Dr Tom Edwards

Beginning his career in embryology and then receiving a PhD in behavioural neuroscience, all before training as a counsellor, allows Tom to bring a wide breadth of knowledge to both course design and to his teaching. Seeking to work alongside students as colleagues-in-training Tom is passionate about helping junior students to case conceptualise well, treatment plan appropriately, and evaluate clinical outcomes accurately. When working with senior students Tom enjoys extending their knowledge into area of counselling which may be considered state-of-the-art.

Role:

1. Counselling Programs Director
2. Unit Leader and teacher

Biography: Beginning his career in embryology and then receiving a PhD in behavioural neuroscience, all before training as a counsellor, allows Tom to bring a wide breadth of knowledge to both course design and to his teaching.  Seeking to work alongside students as colleagues-in-training Tom is passionate about helping junior students to case conceptualise well, treatment plan appropriately, and evaluate clinical outcomes accurately.  When working with senior students Tom enjoys extending their knowledge into area of counselling which may be considered state-of-the-art.

With his PhD students Tom is also a keen researcher in counselling-related virtues such as hope, forgiveness, and honour and publishes in international journals. He and a colleague have even had the unique distinction of having their research favourably mentioned in the Commonwealth Parliament.  As to professional and community engagement Tom sees a limited number of clients at Crossway Lifecare, supervises counsellors and PhD students, reviews manuscripts for journals, has consulted with industry, and is a board member of the Christian Research Association.

Research profile:  Tom is an established author in the neuroscience and mental health literature.  He has also authored a textbook in statistics and is the co-author of The Freedom of Virtue: Navigating excellence in the art of living amongst a world of instant gratification (2019).  For a list of Tom’s publications please see his ResearchGate profile.

Grants:  Two large grants won. 

Prizes and awards:

2025     Nominee: ACA counsellor of the year and ACA researcher of the year.

2022     Certificate of Appreciation – Presented by Mr Jason Wood MP (Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs).

2021     The LaTrobe Service Award – Presented by the Hon. Jason Wood MP (Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety & Multicultural Affairs).                   

2013      Institutional nominee: C’wealth OLT citation for outstanding contribution to student learning.

2007     The Malcolm B. Menelaus Award – Spina Bifida Foundation of Victoria.

2007      International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) congress poster prize.

2005      Excellence in Teaching Award – School of Psychology, Psychiatry & Psychological Medicine, Monash

University. 

2004      Joint nominee: Vice Chancellor’s award for excellence in team-based educational development.   

2003      Australian Neuroscience Society (ANS) poster prize.

Media expertise:  The role of virtues (e.g., hope and forgiveness) in living “the good life” from the perspective of a mental health professional.  In this capacity he has been a guest on ABC RN God Forbid (2018).