Mary Girgis

Biography

"I have currently completed my Master of Clinical Psychology and the first year of my doctorate. My masters research was under the supervision of Dr Lynette Roberts and Alice Shires, and had a focus in intellectual disability and mindfulness. Specifically, I examined the efficacy of a new therapy, mindfulness integrated cognitive behaviour therapy (MiCBT). The study aimed to examine whether MiCBT could successfully reduce parental stress in families with a child with an intellectual disability, and subsequently reduce challenging behaviours displayed by the child with the intellectual disability. The results indicated MiCBT can effectively reduce both parental stress and challenging behaviours within this population. My doctorate, under the supervision of Dr Lynette Roberts, also has a focus in intellectual disability. My research aims to develop a self-report emotion regulation scale for individuals with an intellectual disability, as well as an informant (carer and teacher) version of the questionnaire. This scale is being developed as emotion dysregulation is a common factor which maintains psychiatric illnesses. In this sense the questionnaire will assist psychologists in targeting therapy at certain aspects of emotion regulation, which require additional attention.The scale will also be able to assess the overall efficacy of therapies, in relation to individuals with an intellectual disability. Clinically, I am very passionate about complex trauma and mental health in both adults and adolescents within the forensic setting. I have a history of my clients significantly improving as I provide high level, best evidence based psychological interventions. I am experienced in CBT, ACT, MiCBT, DBT, CPT, and Schema Therapy. I am experienced and interested in working with forensic clients; as well as clients with Intellectual Disabilities, ADHD, Anxiety, Personality Disorders, PTSD, Complex Trauma, and emotion regulation difficulties."

Research Interest

Clinical Psychology,Mental Health,Family Therapy,Psychological Assessment,Mental Health Counseling,Leadership,Adolescent Therapy,Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction