Expert Panel Newcastle

MEET THE PANEL

Dr Bliss Cavanagh

Director, Sensory Design Specialist
Creative Sensory Spaces

Dr Bliss Cavanagh is one of the world’s leading experts in the design and benefits of calming sensory rooms. Published internationally, her PhD research at The University of Newcastle investigated the health and wellbeing benefits of her innovative multisensory environments. Drawn from her experience of living with Tourette syndrome, Bliss brings a personal perspective to her work and is passionate about challenging traditional ways our built environment influences our experience of life. Through her business, Creative Sensory Spaces, she has worked on many major projects within mental health, disability, education, gallery and community settings to engage and resolve issues of accessibility, inclusivity, mental health and wellness. In 2016, Bliss was selected as a Young Social Pioneer by the Foundation for Young Australians for her innovative work in this field.

Dr KATHLEEN DOOLAN

Educational and Developmental Psychologist
Beam Health

Kathleen has a passion for ensuring that evidenced informed mental health supports are meaningfully implemented in a therapeutic setting, that are also informed by lived experience, and up to date practice knowledge to best support positive outcomes for clients and their families. Kathleen brings over 10 years experience working primarily with children and adolescents, across private practice, NDIS and out of home care settings. In recent years, Kathleen has worked with Beam Health and the PHN to implement government funded programs to support people of all ages in the wider Hunter and Central Coast regions.

Louise Thornton

Senior Research Fellow
University of Newcastle

Dr Louise Thornton is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle and Program Lead for Digital Interventions and Engagement at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, at the University of Sydney. She leads a program of research to identify and understand the most effective ways digital technologies can be leveraged to reduce chronic disease risk and improve people’s mental health. Her research primarily focusses on adolescents and young people, and people experiencing mental health problems. Dr Thornton is the NSW representative on the executive for the Society for Mental Health Research (Australian peak body for mental health research) and is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions.

Trent Watson

Chief Executive Officer
ethos Health

Dr Trent Watson is CEO of Ethos Health, a multidisciplinary health and safety business based in Newcastle and the Hunter region. Trent combines this work with a number of appointments including Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Chair of the NSW Mineral Council Obesity subcommittee, media spokesperson with the Dietitians Association of Australia and currently sits on the PHN Board.

Trent completed his undergraduate studies and PhD in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Newcastle, and has continued his research interests in workplace health, with a special interest in obesity, obesity-related lifestyle disease, and fatigue. Trent is a health and safety technology innovator with a mission to find new ways to improve quality, safety performance and accountability of health and safety services through the development of FatigueTech