Congratulations on attaining your PhD in听Clinical Psychology and for being nominated for an Iain Wallace Research Medal for outstanding PhD research. With your research and undergraduate areas of study being in Psychology, did you have an inkling of your interest in psychology while still at High School?听

I always enjoyed working with people and knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue a career in a 鈥渉elping鈥� profession, but I听丑补诲苍鈥檛听really considered psychology when I was in school. I had been passionate about Human Biology, so I had planned to study听medicine. However, after spending time volunteering at a crisis centre for at-risk youth during my gap year in Israel, and then taking psychology subjects as broadening units during my undergrad studies, I discovered my love for analysing human behaviour, and a desire to support people through some of their most challenging and vulnerable experiences.听听

Was there any听particular teacher听at school who inspired you at all and, if so, why?听

I valued the commitment and dedication of all the teachers I had at Carmel.听In particular, Mr Hall听inspired and cultivated my love for Human Biology, through his enthusiasm and extensive knowledge on the topic. I also feel that Mr听叠濒补肠丑别谤鈥檚听influence and persistence encouraged me to get involved in leadership and informal education roles at the school which helped to develop my communication and people skills, and love of Jewish culture.听听

Did you attend Carmel High School only or the Primary School too? Did you have any siblings who attended Carmel?听听

I was a Carmel Kid! I attended all the way from Kindy to Year 12. My two older sisters were also Carmel Kids 鈥� Romy graduated in 2004 and is now an occupational therapist for Jewish Care living in London, and Aimee graduated in 2001. Aimee is currently living in Perth and working as a GP, she also recently got engaged to Dean听Kurlansky,听an OKC who graduated in 1996.听听

Is there any event or occasion that sticks out in your mind as being memorable about your days at Carmel?听

I look back on my days at Carmel with very fond memories, especially the informal and extracurricular activities that were on offer. I loved the atmosphere of the school and the smaller year groups, which created a culture of acceptance and inclusivity among the students.听听

If I had to pick one standout memory, I felt that the Jewish Studies camps inspired creative and critical thinking and encouraged us to discuss and explore aspects of our Judaism,听values听and personal identity in an open and non-judgmental environment. I think these experiences, in addition to being involved in听Bnei听Akiva, really encouraged self-reflection and a striving for personal growth which has guided me throughout my university studies and equipped me with the skills to think about myself and others on a deeper level, enhancing my work as a psychologist.听听

Are there any 69色情片 attainments of yours that听测辞耻鈥檇听be happy to share with our audience?听

I was lucky enough to be awarded the听Korsunski听full scholarship for听High听School at Carmel and awarded Dux in Year 7. In Year 12, I received a Course Exhibition for Human Biology (for achieving the top mark in WA in 2010) and a Certificate of Excellence in WACE. I was also involved as a member of the Student Representative Council, managing the Community and Culture portfolio.听听

What was the area of research for which you听were nominated for an听Iain Wallace Research Medal?听

The听Iain Wallace Research Medal听nomination听(which will be determined later in 2021)听was听for my PhD research at Swinburne University听in the area of听Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a debilitating but lesser-known mental health condition where individuals are preoccupied with a flaw in their physical appearance that appears very minor or non-existent to others. Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder often seek out cosmetic surgery in the hope of fixing their appearance, but they are usually dissatisfied with the results and the procedure can instead worsen their symptoms. Through my PhD, I was working on developing screening tools that can be used by cosmetic surgeons and practitioners to detect Body Dysmorphic Disorder in their听clients, and听setting up referral pathways where they can support these clients to receive psychological assistance from mental health professionals.听听

What is your current area of work/employment or study?听

I am currently working as a psychologist in private practice in Melbourne, specialising in teenagers and adults with body image concerns, such as eating disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I also work in an intensive group treatment program for teenagers and young adults recovering from an eating disorder. I am also engaged in research and teaching at Swinburne University where I am a lecturer in Abnormal听Psychology, and听conduct and supervise research relating to Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In the future, I intend to develop training courses and workshops for cosmetic practitioners on how to work sensitively and appropriately with clients with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.听听

Is there anything else about you that听测辞耻鈥檇听be happy to share?听

I began studying postgraduate听medicine, and,听after one semester, I decided that I wanted to instead pursue a career in psychology. I left medical school, moved to Melbourne to complete my听honours in psychology and after a few months, I met my now husband, Brent Goldstein (a high school English and History teacher at听Leibler听Yavneh College) and never looked back! If I had to pass on one piece of advice to current students based on my experience, it would be to have goals and ambitions in sight, but not to be afraid to change course, try something new and take risks to discover what they are truly passionate about.听听