Sleep and Psychology Laboratory

The Sleep and Psychology Laboratory offers treatment for 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

Darah-Bree Bensen-Boakes
Darah is a General Psychologist with over 7 years of research experience in the field of sleep and psychology. She holds clinical and research interests into the intersect between sleep difficulties and chronic pain, trauma, neurodivergence, and broader mental health concerns. Darah is a Lecturer in Social Work and a Researcher within the College of Human Sciences and Culture, 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.

Alice Bowie
Alice Bowie is a Provisional Psychologist and Clinical PhD Candidate at Flinders University. Alice has a keen interest in working with adolescents who have experienced traumatic events, in addition to their carers. Alice's research (the CHATTS program) focuses on combining two Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBTi and TF-CBT) to improve trauma and sleep symptom outcomes in young people.

Our current treatment trials

Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep (CHATTS)

This study aims to enhance existing treatments for children who are experiencing worry and sleep problems after experiencing a traumatic event(s). Recruitment for children aged 5 to 12 has closed. We are currently recruiting adolescents aged 13 to 18. 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 adolescents, 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

Darah-Bree Bensen-Boakes

Lab Director, Lecturer in Social Work

Darah directs the Sleep and Psychology Laboratory. She leads research surrounding sleep and trauma treatment and the scope of chronic pain and sleep within Australia's pain clinics. Darah holds a particular research interest in a phenomenon known as sleep-wake state discrepancy.

Cassie Rose

PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Cassie is leading the child component for the Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep program. Recruitment for the child portion of this study is currently closed.

Alice Bowie

PhD (Clinical Psychology) Candidate

Alice is leading the adolescent component of the Child and Adolescent Treatment for Trauma and Sleep program. This program focuses on administering combined Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia and Trauma Focus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with young clients aged 13-18 years old. Recruitment of adolescent clients for this study is currently open!

Sarah Calaby

Psychology (Honours) Student

Sarah is currently completing her Honours project within the lab. She is researching the impact of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia in individuals with co-occurring chronic pain and sleep difficulties.

Sarah De Jong

Psychology (Honours) Student

Sarah is a current Psychology (Honours) student within the lab. Sarah’s work aims to utilise data from a large, general population database to explore the relationship between sleep outcomes such as quality, duration, and latency, with different forms of hormonal birth control, while also considering depression as a possible moderator of this relationship.

Flinders University Logo

Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042

South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online