Dr. Simon Crisp

BA (Monash), DipEdPsych (Monash), MPsych(Child & Ed.) (Monash), DPsych(Clinical Child, Adol. & Family) (La Trobe), M.A.P.S.

Churchill Fellow (1996)

Member of the Australian Psychological Society (since 1992)

Member of the College of Clinical Psychologists (since 1993)

Member of the Australian Research Alliance for Children Youth

Simon is a well known Melbourne Clinical Psychologist, renowned for his work as a consultant, clinician and therapist. He is frequently sought as a consultant to schools and organisations, is in demand as a presenter, facilitator and trainer, and provides regular expert comment in the media. Simon has written for The Age newspaper and appeared on ABC-TV's The 7.30 Report, Channel 9's Today program, and Channel 7's Sunrise program and The Morning Show. He was a regular columnist for for the national Teacher magazine for several years.

With over 10 years of formal university qualifications in Psychology and advanced specialist expertise as a Clinical Child, Adolescent & Family Psychologist, he has taught postgraduate Counselling and Ethics & Professional Issues in Psychology at Monash University, and organisational leadership at La Trobe University. He is currently a member of the Australian Psychological Society's Professional Practice Advisory Group.

He is known both in Australia and overseas for his past record of innovation and excellence in both the public and private sectors. Simon has developed and promoted new practices, and demonstrated leadership in clinical services, research endeavours and professional development and training. His personal and professional values are embodied in a lifetime commitment to excellence, professionalism and a genuine and effective response to the needs of others. He supervises specialist clinical, counselling and educational psychologists and trains professionals through inventive accreditation schemes, courses and workshops. Simon has produced practitioner manuals, guides and professional and policy papers in a number of areas.

As a Post-doctoral Fellow at Monash University he has researched the early detection, engagement and treatment of mental health problems in schools. He consults frequently to schools, school psychologists and organizations such as the Victorian Schools Innovation Commission (VSIC), Australian Council of Child & Youth Organisations (ACCYO), South Australian Premier’s Department, and in 1997 was invited to advise the Victorian Premier’s Taskforce on Suicide Prevention.

Known internationally for pioneering Wilderness Adventure Therapy® in Australia, Simon established and developed the first clinical adolescent day program and adventure therapy program in Australia in 1992 at the Austin Hospital. He has established and run 50 long-term adventure therapy programs in clinical, community counselling and educational settings. In acknowledgement of this expertise, Simon was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1996 to study other adventure therapy models overseas. He has researched and passionately promoted the professionalisation of the adventure and wilderness therapy field for over 14 years and established the Australian Wilderness Adventure Therapy Accreditation Scheme in 2002 – an international first.