Buddhism and Psychology

Committee Information

Below are details of the current committee and vacancies. The APS is always on the look out for members who are interested in joining a Member Group committee, to help support and promote members, the profession, and the APS. For more information about joining a Member Groups committee, click here.

Have questions? Please feel free to contact committee members via PsyCommunity direct message here or reach out to APS Member Groups via [email protected].

 

Convener

Miss Emily Knowles
Emily is a Registered Psychologist, with a multidisciplinary approach to practice.

Buddhism weaves its threads through both Emily's professional life and personal outlook. The traditions influence her philosophy and her methodology; the Buddhist teachings inform her world view. In this way, she is an advocate for the integration of spiritual principles into the practice of psychology, and the ‘being a psychologist’. She strongly believes that this enables a more holistic view of wellbeing: towards ourselves, our clients, and within our profession. Emily is very passionate about the value creation –and potential– at the intersection of Buddhism and Psychology. Her professional and vocational pursuits are strongly aligned to this intersection

Emily is active in both the consulting and research communities

Emily looks forward to working collaboratively with the BPIG Committee to sustain and grow the offering of this Interest Group to BPIG Members, and welcoming new Members to the Group

Secretary

Position vacant

Treasurer

Ms Lian Vandenberg
Lian is a Registered Psychologist and a Board Approved Supervisor with a Bachelor of Arts (Psych.), Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology and a Master of Counselling. She works in Private Practice in the inner north-western areas of Melbourne after having worked in the Community Health and EAP services.

Lian is drawn to understand and embody how Buddhist principles and practices can inform psychological practice and a deeper understanding of human nature and potential. This is done in service to support others work towards greater Whole-Self balance and wellness in daily life.

Lian is the current Treasurer of the BPIG.

Committee Member

Mr John Mercer

Committee Member

Dr David Indermaur

Committee Member

Mr Kirk Upton

Committee Member

Dr Gayre Christie
Gayre Is originally from Scotland. He did his Honors degree and Masters degree in Educational Psychology. His PhD is from the University of QLD. The main focus of this doctorate was how we decode emotional messages.

He did his EMDR training some years ago.

He is currently president elect of the Australian Society of Hypnosis.

Gayre works as a senior psychologist with QLD Health and also has a private practice. He is interested in chronic pain and the relationship between chronic pain and early trauma. he is also interested in therapeutic complementarities. That is how, different therapeutic modalities may be used to support and compliment each other, in providing therapy and. ameliorating complex presentations. He is a Board Approved Supervisor

Committee Member

Position vacant

Student Representative

Ms Kara Child

Student Representative

Ms Viki Rozsas

Student Representative

Position vacant