Dr Allison Clarke is a registered psychologist working in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and a full member of the APS, the APS College of Health Psychologists and the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. She is the current Chair and has been a member of the National Executive of the APS College of Health Psychologists for the last eleven years. Allison has also previously served on the APS ACT Branch Committee. Allison has a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) majoring in psychology from Deakin University in Geelong. Her doctoral thesis examined the psychosocial impact of epilepsy on young people. Allison is a Project Manager in Data Informatics and Analytics Branch at the Commonwealth Department of Health and also works in private practice at Optimal Health and Performance where she sees clients with a wide range of issues. In her private practice, Allison has a particular interest in the application of health psychology to: 1. Life-style risk factor modification (e.g., smoking, diet, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, drug and alcohol use, and high risk sexual behaviour); 2. Treatment of psychosocial and life style factors that impact chronic conditions (e.g. epilepsy, head ache pain, muscular/skeletal and joint problems, heart disease, cancer, diabetes), from illness assessment, through to self-management, and rehabilitation; 3. Increasing patient adherence to medical and lifestyle changes required for effective chronic disease management; 4. Using psychological treatment for problems that often accompany ill health and injury, such as anxiety, depression, pain, addiction, sleep and eating problems; 5. Helping people cope with trauma, disability and rehabilitation; and 6. Treatment of health-related anxiety and somatic disorders.

Antonina Mikocka-Walus is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Faculty of Health HDR Coordinator at Deakin University in Melbourne. Antonina chairs the Conference Committee of the APS College of Health Psychologists. Antonina completed her PhD in Psycho-gastroenterology at the University of Adelaide and has since worked at Monash University, University of South Australia, University of York (UK), and has been at Deakin University since 2016. Antonina is an active researcher, with over 100 research publications, largely on the brain-gut links, psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment in chronic gastrointestinal conditions. She is passionate about mentoring HDR students with whom she has co-authored >50 research papers. Antonina’s research has received funding from such organisations as the Wellcome Trust, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and Crohn’s & Colitis Australia. Her research has informed the national and international guidelines on treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and has been translated into practice in Australia. Antonina is presently Associate Editor for Journal of Psychosomatic Research.