Professor Margot Schofield

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School of Public Health

Contact Details

Email: m.schofield@latrobe.edu.au
Phone: 03 9479 3702
International: +61 3 9479 3702
Fax: 03 9479 1783
International: +61 3 9479 1783
Office: HS1 325

Qualifications

BA (Qld), DipSc (Newcastle), M Clin Psych (Macq), PhD (Macq)

Interests

Margot Schofield is Professor of Counselling and Psychotherapy, in the School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus.

She is also Director of Research for the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), the peak professional body for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Australia.

Professor Schofield has extensive research and consultancy experience. In research, she has been a principal investigator on research grants worth more than $12 million. For the past 10 years, she has been a principal investigator on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health along with colleagues at the University of Newcastle and Queensland. This large-scale study of over 40,000 Australian women was established in 1996 and has produced a wealth of valuable information about a broad range of factors influencing women's health (www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/wha).

Professor Schofield currently holds an ARC Linkage grant on Evaluation of Couple Counselling in collaboration with Relationships Australia Victoria. She has conducted an important consultancy project for the Victorian Department of Human Services on models of self-regulation for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Australia, and consulted with governments in all states of Australia on regulation, service delivery and employment issues for the profession.

She has published more than 80 book chapters, articles, and reports, and presented more than 100 conference papers in the areas of counselling and psychotherapy, women's health, health promotion and cancer prevention. Professor Schofield's position focuses on development of counselling and psychotherapy research within the school and supervision of postgraduate research students.

Current Academic Research Interests:

Effectiveness of counselling and psychotherapy
- ARC Linkages Evaluation of Couple Counselling Project
Clinical supervision
Use of counselling services
Self-regulation of counselling and psychotherapy
Counselling and psychotherapy workforce surveys
Psychological well-being and quality of life
Violence against women

Other Academic and Professional Interests/Roles:

Director of Research, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (www.pacfa.org.au)
Conjoint Associate Professor in Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle.
Member of International Editorial Advisory Board for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy journal Counselling and Psychotherapy Research (www.bacp.co.uk/research/cpr.html)

Publications

Book Chapters

Kottler, J.A. & Schofield, M.J. (2001). When therapists face stress and crisis: Self-initiated coping strategies. In E.R. Welfel & R.E. Ingersoll (eds), The Mental Health Desk Reference. New York: Wiley Press, pp.426-432.

Schofield, M.J., & Pelling, N. (2002). Supervision of counsellors. In M. McMahon & W. Patton (eds), Supervision in the Helping Professions: A Practical Approach. Sydney, Australia: Pearson Education Australia, pp.211-222.

Schofield, M.J. (2004). Sampling in quantitative research. In V. Minichiello, G. Sullivan, K. Greenwood, & R. Axford, (eds), Handbook of Research Methods for Nursing and Health Science. 2nd edn. Sydney: Addison Wesley and Longman, pp.176-209.

Journal Publications and Published Reports

Schofield, M, Reynolds R, Mishra G, Powers J, & Dobson A. Screening for vulnerability to abuse among older women: Women's Health Australia study. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2002, 21(2), 24-39.

Schofield MJ, Hussain R, Loxton D, Miller Z. Psychosocial and health behavioural covariates of cosmetic surgery: Women's Health Australia study. Journal of Health Psychology, 2002, 7, 445-457.

Hussain R, Schofield MJ, Loxton D. Cosmetic surgery history and health service use in midlife: Women's Health Australia. Medical Journal of Australia, 2002, 176(12), 576-579.

Schofield MJ. Creative meditation to enhance positive feeling states and inner resources. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments and Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice, Special Issue: When Lightening Strikes: The Use of Creativity in Psychotherapy, 2002, 2(2), 59-75.

Lynagh M, Perkins J, Schofield MJ. An evidence-based approach to Health Promoting Schools. Journal of School Health, 2002, 72, 300-302.

Mariño R, Minichiello V, Wright, C, Schofield M. Oral health beliefs and practices among Greek and Italian older Australians: A focus group approach. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 2002, 21(4), 193-198.

Mariño R, Minichiello V, Wright, FAC., Schofield M. Oral health through the life experiences of older Greek and Italian adults. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2002, 8, 20-29.

Schofield MJ, Mishra G. Validity of self-report screening scale for elder abuse: Women's Health Australia study. The Gerontologist, 2003, 43(1), 110-120.

Schofield MJ, Lynagh M, Mishra G. Evaluation of a health promoting schools program to reduce smoking in Australian secondary schools. Health Education Research, 2003, 18(6), 678-692.

Mariño, R., Wright, F.A.C., Schofield, M., Minichiello, V. & Calache, H. (2003). Oral Health Promotion Program for Older Migrant Adults. Accessed: http://fehps.une.edu.au/F/d/health/research/rmoralhealthreport.html

Loxton D, Hussain R, Schofield M. Women's experiences of domestic abuse in rural and remote Australia. Conference Proceedings of the 7th National Rural Health Conference, Hobart, March 2003. Accessed: www.nrha.net.au/nrhapublic/publicdocs/conferences/7thNRHC/Papers/refereed%20IO%20papers/loxton.pdf.

Schofield MJ, Mishra G. Three year health outcomes among older women at risk of elder abuse: Women's Health Australia. Quality of Life Research, 2004, 13(6), 1043-1052.

Outram S, Mishra G, & Schofield MJ. Sociodemographic and health related factors associated with poor mental health in midlife Australian women. Women and Health, 2004, 39(4), 97-115.

Schofield MJ. Counselling and psychotherapy services in the Australian healthcare system: A long way to go. Healthcare Counselling & Psychotherapy Journal, 2004, October, 23-24.

Mariño R, Calache, H., Wright, C., Schofield M., & Minichiello V. Oral health promotion programme for older migrant adults. Gerodontology, 2004, 21, 216-225.

Loxton D, Schofield MJ, & Hussain, R. History of domestic violence and health service use among mid-aged Australian women. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2004, 28(4), 383-388.

Mariño R, Wright, C., Schofield M., Calache, H., Minichiello V. Factors associated with self-reported use of dental health services among older Greek and Italian migrants. Special Care in Dentistry, 2005, 25(1), 12-19.

Schofield MJ. (2005). Clinical supervision: What do we know about reflective practitioner learning processes? Proceedings of the Australian Counselling and Supervision Conference, Brisbane, February 2005.

Khan, A, Hussain, R, & Schofield, MJ. Correlates of sexually transmitted infections in young Australian women. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2005, 16(7), 482-487.

Nagle AL, Hensley MJ, Schofield MJ, Koschel AJ. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of a nurse provided intervention for hospitalised smokers. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2005, 29(3), 285-291.

Hunter S.V. & Schofield, M.J. How therapists cope with traumatized clients: Personal, professional and organizational strategies. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 2006, 28, 121-134.

Schofield MJ. (2005). Experiences of difficult professional issues: Implications for training, supervision and work setting. Proceedings of the Fourth Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators Conference, Gold Coast, April 2005.

Schofield MJ, Grant JA, Holmes S, & Barletta, J. The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia: How the Federation model contributes to the field. International Journal of Psychology, Special Issue, 2006, 41(3), 163-169.

Loxton D, Schofield MJ, Hussain R, & Mishra G. History of domestic violence and physical health in midlife. Violence Against Women, 2006, 12(8), 715-731.

Loxton D, Schofield MJ, & Hussain R. Psychological health in mid-life women who have ever lived with a violent partner or spouse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2006,12(8), 1-18.

Grant, J. A., & Schofield, M. (2007). Career-long supervision: Realities and controversies. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. Special Issue on Supervision, 7(1), 3-11.

Mariño, R., Calache, H., Wright, C., Morgan, M., Schofield, M., & Minichiello, V. (2007). Profile of the oral health of ambulant older Greek and Italian migrants living in Melbourne. Australian Dental Journal, 52(3), 198-204.

Mariño, R., Schofield, M., Wright, C., Calache, H., & Minichiello, V. (2007). Self-reported and clinically determined oral health status predictors for quality of life in dentate older migrant adults. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, DOI: 10.111/j.1600-0528.2007.00378.x.

Quinn, M., Schofield, M., & Middleton, W. (In press, 2008). Conceptualisation and treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 9(1).

Ratnarajah, D., & Schofield, M. (2007). Parental suicide and its aftermath: A review. Journal of Family Studies, 13(78-93).
Schofield, M. (2007). Best Practice Self-Regulatory Model for Psychotherapy and Counselling in Australia: Final report. Submitted to the Department of Human Services, Victoria, June 2007. Melbourne: Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.

Conference Presentations

Schofield MJ. Perceived adequacy of primary counsellor training: PACFA Workforce Survey. Paper presented at the Fifth National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Sydney, 23-25 April, 2004.

Mariño, R., Calache, H., Wright, F.A.C., Minichiello, V., & Schofield, M. A community-based oral health promotion intervention for migrant older adults: Impact evaluation. Poster presented to the 18th World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education, Melbourne, 26-30 April, 2004.

Schofield, MJ. & Hudson, E. Expertise in counselling supervision. Paper presented at the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) 10th Annual Research Conference, The World of Counselling Research, London, 21-22 May, 2004.

Hunter, SV. & Schofield, MJ. The shadow side of empathic connection: A study of therapists. Paper presented at the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) 10th Annual Research Conference, The World of Counselling Research, London, 21-22 May, 2004.

Grant, J. & Schofield, MJ. Psychotherapy supervision after training: Myth or reality? Paper presented at the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) 10th Annual Research Conference, The World of Counselling Research, London, 20-22 May, 2004.

Moir-Bussy, A., Bond, B, & Schofield, MJ. Counsellor training standards for indigenous counsellors. Workshop presented to the First National Conference for Indigenous Counsellors, Psychologists, and Healers. Armidale, 9-11 July 2004.

Schofield, MJ. How psychotherapy research can inform policy and improve practice. Symposium paper presented to the Second National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Exploring the Pragmatics of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Australia. Melbourne Town Hall, 20-21 August, 2004.

Grant, J. & Schofield, MJ. Career-long supervision: Realities and controversies. Paper presented at the Second National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Exploring the Pragmatics of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Australia. Melbourne Town Hall, 20-21 August, 2004.

Schofield, MJ. Future visioning for psychotherapy and counselling in Australia. Paper presented to the Second National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, Exploring the Pragmatics of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Australia. Melbourne Town Hall, 20-21 August, 2004.

Schofield, M.J. Domestic violence and health among mid-aged women: Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Invited seminar presented to Department of Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, August 2004.

Mariño, R., Calache, H., Wright, F.A.C., Minichiello, V., & Schofield, M. A community-based oral health promotion program for older migrant adults: A qualitative evaluation. Paper presented at the 37th National Conference of the Australian Association of Gerontology: Maturing Assets: Appreciating an Ageing Australia, Melbourne, 17-19 November, 2004.

Schofield MJ. Clinical Supervision: What do we know about reflective practitioner learning processes? Paper presented at the Australian Counselling & Supervision Conference, Brisbane, 17-18 February 2005.

Loxton D, Schofield MJ, & Hussain R. Factors that mediate the relationship between intimate partner violence and mental health among mid-aged Australian women. Paper presented at the Australian Women's Health Conference, Melbourne, April 2005.

O'Loughlin S. & Schofield M. Therapist's 'felt sense' in therapy and supervision: reflexivity in the teaching and learning of psychotherapy. Paper presented at the Sixth National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Gold Coast, 22-24 April, 2005.

Schofield M. Experiences of difficult professional issues: Implications for training, supervision and work setting. Paper presented at the Sixth National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Gold Coast, 22-24 April, 2005.

Schofield MJ & Kettle, J. Psychotherapy training in Australia: Perceived adequacy. Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR2005) Conference: A Lasting Effect, Montreal, 22-25 June 2005.

Grant JA & Schofield MJ. Career long supervision: Realities and controversies. Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR2005) Conference: A Lasting Effect, Montreal, 22-25 June 2005.

Schofield, MJ. Does it work? The current state of effectiveness research in Australia. Keynote paper presented to the Third National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia: But Does it Work? Exploring Effectiveness in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Melbourne, 19-20 August, 2005.

O'Loughlin, S. & Schofield, MJ. Client stories: Therapists' experiences and reflections. Paper presented at the Third National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia: But Does it Work? Exploring Effectiveness in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Melbourne, 19-20 August, 2005.

Ratnarajah, D. & Schofield, MJ. The construction of meaning following parental suicide. Paper presented at the Third National Conference of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia: But Does it Work? Exploring Effectiveness in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Melbourne, 19-20 August, 2005.

Schofield, MJ. Psychotherapists in Australia: A Workforce Profile. Paper presented at the World Congress for Psychotherapy, Buenos Aires, 27-30 August 2005.

Schofield, MJ. Challenging professional issues reported by Australian therapists. Paper presented at the World Congress for Psychotherapy, Buenos Aires, 27-30 August 2005.

Schofield, MJ. Are psychotherapists adequately trained in research and evaluation skills? Paper presented at the World Congress for Psychotherapy, Buenos Aires, 27-30 August 2005.

Loxton D, Powers J, Schofield MJ, & Hussain R. Gynaecological health among mid-aged women who have experienced partner violence. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Epidemiological Association, Newcastle, 6-7 October 2005.

Schofield M. The personal therapy debate: What do we know about the training and personal characteristics of therapists who have personal therapy? Paper presented at the Seventh National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Adelaide, 1-3 April, 2006.

Schofield M. Our research landscape: Australian therapists training in research and evaluation skills. Paper presented at the Seventh National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Adelaide, 1-3 April, 2006.

Schofield MJ. Professional challenges for Australian therapists: Implications for training, supervision and practice. Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR2006) Conference, Edinburgh, 21-25 June 2006.

Grant JA & Schofield MJ. Supervision of psychotherapy: Espoused theory and theory-in-practice . Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR2006) Conference, Edinburgh, 21-25 June 2006.

Schofield, M.J. (2007). The nexus between research and clinical training: How research training impacts on clinical practice. Keynote Paper presented at the Eight National Conference of the Society for Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE), Sydney, 4-6 May.

Healy, M., & Schofield, M.J. (2007). Adjustment to university for local and international students: Attachment relationships, problem coping style and cultural identity. Paper presented at the 2nd European First Year Experience Conference, Gothenburg, Sweden, 9-11 May.

Schofield, M.J. (2007). What psychotherapists learn from doing qualitative research. Paper presented at the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR2007) Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, 20-24 June.