About Us

Background

I am a Senior Lecturer at IMPACT, where I have been working since 2013.  Prior to coming to IMPACT, I completed my University studies at the University of Newcastle, NSW, and became a registered clinical psychologist.  I worked in psychiatry, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and general hospital settings. I became interested in developing and implementing new interventions to fill gaps in services for people with co-occurring conditions (e.g. stroke and depression), which led to a career in research. Upon moving to Victoria and joining IMPACT I was able to also become involved in studies of new medications for mental health and substance use conditions.

Research Focus

My research focus is on clinical trials of pharmacological and psychological/service interventions, with a focus on mental health and comorbidity.  My research has involved developing and evaluating novel interventions for people with a range of conditions, including substance misuse, psychotic illness, cardiovascular health risk behaviours, depression, anxiety, heart disease, stroke and diabetes.  More recently I have commenced a program of research developing and evaluating services to better support stroke survivors during their return to work journey. 

Feature Publications

• Berk M, Turner A, Malhi GS, Ng, C., Cotton, S.M., Dodd, S., Samuni, Y., Tanious, M., McAulay, C., Dowling, N. and Sarris, J., 2019. A randomised controlled trial of a mitochondrial therapeutic target for bipolar depression: mitochondrial agents, N-acetylcysteine, and placebo. BMC Medicine, 2019, 17(1), 18.
• Turner A, McGrath JJ, Dean OM, Dodd S, Baker A, Cotton SM, Scott JG, Kavanagh BE, Ashton MM, Walker AJ, Brown E, Berk M. Protocol and rationale: A 24-week double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial of the efficacy of adjunctive Garcinia mangostana Linn. (mangosteen) pericarp for schizophrenia.  Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience, 2019 May 31;17(2):297-307.
• Ward SK, Turner A, Hambridge JA, Halpin SA, Valentine ME, Sweetapple AL, White JH, Hackett ML. Group cognitive behavioural therapy for stroke survivors with depression and their carers. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 2016, 5(12), e009985.
• Turner A, Hambridge J, Baker A, Bowman J, McElduff P. Randomised controlled trial of group cognitive behaviour therapy versus brief intervention for depression in cardiac patients.  Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2013, 14 (3), 235-243.
• Turner A, Hambridge J, White J, Carter G, Clover K, Nelson L, Hackett M (2012) Depression screening in stroke: A comparison of alternative measures with the SCID (Major Depressive Episode) as criterion standard.  Stroke, 2012, 43, 1000-1005.

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.