Delwyn Bartlett is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Central Clinical School of Medicine at the University of Sydney where she received her PhD in 2002. She is a registered psychologist (NSW Psychologist Registration No: PS004005) who has been predominantly working in the area of sleep health and psychology since 1993. She treats patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and parasomnias as well as depression and anxiety.   She grew up in New Zealand and has lived in Australia for 36 years.

 

Delwyn has been involved in sleep research in Australia since 1993. Some of her recent roles have included a chief investigator (NHMRC project grant App 457355) examining the efficacy of a CBT intervention to improve the uptake and adherence to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.  The outcomes from this study have been published in a peer reviewed journal. She was also a chief investigator investigating a CBT insomnia intervention for adolescents with sleeping problems funded by Rotary as well as an associate investigator examining the effectiveness of different doses of melatonin in individuals with delayed sleep phase disorder. Currently she is chief Investigator for a BUPA grant looking at as CBT sleep intervention for first time mothers to reduce the risk of post natal depression.

 

Delwyn has been responsible for bringing an internationally validated group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme to Sydney via the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She now offers this at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent’s Clinic and Hornsby Sleep Disorders Services. She has also made a relaxation and visualisation CD aimed at helping individuals with sleep difficulties. This can be purchased from the Woolcock Institute. Contact us for more information.

 

Delwyn has a strong involvement in community education. She gives talks to GP’s, Cancer support groups, Arthritis Societies of NSW & Victoria, Cerebral Palsy Foundation of NSW, particularly to help parents manage their child’s sleep, Lifeline; Service for the Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) and other specific groups such as Sleep Disorders Australia where the topics have ranged from healthy sleep, shift work, voluntary sleep deprivation (safe driving), insomnia; nightmares and trauma and other sleep disorders. 

 

In addition to being a psychologist, Delwyn is also a registered nurse (1974) and midwife (1976). She has worked as a nurse and midwife both in Australia and in England. Delwyn began combining her skills in midwifery and psychology with her Honours project in 1994 which investigated rates of postnatal depression based on birth location and the impact of a change of birth place in terms of maternal expectations.  Sociodemographics employment and breast feeding were not found to be significantly related to PND in this study and only help from partner help from friends and post birth lifestyle changes were found to be significantly related to PND.  

 

Delwyn also finds time to supervise 3 PhD students; 2 from the University of Sydney and 1 Cotutelle student on exchange from the University of Glasgow. She also co-supervises a Masters student in the Department of Pharmacy who is now undertaking her PhD.

 

Delwyn spends her spare time running, cycling, skiing, reading and travelling. 

 

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

College of Health Psychologists which is a College within the Australian Psychological Society

PhD  Faculty of Medicine, 2002. University of Sydney

BA (Hons), 1994. Macquarie University

BA (Psychol & Educ), 1984. Macquarie University

Registered Midwife (ENGL.), 1976

Registered General Nurse (NZ), 1974.

University Entrance 1970

Australasian Psychological Association (APS)

Member of the College of Health Psychologists

Australasian Sleep Association (ASA)

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) 1994 to 2013

Sleep Research Society (SRS)