About Us

Momentum has been developed by a team of researchers and clinicians who have over 20 years of experience in the field of child anxiety, depression, and online psychological treatment programs. The Momentum team and program are supported by the Medical Research Future Fund – Million Minds Mission research program, funded by the Australian Department of Health.

The Momentum Investigators

	Professor Sonja March Professor March holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is the Director of the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) Centre for Health Research. She is a registered Psychologist and a Professor in the School of Psychology and Wellbeing at UniSQ, and is the Momentum project lead. Sonja has over 20 years of experience developing digital and eHealth solutions for child and adolescent mental health concerns, and is an expert in the development and implementation of innovative assessments and interventions for child and adolescent anxiety, depression and general well-being.
	Professor Caroline Donovan Professor Donovan holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Professor in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Caroline is a practising Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of clinical experience and 25 years of research experience working within the field of child and adolescent mental health.
	Professor Britt Klein Professor Klein holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Professor of Digital and Mental Health at Federation University. Britt is a registered Clinical Psychologist, the Director of the Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research & Innovation (BeRI) Hub, and Director of Digital Health & Models of Care Stream at the Centre of Health Innovation & Transformation Centre.
	Professor Vanessa Cobham Professor Cobham holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and holds a joint appointment as both a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland and Advanced Clinical Psychologist with Children’s Health Queensland. Vanessa has been working as a clinician and researcher within the field of child and adolescent mental health for almost 30 years.
	Professor Leanne Hides Professor Hides holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Professor within the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland. Leanne is a Clinical Psychologist and the Director of the Centre of Research Excellence in Meaningful Outcomes in Substance-use Treatment (MOST).
	Professor Susan Spence (OAM) Emeritus Professor Spence holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Sue is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University and holds an Honorary Professor position at the University of Queensland. She is a Clinical Psychologist and a recognised international leader in the causes, assessment, treatment, and prevention of anxiety and depression in youth.
	Professor Alison Calear Professor Calear holds a PhD in Psychology and is a Professor at the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University. Alison heads the Prevention, Promotion and Education Systems research unit at ANU, and is the lead on a new intervention to assist parents to better recognise and respond to suicide risk and psychological distress in young people.
	Professor Lara Farrell Professor Farrell holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Professor at the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Lara is a practising Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of clinical and research experience working within the field of child and adolescent mental health.
	Associate Professor Sanjeewa Kularatna Associate Professor Kularatna has a PhD in Health Economics and is a Principal Research Fellow at the Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation at Queensland University of Technology. He also holds the role of Academic Lead of Post Graduate Research for the School of Public Health and Social Work.
	Associate Professor Melanie White Associate Professor White holds a PhD in Cognitive Psychology and Behaviour Genetics, and is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology and Counselling at the Queensland University of Technology. Melanie is an internationally recognised expert on cognition and health, including the development, enhancement, and evaluation of digital cognitive-based assessment and intervention tools.
	Professor David Kavanagh Emeritus Professor Kavanagh holds a PhD in Psychology and is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Psychology and Counselling at Queensland University of Technology. He also holds an Honorary Professor position at the University of Queensland. David is a Clinical Psychologist and research chair at the Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation at Queensland University of Technology.

Momentum Research Team

The team also includes research fellows and research assistants who have been crucial to the development of Momentum. We would like to thank the entire team for their dedication to child and adolescent mental health and their ongoing support of the Momentum program.

	Dr Arlen Rowe Dr. Arlen Rowe holds a PhD in Psychology and is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Health Research at the University of Southern Queensland. Specialising in child and adolescent mental health, Dr. Rowe’s research centres on the development of evidence-based digital mental health platforms. With a keen focus on adherence and engagement behaviours, Arlen is committed to maximising the benefits of online mental health interventions for young people, ensuring effective support for their mental health and well-being.
	Dr Kirsty Zieschank Dr Kirsty Zieschank holds a PhD in Psychology and is a Research Fellow specialising in Digital Mental Health and Assessment at the Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland. Dr Zieschank’s research focuses on the early detection of emotional and behavioural problems and the codesign and development of digital mental health screening and assessment tools tailored to children. Kirsty is committed to advancing psychoeducational support programs for children and their families, aiming to enhance well-being and resilience in young populations.
	Dr Evren Etel Dr Evren Etel holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and is a Research Fellow in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Evren’s research interests lie in the areas of social and cognitive development of children in typical developmental contexts and children living in rearing institutions; parenting practices and socio-cultural factors that influence health and developmental outcomes for children; and digital mental health interventions for children and their caregivers.
	Dr Laura Uhlmann Dr Laura Uhlmann holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a Post Doctoral Researcher in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Laura is a practising Clinical Psychologist and an early career researcher with experience in the fields of eHealth, child and adolescent mental health, female body image and paediatric behavioural sleep problems. Laura’s main role in Momentum was to help create and implement the treatment content for the various Momentum programs