Welcome to PhD candidate, Tooba Fatima!

Under the supervision of A/Prof Shalini Arunogiri, Ms Fatima’s PhD will focus on Written Exposure Therapy as treatment for substance use disorder, trauma and other co-morbidities.

“From my experience as a psychotherapist, I know that the lived experience of trauma survivors is complex, and therapies that can prove effective within a complex and often resource-strapped clinical landscape can be immensely helpful,” Ms Fatima says.

To deliver meaningful change, her project will investigate treatments that can meet the complexities of co-occurring substance use and trauma, which often maintain each other and worsen symptoms.

“Written Exposure Therapy is emerging as a promising evidence-based practice for trauma,” Ms Fatima says. “It is brief, and less confronting exposure through writing shows lower dropout from research participants compared to other exposure therapies.”

Ms Fatima is a PACFA-registered psychotherapist who specialises in working with adult survivors of childhood abuse and relational trauma. She also works as a counsellor/advocate with survivors of sexual assault in Victoria.

In her diverse practice, she works with clients from Australia, North America and South Asia.

“As I enter my post-graduate research degree after several years of practice, I am passionate about integrating my experience on the ground with research that can create meaningful, effective and efficient interventions for clients.”

Ms Fatima is excited to be working with supervisors who are experts in their field, and chose Turning Point for her studies because it is a centre of excellence for research and interventions in the AOD field.

“I greatly appreciate their attention to co-morbidities and complexities in the clinical presentation of anyone struggling with substances,” Ms Fatima says.

Learn about her research.

Learn about her professional practice.

Learn more about opportunities for research students at Turning Point.