Dr Vijaya Manicavasagar

Dr Vijaya Manicavasagar trained as a Clinical Psychologist and has more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice, and teaching, training and mentoring other mental health professionals. She has published in the fields of Positive Psychology, Resilience and Mindfulness and brings a wealth of clinical and organisational experience to improving workplace mental health and wellbeing.

Her previous role as the Director of Psychological Services at the Black Dog Institute involved developing clinical services and education/training programmes for psychologists, general practitioners, and other mental health professional. She has also been responsible for the development and dissemination of several workplace programmes including those for the NSW Police Force, the Department of Defence, and the Judicial Council of Victoria. For the last few years, Dr Manicavasagar has been working to develop mental health programmes and train airline pilots in peer-support through the Pilot Assistance Network (PAN).

Dr Manicavasagar is currently the Director of the EastCoast Psychology and Psychiatry Clinic (www.eastcoastpsychiatry.com.au) in Sydney and Co-Director of EastCoast Wellbeing (www.eastcoastwellbeing.com) which specialises in workplace mental health including enhancing mental health literacy, providing resilience training, and promoting wellbeing.

Dr. Vijaya Manicavasagar is a distinguished clinical psychologist renowned for her expertise in Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder. With an illustrious career dedicated to the advancement of mental health, Dr. Manicavasagar has made significant contributions to the field, particularly in understanding and treating anxiety disorders in adults. Her work has been instrumental in the recognition and inclusion of Adult Separation Anxiety Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), reflected in her role on the DSM committee.

Dr. Manicavasagar holds a PhD in Psychology and is the former Director of Psychological Services at the Black Dog Institute, and Conjoint Assoicate Professor at the School of Psychiatry, UNSW. She has spent several decades in clinical practice and academic research, and publishes research on adult attachment.

Dr Vijaya Manicavasagar has contributed to advancing the field of psychiatry and clinical psychology for over 35 years in her research, teaching and clinical work. She and her team were the first to describe and define adult separation anxiety disorder which was previously overlooked in clinical practice.