Dr Vivienne Lewis

Biography

Dr Lewis is a practicing psychologist (Clinical) who specializes in body image, a person’s perception of, attitudes and feelings towards their physical body and how this relates to their well-being and mental health. She is currently engaged in researching and running therapeutic groups for men and women who want to improve their body image as well as assisting parents promote positive body image in their children as well as prevent eating disorders. This program is called Positive Bodies: Loving The Skin You’re In.

Dr Lewis has worked clinically in Canberra and Perth with men, women and children in areas including eating disorders, child abuse, trauma, mental health, disability, substance abuse and intellectual disabilities. She is a member of the professional body The Australia Psychological Society and is the previous ACT State Chair. Dr Lewis runs a clinical practice specializing in adolescents and adults with eating disorders. She won a Vice Chancellor’s Award for excellence in teaching in 2008. She currently teaches and supervises mainly in the Psychology Clinical Masters Program but also in the honours and undergraduate programs.

Teaching Areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychopathology
  • Child Psychopathology

Research Interests

  • Body image
  • Eating Disorders
  • Clinical Psychology

Selected Publications and Presentations

Lewis, V & Devaraj, S. (2010). Body image and women’s mental health: an evaluation of a group intervention program. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 25 (2), 01-18.

Devaraj, S. & Lewis, V ( 2010). Enhancing positive body image in women. An evaluation of a group intervention program. Journal of Applied Biobehavioural Research, 15 (2), 103-116.

Dunn, J, Lewis, V, and Patrick, S.  (2010). The Idealisation of Thin Figures and Appearance Concerns in Middle School Children. Journal of Applied Biobehavioural Research, 15 (3), 133-142.

Lewis, V (2011). The MHS conference proceedings. Mental Wellbeing Conference, Sydney, September 2010. Body image concerns in male and female adults. The effects of psychological group intervention.

Lewis, V (2010). Appearance Matters 4. Body image and group intervention. Abstract published in Body Image, Volume 7, Issue 4 October 2010.

Opening of 'Scaling the Heights to Freedom' for National Youth Week 10th April 2008, Civic Square outside the Legislative Assembly. I spoke on eating disorders to raise awareness.

Lewis, V. (2008). Body image, mental health and adult intervention. In the 2008 Vario Health Conference Proceedings (p64-71). Perth.

Lewis, V & Devaraj, S. (2008). Positive Bodies: Loving the Skin You're In. The Outcome of a body image group program for Australian adults. Paper Presented at the 43rd Annual Australian Psychological Society Proceedings. Hobart

Lewis, V & Patrick, S. (2008). The Idealization of Thin Figures and Appearance Concerns in Middle School Children. In the 43rd Annual Australian Psychological Society Proceedings. Hobart.

Lewis, V. (2006). Body image in context: The relationship between body image, goal striving and well-being. Abstract in Body Image: An International Journal of Research. Volume 3, Issue (2) on line.

Lewis, V., & Donaghue, N. (2005). The embeddedness of body image: A study of women with and without eating disorders. Journal of Applied Biobehavioural Research, 10 (4), 199-208.

Lewis, V. & Donaghue, N. (1999). Self-depreciation and estimates of body size in women. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 89, 165-171.

Gunn, A. K., Gross, J. B., & Lewis, V. (2005). Gender differences in the role of weight discrepancy, body mass index, efficacy and body satisfaction in predicting social physique anxiety. In T. Morris, P. Terry, S. Gordon, S. Hanrahan, L. Ievleva, G. Kolt, & P. Tremayne. (Eds.), Promoting Health and Performance for Life: Proceedings of the ISSP 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology [CD-ROM]. Sydney: International Society of Sport Psychology.

Lewis, V. (2006). Body image in Australia. Abstract in proceedings of the 26th International Congress of Applied Psychology [CD ROM]. Athens, Greece.

Lewis, V. & Donaghue, N. The Embeddedness of body image: A study of gender and clinical differences, paper presented at the University of Canberra Gadi Research Centre, 3rd September, 2004.

Gasson, N. Blosfioeld, M. Lewis, V. Tooley, G. & Albion, M. (2006). Cyberpsych multimedia CD-Rom for Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition. Enhanced Edition. Wiley: Queensland.

Gasson, N. Blosfioeld, M. Lewis, V. Tooley, G. & Albion, M. (2006). Cyberpsych multimedia CD-Rom for Psychology: Australian and New Zealand Edition. Wiley: Queensland.

Contributor to Thomson Learning (2006 and 2007). 1st year Introduction to Psychology. Wadsworth: Victoria.

Address to Members of Parliament on Body Image and Eating disorders. October 18th 2006, Parliament House, Canberra.

Lewis, V. Eating Disorders in Australia. Paper presented at the Singapore Psychological Society, Singapore, 4th August, 2005.

Lewis, V. Body image and eating disorders in Australia, paper presented at the Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, 27th July 2005.

Professional Qualifications & Memberships

  • Registered Psychologist
  • Member, Australian Psychological Society
  • Member, College of Clinical Psychologists, Australian Psychological Society
  • ACT State Chair of the Australian Psychological Society 2008-2010. 
  • Vice Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence 2008