Sleep and Psychology Laboratory

The Sleep and Psychology Laboratory offers treatment for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic stress, and are also experiencing sleep disturbances. We are also conducting research to explain the complex relationships between exposure to traumatic events, sleep, and mental health. Traumatic events can include, but are not limited to, exposure to family or community violence, motor vehicle accidents, physical or sexual abuse, and assault.

What we do

We offer evidence-based therapies for traumatic stress and sleep disruption. Therapy is offered in the context of research trials where we investigate how to make existing therapies for traumatic stress and sleep disruptions more effective. For further information about trauma-focused therapy and/or sleep therapy, visit these sites:

We are currently recruiting for one trial, see below. Therapy is provided free of charge.

Who we are

Associate Professor Jessica Paterson
Associate Professor Jessica Paterson is a Clinical Psychologist with over 17 years of research experience in the field of sleep, fatigue, mental health and psychopathology. She has worked across multiple industries where sleep disruption and trauma exposure are common, particularly health care and the emergency services. Associate Professor Paterson is a member of the Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Open Door initiative and is the Director of the Sleep and Psychology Laboratory.

Cassandra Rose
Cassandra Rose is a provisional psychologist and Clinical Psychology PhD student with a passion for enhancing the effectiveness and understanding of treatment for PTSD in children and adolescence. Cassandra has considerable experience working in youth mental health, early childhood education, and as a crisis supporter at Lifeline. Her current research seeks to explore ways to improve treatment outcomes using an integrated cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) approach for trauma-exposed primary school-aged children with sleep difficulties.

Our current treatment trials

Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep (CHATTS)

This study aims to enhance existing treatments for primary school-aged children (ages 5 to 12) who are experiencing worry and sleep problems after experiencing a traumatic event(s). You and your child will receive 10 free one-hour weekly therapy sessions with a trained psychologist, starting with 4 sessions of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) and 6 sessions of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). This treatment will contribute valuable insights to refine current treatment effectiveness for primary school-aged children, ensuring mental health professionals can offer more accessible and effective options within a Medicare framework. If you are seeking additional information, please email us at CHATTS@flinders.edu.au to express your interest, and a member of our psychology team will reach out to you promptly.

Information

Consent form

Lab members

Jessica Paterson

Lab Director, A/Professor in Clinical Psychology

Jess leads the Sleep and Psychology Laboratory’s program of research concerned with how sleep impacts on mental health, with a particular focus on those who have experienced traumatic events.

Cassie Rose

PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Cassie is leading the Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep program, with a focus on clinical treatment combining Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for primary school aged children.

Darah-Bree Bensen-Boakes

PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Darah is interested in clinical sleep research, such as treatments for insomnia and sleep difficulties via Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia. She also has a specific research and clinical interest in a phenomenon known as Sleep-wake State Discrepancy.

Alice Bowie

PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Alice is currently working on kickstarting her PhD focussing on an adolescent (13-18) age group in the Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep program, and will shortly begin administering combined Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with young clients!

Zilu Zhang

PhD (Research) Candidate

Zilu’s research focuses on the intersection of insomnia and aging, specifically examining their effects on emotion processing, which includes emotion recognition, emotion regulation, and emotional memory.

Laura Palmer

Master of Clinical Psychology Student

Laura is conducting research in relation to the mental health and wellbeing of carers of people with a brain injury.

Jessica Zuvela

Psychology Honours Student

Jess is exploring the relationships between pain-related dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and self-reported pain, sleep and quality of life outcomes in people with co-morbid chronic pain and insomnia.

Ruby Mackenzie

Psychology Honours Student

Ruby’s work in the sleep lab revolves around exploring the relationship between bedtime procrastination, psychological detachment and psychological vitality.

Michelle Mitolo

Psychology Honours Student

Michelle’s is an Honours student with the Flinders Sleep and Psychology laboratory. You can find her in the lab this year conducting a study investigating how sleep and time of trauma exposure interact to influence mental health.