Deborah Koder

Dr. Deborah Koder is a Lecturer in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology, School of Health Sciences, where she teaches and supervises postgraduate clinical psychology students. She is also a clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience specializing in geropsychology, particularly in residential aged care settings. Her work spans clinical practice, research, supervision, and policy advocacy, with a strong focus on improving mental health access for older adults.

• PhD, James Cook University
• Master of Psychology (Clinical), University of Sydney
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons), University of New South Wales
• Master of Leadership (Health and Human Services), University of Tasmania
• Graduate Certificate of Higher Education Learning and Teaching, Deakin University

Dr. Koder’s research centers on the application of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression and anxiety in older adults, especially within residential aged care. She investigates barriers to mental health care, develops and evaluates CBT adaptations for cognitively impaired residents, and promotes systemic models involving staff and families. Her work emphasizes training, supervision, and service delivery innovation to build workforce capacity in geropsychology. She leads and contributes to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and translational research aimed at improving psychological care in under-served aged care populations.

Her recent publications highlight trends in adapting CBT for nursing homes, evaluating clinical placements, and conducting large-scale prevalence studies of mental illness in aged care. These works reflect a consistent focus on evidence-based, accessible, and collaborative mental health interventions. She has secured major external funding from The Ian Potter Foundation and The Arcare Family Foundation to scale up psychological service delivery models. Her research bridges clinical practice and policy, often informing national guidelines and training frameworks.

• Alistair Heron Prize for Excellence in Ageing Research and Practice (2020)
• Hesta Award Team Excellence in Aged Care (2000)
• Vice Chancellor Community Engagement Award, Swinburne University of Technology (2000)

Dr. Koder actively supervises HDR students and has coordinated clinical placements for Swinburne’s postgraduate psychology programs. She has held leadership roles in research grants focusing on improving evidence-based psychological treatments in aged care. Her professional activities include membership in the Australian Psychological Society, Psychology and Ageing Interest Group, and the Clinical Supervision Research Collaborative. She has served on national committees and contributed to policy discussions on psychologist roles in aged care.

She is a key figure in the Swinburne Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, where she previously served as Clinical Supervision Co-ordinator for the National Telehealth Service. Her work continues to shape clinical training, supervision frameworks, and mental health service models in residential aged care through collaborative, interdisciplinary teams.