Diana Dorstyn

Dr Diana Dorstyn

Senior Lecturer

School of Psychology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I am a registered psychologist and mid-career researcher with a specialist interest in rehabilitation after a major trauma or disability. This includes the important role of social support networks through family, friends and the community, in promoting health outcomes. I am also interested in the application of internet-based interventions, often referred to as e-health, as a psychological therapy service.

Recent Projects

Rehabilitation psychology is my specialty. This interest stems from many years of experience working as a senior psychologist in healthcare settings.

My research has made a real difference to South Australians living with a physical disability. More recently, I worked with a statewide service provider, the Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of South Australia Ltd to help establish a much-needed counselling service for job-seekers with a spinal cord injury. I am now working with a return-to-work provider, WorkGain, to examine the value of work simulation within a therapeutic setting for employees wanting to return to work following a workplace injury.

The International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting 2021
60th International Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting, 2021

 

In the Media

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2018 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2016 - ongoing Member, Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee CSIRO
    2012 - 2017 Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2015 Professional Member Guardianship Board of South Australia
    2003 - 2012 Senior Clinical Psychologist SA Health
    1997 - 2003 Clinical Psychologist Julia Farr Services

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Research Award Women's Research Excellence Award University of Adelaide Australia $5000

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2007 - 2012 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1995 - 1996 University of Adelaide Australia MPsych (Clinical)
    1991 - 1994 University of Adelaide Australia BA (Hons)

  • Research Interests
    Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology Psychology Rehabilitation

External Competitive Funding

Date Project Investigators Funding Body  AUD
2021 Work Gain: Experiences of a work-specific rehabilitation
program		 Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Roberts R, Oxlad M (University of Adelaide), Fedoric B, Roberts T (WorkGain) Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia 120,100
2020

SCI Research Collaboration Grant

 Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Fraser W, Kuberek S (Paraquad SA) Spinal Research Institute

 2,500
2020-2022 Sagittal synostosis: Psychological outcomes Roberts R, Osborn A, Dorstyn D (University of Adelaide) Australian Cranio-Maxillo Facial Foundation (Craniofacial Australia)

276,816
2019 Development and evaluation of an online peer-supported intervention for job-seekers with multiple sclerosis Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Oxlad  M (University of Adelaide), Craig A (University of Sydney), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Murphy G (La Trobe University) Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Incubator Grant

25,000
2019 Work and SCI: development of a return-to-work assessment and counselling service for injured job-seekers living in the community Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Craig A (University of Sydney), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney) Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia 94,507
2016 Work and SCI: an online course to enhance vocational outcomes following spinal cord injury Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Marshall R, Clark J (SA Health/University of Adelaide), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney) auDA Foundation

22,280
2015 Development and preliminary trial of an online vocational program for Australian adults with spinal cord injury.

Dorstyn D, Roberts R, Chur-Hansen A (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Stewart P (Paraquad SA), Marshall R, Clark J (SA Health/University of Adelaide), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney)

 Lifetime Support Authority of South Australia

61,000
2014

Online vocational rehabilitation for adults with MS: Does it work?

Dorstyn D, Roberts R (University of Adelaide), Murphy G (La Trobe University), Kneebone I (University of Technology Sydney), Migliorini C (Monash University), Craig A (University of Sydney), Fields D (SA Health)

 Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia Incubator Grant 20,985

 

Consulting Projects

Date Project Investigators Contractor AUD
2021

Design a Telehealth Framework for Adaptation in Workers’ Compensation Environments for Injured Workers

Whetton S, Dorstyn D, Chur-Hansen A, Abdul Halim S (University of Adelaide)

 WorkSafe Vic

224,615
2021 National Disability Employment Strategy Report O'Neil M, Abdul Halim S, Dey T, Dorstyn D, Kosturjak A, Whetton S (University of Adelaide) Dept. of Social Services

167,106
Program Coordination

Postgraduate (HDR) Co-ordinator

Master of Psychology (Clinical) Co-Coordinator

 
Course Coordination

Interviewing and Intervention (PSYCHOL 7131, 7231)

Research Project in Clinical Psychology I (PSYCHOL 7144)

 
Teaching

Interviewing and Intervention (PSYCHOL 7131, 7231)

Professional Practice (PSYCHOL 7331)

Master of Psychology (Clinical) Placement I, II, III (PSYCHOL 7140, 7141, 7143)

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 Principal Supervisor Burnout in General Practice Registrars: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr Shaun Mark Lawrence Prentice
    2018 Principal Supervisor Assessing the Benefit of Co-joint App Based Mindfulness Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their Caregivers Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr Matthew Ronald Hartley
    2017 Principal Supervisor Examining Older Adults' Use of Digital Technologies to Socially Connect Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Belinda Grace Fuss

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Stem Cell Treatments for Stroke: A Biopsychosocial Perspective Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Clinical) Doctorate Full Time Mr David John Unsworth
    2013 - 2016 Co-Supervisor University Students' Mental Health Help-Seeking: Intention and Service Use Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Wenjing Li
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83130649
  • Email: diana.dorstyn@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Hughes, floor 5
  • Org Unit: Psychology
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