Dr Deborah Koder is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychological Sciences and a clinical psychologist who has been working with older adults for the past 35 years. She has taught clinically in geropsychology for many years and has supervised clinical psychology trainees across a variety of clinical settings. She is passionate about promoting working with older adults amongst clinical psychologists. 

She has made significant contributions to the research literature on applying cognitive behavior therapy to older adults with depression and anxiety and has been part of several successful grant applications. Deborah also held a long-term position as clinical supervision co-ordinator for the National Telehealth Service for Residential Aged Care at Swinburne University of Technology’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults. She is involved in randomized controlled trials at Swinburne evaluating cognitive behavioral treatment programs and improving access to mental health services in residential aged care settings. 

Her contribution to the field was recognized by being awarded the APS Clinical College Alistair Heron Prize for excellence in ageing research and practice in 2020.