Dr Dana Wong - Researcher Profile

Dana Wong

Address

School of Psychology and Psychiatry
Building 17, Clayton

Contact Details

Tel: +61 3 990 53933

Email: Dana.Wong@monash.edu


Biography

Dana works in the School of Psychology and Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences at Monash University as a Lecturer and Academic Registrar for the Doctor of Psychology (DPsych) programs in Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology. 

Dana's main clinical, teaching and research interests lie in the assessment and treatment of emotional and cognitive difficulties following traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Current research projects in which she is involved include the use of motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy to treat anxiety and depression in people with TBI; investigation of the validity of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in people with TBI; and a survey of smartphone use in people with TBI.  Dana also assists in overseeing the curricula of the DPsych programs in Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology, and aims to deliver high quality clinical and research training to DPsych students using a scientist-practitioner model.

Dana completed a Masters/PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Western Australia in 2004. She has worked as a Clinical Neuropsychologist since 2002 in a variety of settings, and currently has a private practice in which she sees adults for neuropsychological assessment and intervention. She has worked at Monash University since 2007. Dana is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN), Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI), and Victorian Brain Injury Recovery Association (VBIRA).  She has formerly been Treasurer and Acting Chair of the Victorian section of the CCN.

 

Research & Supervision Interests

    Assessment of depression and anxiety in TBI using self-report questionnaires

    Treatment of depression and anxiety in people with TBI using cognitive behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment therapy

    Values in people with TBI

    Use of smartphones and other technology by people with TBI

    Cognitive rehabilitation in TBI

    Theory of mind/empathy and its relationship with executive functions

    Clinical practice patterns of neuropsychologists and relationships with training and supervision

     

Keywords

anxiety; motivational interviewing; cognitive behaviour therapy; traumatic brain injury., depression, DASS, smartphone

Qualifications

PHD
Institution: University of Western Australia
Year awarded: 2005
MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY (CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY)
Institution: University of Western Australia
Year awarded: 2005
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Institution: University of Western Australia
Year awarded: 1998

Publications

Journal Articles

Hsieh, M., Ponsford, J.L., Wong, D.K., Schonberger, M., McKay, A.J.D., Haines, K.E., 2012, A cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) programme for anxiety following moderatesevere traumatic brain injury (TBI): two case studies, Brain Injury [P], vol 26, issue 2, Informa Healthcare, United Kingdom, pp. 126-138.

Hsieh, M., Ponsford, J.L., Wong, D.K., Schonberger, M., McKay, A.J.D., Haines, K.E., 2012, Development of a motivational interviewing programme as a prelude to CBT for anxiety following traumatic brain injury, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation [P], vol 22, issue 4, Psychology Press, United Kingdom, pp. 563-584.

Hsieh, M., Ponsford, J.L., Wong, D.K., Schonberger, M., Taffe, J.R., McKay, A.J.D., 2012, Motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety following traumatic brain injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation [P], vol 22, issue 4, Psychology Press, United Kingdom, pp. 585-608.

Hsieh, M., Ponsford, J., Wong, D., McKay, A., 2011, Exploring variables associated with change in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety following traumatic brain injury, Disability and Rehabilitation [P], vol E, Informa Healthcare, UK, pp. 1-8.

Bishop, D.V.M., Maybery, M., Wong, D., Maley, A., Hallmayer, J., 2006, Characteristics of the broader phenotype in autism: a study of siblings using the Children's Communication Checklist-2, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B (Neuropsychiatric Genetics), vol 141 B, Wiley-Liss, Hoboken USA, pp. 117-122.

Wong, D., Maybery, M., Bishop, D.V.M., Maley, A., Hallmayer, J., 2006, Profiles of executive function in parents and siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, Genes, Brain and Behavior, vol 5, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford UK, pp. 561-576.

Bishop, D.V.M., Maybery, M., Wong, D., Maley, A., Hill, W., Hallmayer, J., 2004, Are phonological processing deficits part of the broad autism phenotype?, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B (Neuropsychiatric Genetics), vol 128B, Wiley-Liss, Hoboken USA, pp. 54-60.

Bishop, D.V.M., Maybery, M., Maley, A., Wong, D., Hill, W., Hallmayer, J., 2004, Using self-report to identify the broad phenotype in parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders: a study using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, vol 45, issue 8, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford UK, pp. 1431-1436.

Teaching Commitment

Contributes to teaching in the following units:

DPSY5102 Psychological Assessment

DPSY5261 Neuropsychological Models of Cognition and Behaviour

DPSY5262 Case Analysis and Professional Practice in Neuropsychology

DPSY5265 Neuropsychological Syndromes

DPSY6204 Clinical Neuropsychology

DPSY6263 Recovery of Function and Rehabilitation after Brain Injury

Clinical Activity

Dana has a private practice as a clinical neuropsychologist, seeing clients with acquired brain injury and other neurological and psychiatric disorders for neuropsychological assessment, ongoing psychological support and intervention (counselling/therapy), behaviour management, management of cognitive impairment, and/or community-based rehabilitation.

Postgraduate Research Supervisions

Current Supervision

Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Characteristics and experiences which contribute to positive mental health following traumatic brain injury.
Supervisors:
Ponsford, J (Main), Wong, D (Associate).
Program of Study:
(DOCTORATE BY RESEARCH).
Thesis Title:
Research Interest Areas.
Supervisors:
Wong, D (Main).

Completed Supervision

Student:
Hsieh, M.
Program of Study:
Cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing for anxiety disorders following moderate-sever traumatic brain injury. (PHD) 2010.
Supervisors:
Ponsford, J (Main), Schonberger, M (Associate), Wong, D (Associate).