Our research
Explore our evidence-based research.
As part of the focus in evidence-based clinical practice, the UNSW Psychology Clinic collaborates with various researchers to deepen the knowledge base relating to clinical psychology and human experiences. The research projects that the clinic is currently involved in are as below:
UNSW Parent-Child Research Clinic Collaboration
The UNSW Parent-Child Research Clinic offers individual treatment for families of young children (2-7 years) with behavioural problems, as part of clinical research.
The projects are being conducted under the direction of Clinical Psychologist, Dr Eva Kimonis, certified PCIT provider and trainer, and leading researcher of conduct problems in children and adolescents.
The research projects are being conducted within the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, and are approved by UNSW’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC # HC13234, HC14297). Since participation in the clinical research programs must be voluntary, the research is unfortunately unable to take referrals for families who have been court ordered to treatment.
Referral of children who demonstrate the following behaviour problems is encouraged:
- Temper tantrums
- Disobedience
- Arguing
- Anger & irritability
- Aggression
The research clinic is currently enrolling participants into the following two studies:
1.Testing an Adapted Evidence-Based Parent Training Intervention for Treatment-Resistant Conduct Problems in Young Children (HREC Ref: # HC13234)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a scientifically supported intervention for reducing problem behaviours in young children aged 2 to 7 years old. Parent Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, is known to be one of the most effective treatments for conduct problems in young children. PCIT involves the use of “bug in the ear” technology to provide in-vivo coaching to parents from a behind a two-way mirror as parents interact with their child.
Parents will learn play-therapy skills to improve the quality of parent-child relationship, and will also learn how to give more effective commands and implement more consistent discipline strategies. PCIT has been adapted to target the unique treatment needs of young children with conduct problems who show limited prosocial emotions (i.e., low levels of empathy/guilt, callous and uncaring attitudes/behaviours, poor motivation to perform well at school or in structured activities, insensitivity to discipline). Families will be randomly allocated to receive either standard or enhanced PCIT. Treatment is provided free of charge.
2. Testing telemethods to expand the availability of Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for disruptive young children (HREC Ref: # HC14297)
The Parent-Child Research Clinic is currently testing an internet-delivered version of PCIT for families who are unable to access specialised treatment services in their area or are otherwise interested in receiving treatment from their homes. Families will be randomly allocated to receive self-guided PCIT or Internet-delivered PCIT. Treatment is provided free of charge.