Dr Leander Mitchell

Dr Mitchell is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist who currently holds a Senior Lecturer (Clinical Psychology) position within the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland (UQ). Teaching and learning occurs within the postgraduate psychology space and her role also incorporates that of the Clinical Academic at the UQ Psychology Clinic, where she oversees the practical training of provisional psychologists. Dr Mitchell maintains her clinical practice skills via locum roles, consulting in aged care facilities, & private practice. Dr Mitchell also supervises psychologists who are completing their studies, as well as those looking for ongoing development, particularly in the areas of working with older adults and assessment across the lifespan.

Dr Mitchell's research has primarily focused on clinical areas, including carers of people with dementia, management of BPSD, financial capacity in people with dementia, and more recently, it has turned to anxiety in Parkinson's disease and in dementia. Her PhD considered the topic of wisdom and ageing within a successful ageing framework and her new area of interest is working with animals within the clinical space (but more particularly in relation to coping with the loss of animals, whether that be through death or having to give up pets due to a change in life circumstances). Dr Mitchell is also interested in the role of engagement with nature on mental health and wellbeing, further emphasising her more overarching research theme of improved wellbeing. Her particular area of interest more broadly is geropsychology & she sees her skills as both a Clinical Neuropsychologist & Clinical Psychologist being well-suited to this area. She is also interested in curriculum (including interprofessional contexts), teaching, & supervision issues within the field of psychology. Her overall clinical focus in research, supervision, and in practice, is formed within strengths-based frameworks.

Dr Mitchell is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and is a committee member of the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group. She presents at conferences, psychology meetings, & community group meetings throughout the year. An ad hoc reviewer for a number of ageing-related journals (including International Psychogeriatrics; Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences; & the Australasian Journal on Ageing), she also reviews theses & manuscripts on topics related to ageing in particular. Her expertise has also seen her gain roles within advisory groups (Australian Department of Health) looking at reablement in older adults (both in the community and in aged care), she has also represented mental health in older adults on expert panels linked with the Australian Government, APS, the Australian Association of Gerontology, and Dementia Training Australia.