Susan Edwards
Clinical Psychologist
BPsych (Hons), PhD/Masters (Clinical) Psychology, MAPS
About Susan
SKILLS AND EXPERTISE
Susan has 20 years experience working in psychology. She began her psychology career working in the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU), now the Emotional Health Clinic (EHC), on a research project investigating risk factors for anxiety in preschool-aged children under Professor Ron Rapee. She worked on this project for six years and it provided the inspiration for her own research. During this time Susan also began working in the clinic as a clinical research officer, assessing and treating people with anxiety disorders. Susan was one of the senior clinicians at MUARU for 10 years working with clients with anxiety and depression, on an individual basis as well as running group programs. She was also responsible for the training and supervision of interns and psychologists working on these programs. Susan also had a role in program development, with a particular interest in schema therapy and anxiety disorders.
In 2007, Susan also joined the Redleaf Practice part time, a private practice specialising in the treatment of eating disorders. Working with Chris Thornton, an international leader in the field, she expanded her skills and experience working with adults and adolescents with eating disorders and body image concerns as well as other psychological difficulties.
In 2009, Susan established her own full time practice Northern Beaches Clinical Psychology in Sydney. Working with adults with the full spectrum of psychological concerns, from clinical disorders through to everyday stress and adjustment problems, Susan utilises a range of evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy when working with clients.
She moved to the Gold Coast some years ago, initially working as part of the team at Burleigh Heads Psychology Clinic. Susan has now returned to working in her own private practice, Susan Edwards Clinical Psychology
TRAINING
Susan completed a Bachelor of Psychology with first class honours in 2002 before entering the 5-year combined PhD/Masters (Clinical Psychology) program at Macquarie University from which she graduated in 2007. For her Honours project she investigated cognitive processes involved in social anxiety in adults. For her PhD research she examined risk factors for anxiety disorders in a large sample of Australian preschool-aged children. Susan has undertaken additional training in advanced cognitive behavioural therapy, advanced acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, mindfulness, eating disorders, attachment, and trauma. During her training she worked in university clinics, a hospital setting, and with a child and family community team. She undertakes ongoing professional development which includes having her work supervised by colleagues.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Susan is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA) where she is endorsed as a clinical psychologist. She is also a 10-year member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). A requirement of both organisations is that psychologists undertake regular supervision and attend regular training to keep their skills up to date through continuing professional development.
PUBLICATIONS
Edwards, S.L., Rapee, R.M., & Kennedy, S. (2010). Prediction of anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children: Examination of maternal and paternal perspectives. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 51(3), 313-321.
Edwards, S.L., Rapee, R.M. & Franklin, J.A. (2003). Post-event rumination and recall bias for a social performance event in high and low socially anxious individuals. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27(6), 603-617.
Edwards, S. L., Rapee, R. M., Kennedy, S., & Spence, S. H. (2010). The assessment of anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children: The Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39(3), 400-409.
Kennedy, S.J., Rapee, R.M., & Edwards, S.E. (2009). A selective intervention program for inhibited preschool-aged children of parents with an anxiety disorder: Effects on current anxiety disorders and temperament. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(6):602-609.
Rapee, R.M., Kennedy, S., Ingram, M., Edwards, S.L., & Sweeney, L. (2010). Altering the Trajectory of Anxiety in At-Risk Young Children. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 1518-1525.
Rapee, R.M., Kennedy, S., Ingram, M., Edwards, S., & Sweeney, L. (2005). Prevention and early intervention of anxiety disorders in inhibited preschool children . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 488-497.
CONFERENCES
Ronald, R.M., Kennedy, S., & Edwards, S.L (2009). Can anxiety disorders be prevented? Early data from two trials. Presented at the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) XXXIX Congress, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Edwards, S. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2007). A Longitudinal Study Examining a Model Predicting Risk for Anxiety Symptoms in Young Children. Poster presented at the V World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (WCBCT 2007), Barcelona, Spain.
Edwards, S. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2005). Temperament and environmental factors contributing to the development and maintenance of anxiety in preschoolers. Poster presented at the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) XXXV Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece
Edwards, S. L., Kennedy, S. J., & Rapee, R. M. (2004). The development, maintenance and management of anxiety in preschool children. Poster presented at the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 27th national conference, Perth, Australia.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
2007 Macquarie University Vice Chancellor's Commendation for a research thesis
2002-2005 Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship
2003 NSW Institute of Psychiatry Research Training Fellowship
2002 Macquarie University Vice Chancellor's Award for undergraduate study
2000-2001 Macquarie University Honours Scholarship
1999 Australian Federation of University Women NSW Prize
Susan has 20 years experience working in psychology. She began her psychology career working in the Macquarie University Anxiety Research Unit (MUARU), now the Emotional Health Clinic (EHC), on a research project investigating risk factors for anxiety in preschool-aged children under Professor Ron Rapee. She worked on this project for six years and it provided the inspiration for her own research. During this time Susan also began working in the clinic as a clinical research officer, assessing and treating people with anxiety disorders. Susan was one of the senior clinicians at MUARU for 10 years working with clients with anxiety and depression, on an individual basis as well as running group programs. She was also responsible for the training and supervision of interns and psychologists working on these programs. Susan also had a role in program development, with a particular interest in schema therapy and anxiety disorders.
In 2007, Susan also joined the Redleaf Practice part time, a private practice specialising in the treatment of eating disorders. Working with Chris Thornton, an international leader in the field, she expanded her skills and experience working with adults and adolescents with eating disorders and body image concerns as well as other psychological difficulties.
In 2009, Susan established her own full time practice Northern Beaches Clinical Psychology in Sydney. Working with adults with the full spectrum of psychological concerns, from clinical disorders through to everyday stress and adjustment problems, Susan utilises a range of evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy when working with clients.
She moved to the Gold Coast some years ago, initially working as part of the team at Burleigh Heads Psychology Clinic. Susan has now returned to working in her own private practice, Susan Edwards Clinical Psychology
TRAINING
Susan completed a Bachelor of Psychology with first class honours in 2002 before entering the 5-year combined PhD/Masters (Clinical Psychology) program at Macquarie University from which she graduated in 2007. For her Honours project she investigated cognitive processes involved in social anxiety in adults. For her PhD research she examined risk factors for anxiety disorders in a large sample of Australian preschool-aged children. Susan has undertaken additional training in advanced cognitive behavioural therapy, advanced acceptance and commitment therapy, schema therapy, mindfulness, eating disorders, attachment, and trauma. During her training she worked in university clinics, a hospital setting, and with a child and family community team. She undertakes ongoing professional development which includes having her work supervised by colleagues.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Susan is registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA) where she is endorsed as a clinical psychologist. She is also a 10-year member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). A requirement of both organisations is that psychologists undertake regular supervision and attend regular training to keep their skills up to date through continuing professional development.
PUBLICATIONS
Edwards, S.L., Rapee, R.M., & Kennedy, S. (2010). Prediction of anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children: Examination of maternal and paternal perspectives. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 51(3), 313-321.
Edwards, S.L., Rapee, R.M. & Franklin, J.A. (2003). Post-event rumination and recall bias for a social performance event in high and low socially anxious individuals. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27(6), 603-617.
Edwards, S. L., Rapee, R. M., Kennedy, S., & Spence, S. H. (2010). The assessment of anxiety symptoms in preschool-aged children: The Revised Preschool Anxiety Scale. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39(3), 400-409.
Kennedy, S.J., Rapee, R.M., & Edwards, S.E. (2009). A selective intervention program for inhibited preschool-aged children of parents with an anxiety disorder: Effects on current anxiety disorders and temperament. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(6):602-609.
Rapee, R.M., Kennedy, S., Ingram, M., Edwards, S.L., & Sweeney, L. (2010). Altering the Trajectory of Anxiety in At-Risk Young Children. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 1518-1525.
Rapee, R.M., Kennedy, S., Ingram, M., Edwards, S., & Sweeney, L. (2005). Prevention and early intervention of anxiety disorders in inhibited preschool children . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 488-497.
CONFERENCES
Ronald, R.M., Kennedy, S., & Edwards, S.L (2009). Can anxiety disorders be prevented? Early data from two trials. Presented at the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) XXXIX Congress, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Edwards, S. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2007). A Longitudinal Study Examining a Model Predicting Risk for Anxiety Symptoms in Young Children. Poster presented at the V World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (WCBCT 2007), Barcelona, Spain.
Edwards, S. L., & Rapee, R. M. (2005). Temperament and environmental factors contributing to the development and maintenance of anxiety in preschoolers. Poster presented at the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) XXXV Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece
Edwards, S. L., Kennedy, S. J., & Rapee, R. M. (2004). The development, maintenance and management of anxiety in preschool children. Poster presented at the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) 27th national conference, Perth, Australia.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
2007 Macquarie University Vice Chancellor's Commendation for a research thesis
2002-2005 Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship
2003 NSW Institute of Psychiatry Research Training Fellowship
2002 Macquarie University Vice Chancellor's Award for undergraduate study
2000-2001 Macquarie University Honours Scholarship
1999 Australian Federation of University Women NSW Prize