angola Project Bantu.

Woven: Weaving Connections across Cultures.

Building the Capacity to Support People from Refugee Backgrounds with Reflective Practice: Progress and Challenges.

Finding Wellbeing through Cultural Strengths, Empowerment and Trauma Healing: a group for Congolese single women resettling in a regional Australian town.

Oedipus and the Couple

While Freud made the Oedipus complex the linchpin of his theory of the development of the structure of the personality (id, ego, superego), post-Freudians have tended to focus on earlier anxieties.  Klein, in particular, while acknowledging the presence of oedipal anxieties in infants, tended to focus on early mother-infant relationships in her analytic work.

Embodied Imagination

Group Work with Asylum Seeker and Refugee Children in Nauru.

Dreams and visions

“In this brief transit where the dreams cross”: this fragment from the poem Ash Wednesday by T.S.Eliot leads into considerations of the remarkable human capacity to make personal sense out

Processing traumatic memories in dreams

Dreams are singularly subjective mental experiences that can help one understand unconscious mental processes, experience feelings, memories, wishes, fantasies, confl icts, impulses and defenses,

A history of the theory of dreams.

Dreaming pathways in psychotherapy. 'Shamanic Dreamwork'

How to use shamanic dreamwork an aproach to resources of our client's soul. All humans, in every culture and every country, dream...every night. During dreaming more areas of the brain are active

Clinical dream incubation and body

For 1000 years during the beginning of Western medicine (500 B.C. - 500 A.D.,) of the hundreds of medical treatments offered at the time, only dream-based medicine was ubiquitously practiced throughout

Healing images, healing stories, a new dreaming

Although there have been major breakthroughs in health and medical technology, there remains a significant gap in life outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Australia. An increased focus on treating 'disease'

On being a fast-paced dreamer: how therapist and patient dream and talk in the changing relationship of therapy.

A long-term patient described her therapist as a 'fast-paced dreamer'. The sense seems to be of the therapist as holding conscious and unconscious, participating in the patient's inner world, creating

Dreaming as world view

The concept of 'worldview' has been relatively neglected in modern psychiatric literature, especially in contributions from the English-speaking world. Yet it clearly has significance for well-being

Supporting Young People from Syria and Iraq - Lessons from the Ucan2 Program.

Why Children from Refuge Backgrounds are not Accessing Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Queensland and What We Can Do About It.

Developing a Community of Practice in Child & Youth Refugee Mental Health.

Supporting Wellbeing and Social Inclusion for Young People of Refugee Backgrounds: evaluation of the Ucan2 Program.

Assisting Young People of Refugee Background Build Career Aspirations in Early Settlement.

Healing at Holroyd: a successful model supporting refugee students.

Psychoeducation as resilience-building for asylum-children with traumatized parents

The Red Cross in Denmark are receiving most of the people applying for asylum in Denmark since 1984.  We are a group of psychologists and social-workers  who have been working with the challenge of saving peoples natural resilience through different approaches and psycho-social work.

Limits in Neurofeedback Rehabilitation: What we need to know

The Intersection of Psychodynamic Psychology and Electroencephalography (EEG)

Addressing Opioid Addiction Using Advanced Neuromodulation Techniques

Neurofeedback Program at STARTTS: What lessons we have learned and where from now.

Evidence for Efficacy of LENS Neurotherapy

LENS and Neural Regulation: Brain & Body

qEEG as a Base to Neurofeedback Treatment: Is it reliable enough?

QEEG changes in stroke, ageing and cognitive decline

Frontal slowing as a protective mechanism in trauma

The QEEG data collected in STARTTS Neurofeedback clinic indicates that the excessive temporal lobe alpha and frontal lobe disturbances are two profiles seen most frequently in traumatized clients.

EEG Renaissance in Medicine and Neuroscience

In the 1990s Prof. Yuri Kropotov started his research in the field of quantitative EEG and evoked potentials in normal subjects, in ADHD population and in neurological patients to whom intracranial electrodes were implanted for diagnosis and therapy. 

Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and patient characteristics of older men over 60 years of age attending a public STD clinic in South Australia

Background: STI prevalence is changing. With society aging, life expectancy increasing and changes in sexual practices, STIs in senior citizens are of interest from economic, health related and social burden perspectives. Few studies on STIs in older men greater than 60 years of age exist, hence, a need to obtain further information about this subpopulation.

HIV and syphilis co-infections and re-infections: trends from Victoria

Since 2009, the Victorian syphilis enhanced surveillance system has been collecting HIV status and syphilis re-infection status for infectious syphilis cases. Baseline data from 2009 showed that 31% of the infectious syphilis cases were HIV positive and 18% reported were re-infections. This suggested that syphilis transmission among a pool of HIV positive MSM was making a considerable contribution to the syphilis epidemic in Victoria. We analysed the data from 2009 to 2012 to determine whether this pattern of transmission is continuing. Notification data for infectious syphilis between 2009 and 2012 were reviewed by HIV infection status, syphilis re-infection status and risk factor exposures.

HIV transmission: an update for clinicians in the combination prevention era.

Until recently, HIV prevention was based entirely on behavioural risk modification: couselling, education, increasing self-efficacy and HIV testing. Recent advances in antiretroviral-based prevention and HIV testing mean that clinicians have become defacto "gatekeepers" to some of the most effective methods of HIV prevention.

Prevalence, Incidence and Risk Factors for HPV16 Seropositivity in Homosexual Men

HPV16 causes ~75% of HPV-associated anal cancer. Homosexual men are at greatly increased risk, but there are few data on the seroepidemiology of HPV16 in this population. We aim to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for HPV16 seropositivity among community-based cohorts of homosexual Australian men.

Digital rectal examination to screen for anal cancer in HIV positive men having sex with men (MSM)

Anal cancer is more common in MSM and even more common if they have HIV. Anal intra-epithelial neoplasia (AIN) appears to be the precursor and considerable effort is being directed toward evaluating the effectiveness of screening for and treating AIN to prevent anal cancer. This is analogous to the cervical screening programs in wealthy countries. But AIN screening and treatment differs from cervical screening and treatment in several key ways that may delay its introduction into routine clinical care.

Desire and risk: Sick, bad or 'hot'?

Some gay men find sexual behaviours that are high risk for HIV transmission especially desirable. Such desires, and acting on them, have often been portrayed in pathological terms. We investigated the desire for and practice of risky sex among Australian gay men. Pleasure and Sexual Health was an online survey of 2306 Australian gay men recruited during mid-2009. 

Together Apart BAHRA ACS: Assyrian youth from Syria and Iraq Zoom meetings

Understanding Child Maltreatment Across Ethnic Minority Communities in Australia: Physical Abuse, Neglect, Witnessing Domestic and Family Violence and Child Sexual Abuse

Exploring an Eclectic Approach to Establish Best Practice for Clinicians Working with Asylum Seekers Navigating the Immigration Process in New Zealand.

Why Children from Refuge Backgrounds are not Accessing Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Queensland and What We Can Do About It.

An Examination of Intergenerational Conflict in Families from Refugee Backgrounds and Parent’s Perception of Family Counselling.

Woven: Weaving Connections across Cultures.

The Role of Community in Recovery.

Rohingas Torture Victims, now New World Attention, Seeking Urgent Humanitarian Help.

Working Therapeutically with Children from Offshore Detention Centres: Jordan and Jordan’s Family

Clinical implications of Ethnic Cleansing and Genocide.

Cambodians experienced appalling atrocities during the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, when approximately 25% of its population died from execution, starvation, forced labour and torture. Thirty years after the collapse of the regime, many survivors are still suffering the after effects of trauma. Studies of the Cambodian diaspora as well as on survivors in Cambodia, show a high prevalence of mental disorders according to the DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria.

Open Relationships & Polyamory 101

I have encountered quite a few clients who have disclosed sexual and relationship preferences that are deviated from the norm and experienced judgement or prejudice from their therapist, family, friends and colleagues. This presentation is designed to give an overview into different types of relationships there are and why people may be interested in them.  

Ejaculation disorders - Diagnosis & Treatment.

The commonest male ejaculation disorder is Premature Ejaculation (PE). Inhibited or Delayed Ejaculation can be a more challenging condition to assess and treat. This discussion will focus on the diagnosis, investigations and management of ejaculation problems including an overview of the first medication specifically approved for the treatment of PE, dapoxetine, released under the trade name of Priligy™. 

Awareness and intent of Pap testing among sexually active university students in Korea

Unmarried women have not been a target group for cervical cancer prevention in Korea. This study was performed to identify the awareness of Pap testing in unmarried university students in Korea, and to investigate the factors associated with the intention to undergo Pap testing. 

Women's Sexuality Post Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that results in a sudden life change that is difficult to conceptualise. No one can truly be prepared for such a huge shock. It impacts a person not just physically and neurologically, but also socially, emotionally and psychologically. Recovering from SCI has been likened to a “rebirth”. A person needs to reconstruct even the most basic activities of daily living. Sexuality, being an integral part of every person’s life, is also part of this reconstruction process. 

Sexual Orientation Identity Development: Implications for the Psychological Adjustment of Gay and Bisexual Young Males in Japan

According to previous studies, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people report lower levels of mental health relative to heterosexuals. Young LGB people especially suffer from poorer psychological adjustment. However, it remains unclear whether different developmental identity patterns have implications for the psychological adjustment of LGB youths. There is a possibility that the development of sexual orientation identity is related to the better mental health among young LGB people. This study examines whether different patterns of LGB identity formation and integration are associated with psychological adjustment. 

Considering the partner of the women with sexual pain

In this presentation, Dr Redelman reviews some strategies to improving therapeutic outcomes by considering partner characteristics, such as personality and coping style, and relationship dynamics.

Using a mind/body model for the management of Sexual Pain

Dr Anita Elias will present a practical assessment and management tool that helps patients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions and physical sexual responses. This model considers

The Celibacy Syndrome and Sexless Marriages in Japan - Culture Specific Phenomena of Clinical Issues?

This presentation aims to discuss two well-known sexuality phenomena in Japan from the clinical and cultural perspective. The celibacy syndrome in young people and sexless marriages are becoming widely discussed issues, raising more and more concerns over the future of Japanese society.

The Disincentives of Pregnancy & Needs toward Health Care Providers of Lesbian Females in Japan

In the Far East, as a social component, sociality put emphasis on getting married and starting a family. However, in most cases, the images of families are heterosexualized. Therefore, reproductive health issues/rights of lesbian females haven’t been noted. In a major survey in 2012, 5.2% of the population in Japan are from sexual minorities. Other says lesbian pregnancies exist but it is impossible to find out the number. In Medical field, knowledge of lesbian pregnancies is insufficient, and the disincentives of pregnancy and needs toward healthcare providers of lesbian females in Japan are not known. 

Understanding the Whole-Person Centred approach to inspire authentic human connection

Within the scope of defining sexuality, complexities are often overlooked when delivering education to young people. We know that each person experiences and expresses their sexuality differently, and that influences come from a wide range of external interactions. Yet the tendency can sometimes be to focus on the biological and ‘safe’ zones of discussion, rather than engaging young people to think more deeply about the interwoven dimensions and how it applies to them. 

Ignorance is not Innocence: Why talk about sexuality, sexualisation, sexual behaviours and prevention of sexual abuse in our classrooms?

Two open public discourse on perceived controversial topics is presented as polarised along the “for or against” continuum. This makes for entertaining debate, but doesn’t really help build practice or protect the most vulnerable. This is seen in the arena of children and sexuality. The overwhelming majority of people want children to be safe; however there remain significant myths about what it means to protect children in this area. 

Current Medical Treatment of Premature Ejaculation

Over the past 20-30 years, the Premature Ejaculation (PE) treatment paradigm, previously limited to behavioural psychotherapy, has expanded to include drug treatment. Animal and human sexual psychopharmacological studies have demonstrated that serotonin and 5-HT receptors are involved in ejaculation and confirm a role for SSRIs in the treatment of PE. Multiple well-controlled evidence-based studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of SSRIs in delaying ejaculation, confirming their role as first-line agents for the medical treatment of lifelong and acquired PE. Daily dosing of SSRIs is associated with superior fold increases in IELT compared to on-demand SSRIs.

The Sexuality Education of Australian GLBTIQ Youth: Messages, Usefulness, Recommendations

There have been many recent media debates and controversies in Australia over what sexuality education in schools should constitute. Concerns for sexual health can inform pushes for educating young people on topics such as hygiene, biology or safe sex. Yet other agendas privilege censorship, the teaching of abstinence, a focus on sexual morality or the inclusion of gay rights and other diverse perspectives. A review of the literature uncovered the key approaches to sexuality education, and 14 specific messages they offer young people about their sexuality. This presentation considers the relevance of these messages for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex students.

SMS reminders increase re-testing for repeat chlamydial infection in heterosexuals at a sexual health clinic

Repeat infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is common. If left untreated it can lead to onward transmission and in females it increases the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease by four-fold. In late 2008, Sydney Sexual Health Centre implemented a reminder system using short message service (SMS) to improve re-testing rates following treatment of chlamydial infection. Clinicians were advised to set up SMS reminders to be sent out at 3 months after the visit. We compared the frequency of re-screening within 1-4 months of the initial infection in women and heterosexual men who received the SMS in the 12 month period of January-December 2009 (intervention group) to a 18-month period before the SMS was introduced (historical control group) using a Chi-square test, and multivariate regression.

The importance of mobility in sustaining high STI prevalence in remote indigenous communities

Despite high rates of screening and treatment in many remote Indigenous communities in Australia, diagnosis rates for sexually transmitted infections (STI), chlamydia and gonorrhoea in particular, remain alarmingly high. One contributing factor may be the high rate of temporary mobility for residents of remote communities. We use mathematical modelling to explore the impact of mobility on STI transmission within remote communities.

Gay men prefer partner notification by short message service (SMS) rather than e-postcards: a web-based evaluation

In 2006 two new innovative features were added to the WhyTest website; the ‘Tell them’ service allowing visitors to forward anonymous e-postcard or short message services (SMS) to sexual partners who may have been exposed to an STI, and the ‘remind me’ service allowing visitors to register for a 3, 6 or 12 monthly SMS reminder for a sexual health check. We describe the usage of the new website functionality, and recognition of a health promotion campaign conducted in January-June 2007 to promote these new features.

Lighting the fire, not filling the pail - positioning sexuality in the Australian curriculum

This symposium presentation will discuss conceptual approaches to how processes underway to develop the Australian Curriculum might link to improved sexual health outcomes. It will also explore the assumptions underpinning the ‘partnership’ between health and education sectors to uncover both the opportunities and the pitfalls for those who want to promote young people’s learning. 

Oropharyngeal carcinoma related to human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) induced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is a unique subtype of oropharyngeal cancer. It has a significantly better prognosis than that caused by tobacco and/ or alcohol. The incidence of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer is raising in the western countries.

High chlamydia prevalence found among young Australian men and women - results from the Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot (ACCEPt).

ACCEPt is a multi-state cluster randomised trial that aims to increase annual chlamydia testing in 16-29 year olds attending general practice. 54 postcodes (80% in rural areas) are being randomised to a multi-faceted intervention and GP clinics within each postcode enrolled. The primary outcome is change in chlamydia prevalence, and a prevalence study is being conducted at the beginning and end of the trial. We report on the findings of the baseline prevalence study.

Surgical Aspects of Transgender Medicine

Surgery for gender dysphoria was not routinely available prior to the 80’s, surgery and psychiatry having had an unhappy liaison. While gender dysphoria is DSM classified it’s not because it is deemed to be an illness, rather than to give guidelines as to establishing a diagnosis, and surgery is now deemed to be an appropriate activity.

Gaps in Sexuality Transmissible and Blood Borne Viral Infection Reporting: What are the Implications for Closing the Gap?

Incomplete reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status within notifiable disease databases is a longstanding concern. In the environment of Close the Gap, accurate reporting of Indigenous status is required for health services planning and to measure improvements in health outcomes across the life span. This study analysed completeness of reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status for sexually transmissible (STI) and blood borne viral (BBV) notifications during 2000-2009 for chlamydia, gonorrhea, infectious syphilis, newly acquired Hepatitis B and all cases of Hepatitis C. Data was analysed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status by sex, age, remoteness and jurisdiction. Analyses include descriptive statistics, an estimation of the effect of completeness of data on prevalence and a simulation study.