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Associate Professor Michael Robertson

Clinical Associate Professor
Centre for Values, Ethics & Law in Medicine (VELIM), School of Public Health
Curriculum vitae Curriculum vitae

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Biographical details

Dr Robertson divides his clinical time between a psychotherapy practice at the Blackwattle Clinic in Sydney and forensic psychiatric consultations conducted in NSW and Queensland. He is the Medical Director for The Recovre Group and is an Approved Medical Specialist for the NSW Worker's Compensation Commission.He had worked in acute adult and community psychiatry for 20 years and had been a previous Department Head at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He has previously coordinated a clinical service for survivors of psychological trauma. He is a Committee Member for the Special Interest Group in History, Philosophy and Ethics of Psychiatry (SIGHPEP), of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

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Research interests

Dr Robertson completed his PhD in the area of psychiatric ethics and traumatic stress. He was the chief investigator in a NSW Health funded study examining involuntary psychiatric treatment in the community. He has published in the area of psychological trauma, philosophy and psychiatry, and brief psychotherapy. He has interests including the depiction of psychiatry in cinema and human rights abuses perpetrated by psychiatrists in the Third Reich.

His current research project is an ethical analysis of the psychiatric profession in Nazi Germany.

His latest book, A New Ethics in Psychiatry - the patient, the profession and the community was published by Taylor and Francis in 2013.

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Teaching and supervision

Dr Robertson is the coordinator of BETH 5205 - Ethics in Mental Health unit of study in the Sydney Bioethics Program. He lectures and tutors student in the Sydney Medical Program and contributes to the Medical Humanities teaching program.

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Selected grants

2009

  • Community Treatment Orders: improving clinical decision-making; Robertson M; Health Administration Corporation/Drug and Alcohol Research Grant.
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Selected publications

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Book Chapters

  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2011). Psychiatric ethics and the 'new professionalism'. In Dinesh Bhugra, Amit Malik, Gearge Ikkos (Eds.), Psychiatry's Contract with Society: Concepts, controversies, and consequences, (pp. 221-239). New York, USA: Oxford University Press.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2009). Trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. In Bloch, S~Green, S~ (Eds.), Psychiatric Ethics, (pp. 473-494). New York, USA: Oxford University Press.

Journals

  • Light, E., Robertson, M., Boyce, P., Carney, T., Rosen, A., Cleary, M., Hunt, G., O'Connor, N., Ryan, C., Kerridge, I. (2014). The lived experience of involuntary community treatment: a qualitative study of mental health consumers and carers. Australasian Psychiatry, 22(4), 345-351. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Soh, N. (2013). Milestones for a College and journal. Australasian Psychiatry, 21(1), 5-7. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2013). Psychiatric discourse in the wake of the Editor's retirement. Spinal Cord, 21(6), 603-603. [More Information]
  • Lawrence, J., White, R., O'Connor, N., Robertson, M. (2013). Reflective accounts of psychiatry in Australasia, 1963-2000. Australasian Psychiatry, 21(2), 97-105. [More Information]
  • Light, E., Kerridge, I., Ryan, C., Robertson, M. (2012). Community treatment orders in Australia: rates and patterns of use. Australasian Psychiatry, 20(6), 478-482. [More Information]
  • Light, E., Kerridge, I., Ryan, C., Robertson, M. (2012). Out of sight, out of mind: making involuntary community treatment visible in the mental health system. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(9), 591-593. [More Information]
  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Robertson, M. (2011). Editorial: Improving research cultures in nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(9-10), 1213-1214. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2011). Symposium: Neuroethics and Mental Health - Old Wine in New Bottles or a Legitimate New Field of Bioethical Inquiry. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 8(1), 13-14. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Malhi, G., Soh, N. (2010). Charles Lasegue (1816-1883): beyond anorexie hysterique. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22, 300-301.
  • Ryan, C., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2010). College activities and the ethics of advertising. Australasian Psychiatry, 18(2), 101-105. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Rey, J., Soh, N., Malhi, G. (2010). Electroconvulsive therapy in young people and the pioneering spirit of Lauretta Bender. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(5), 253-254. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2010). Eric Kandel and Aplysia californica: their role in the elucidation of mechanisms of memory and the study of psychotherapy. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(4), 195-196. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2010). WHR Rivers and the politics of trauma. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(2), 87-89. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I. (2009). "Through a glass, darkly": the clinical and ethical implications of Munchausen syndrome. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(4), 217-219. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2009). Commentary on Lopez-Munoz and Alamo. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 2, 54-57. [More Information]
  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2009). Dealing with bullying in the workplace: toward zero tolerance. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 47(12), 34-41. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2009). Ethnomethodological study of the values of Australian psychiatrists: towards an empirically derived RANZCP Code of Ethics. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(5), 409-419. [More Information]
  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2009). Locked inpatient units in modern mental health care: values and practice issues. Journal of Medical Ethics, 35(10), 644-646. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2008). La psychotherapie interpersonnelle (PTI) pour le traitement du trouble de stress post-traumatique (TSPT) [Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]. Santé Mentale au Québec, 33(2), 133-150. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2008). Many faces of the dual-role dilemma in psychiatric ethics. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42(3), 228-235. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Pols, J., Walter, G. (2008). Part 1: Conceptual Issues and the Case of Argentine Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2008). Part 2: A Pilot Ethnomethodological Study. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2008). Synopsis of Psychiatric Ethics: based on six papers published in Australasian Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2008). The social construction of values and the psychiatric profession Part 2: A pilot ethnomethodological study. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Pols, J., Walter, G. (2008). The Social Construction of Values and the Psychiatric Profession. Part 1: Conceptual Issues and the Case of Argentine Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). A Critical Reflection on Utilitarianism as the Basis for Psychiatric Ethics Part I: Utilitarianism as an Ethical Theory. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(1), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). A Critical Reflection on Utilitarianism as the Basis for Psychiatric Ethics Part II: Utilitarianism and Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2, 7-10.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Editorial. Psychiatric Annals, 37, 776-777.
  • Fisher, K., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2007). Narrative Ethics in Psychiatry and the Literature of Youth. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 810-815.
  • Robertson, M., Rushton, P., Batrim, D., Moore, E., Morris, P. (2007). Open trial of interpersonal psychotherapy for chronic post traumatic stress disorder. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 375-379. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics I: Professional ethics and psychiatry. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(3), 201-206. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics II: Virtue ethics and the ethics of care. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(3), 207-211. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics III: principles-based ethics. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(4), 281-286. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics IV: the method of casuistry. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(4), 287-291. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Morris, K., Robertson, M. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics V: utilitarianism and the ethics of duty. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 402-410. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics VI: newer approaches to the field. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 411-416. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2007). Part 1: Psychiatrists and Social Justice - The Concept of Justice. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(2), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M. (2007). Part II: Psychiatrists and Social Justice - When the Social Contract Fails. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(2), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Psychiatric Ethics - A Complicated Challenge [Editorial]. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 776-777.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). The Ethics of Psychiatric Diagnosis. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 792-797.
  • Robertson, M. (2006). Books reconsidered: Emile Durkheim, Le Suicide. Australasian Psychiatry, 14(4), 365-368. [More Information]
  • Reay, R., Fisher, Y., Robertson, M., Adams, E., Owen, C., Kumar, R. (2006). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for postnatal depression: a pilot study. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 9(1), 31-39. [More Information]
  • Stuart, S., Robertson, M., O'Hara, M. (2006). The future of interpersonal psychotherapy. Psychiatric Annals, 36(8), 578-588.
  • Ruzich, M., Looi, J., Robertson, M. (2005). Delayed onset of posttraumatic stress disorder among male combat veterans: a case series. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(5), 424-427. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2005). Power and knowledge in psychiatry and the troubling case of Dr Osheroff. Australasian Psychiatry, 13(4), 343-50. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2005). Psychotherapy research and the idol mind. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 7(4), 5-16.

Edited Journals

  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Psychiatric Annals Volume 37, Issue 12. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12).

Conferences

  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Light, E., Boyce, P., Rosen, A., Carney, T. (2013). Conceptual Models of "Risk" and "Capacity" in Community-Based Compulsory Psychiatric Treatment: Results from an Empirical Study. XXXIIIrd Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH 2013), Canada: International Academy of Law and Mental Health.

2014

  • Light, E., Robertson, M., Boyce, P., Carney, T., Rosen, A., Cleary, M., Hunt, G., O'Connor, N., Ryan, C., Kerridge, I. (2014). The lived experience of involuntary community treatment: a qualitative study of mental health consumers and carers. Australasian Psychiatry, 22(4), 345-351. [More Information]

2013

  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Light, E., Boyce, P., Rosen, A., Carney, T. (2013). Conceptual Models of "Risk" and "Capacity" in Community-Based Compulsory Psychiatric Treatment: Results from an Empirical Study. XXXIIIrd Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH 2013), Canada: International Academy of Law and Mental Health.
  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Soh, N. (2013). Milestones for a College and journal. Australasian Psychiatry, 21(1), 5-7. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2013). Psychiatric discourse in the wake of the Editor's retirement. Spinal Cord, 21(6), 603-603. [More Information]
  • Lawrence, J., White, R., O'Connor, N., Robertson, M. (2013). Reflective accounts of psychiatry in Australasia, 1963-2000. Australasian Psychiatry, 21(2), 97-105. [More Information]

2012

  • Light, E., Kerridge, I., Ryan, C., Robertson, M. (2012). Community treatment orders in Australia: rates and patterns of use. Australasian Psychiatry, 20(6), 478-482. [More Information]
  • Light, E., Kerridge, I., Ryan, C., Robertson, M. (2012). Out of sight, out of mind: making involuntary community treatment visible in the mental health system. Medical Journal of Australia, 196(9), 591-593. [More Information]

2011

  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Robertson, M. (2011). Editorial: Improving research cultures in nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 20(9-10), 1213-1214. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2011). Psychiatric ethics and the 'new professionalism'. In Dinesh Bhugra, Amit Malik, Gearge Ikkos (Eds.), Psychiatry's Contract with Society: Concepts, controversies, and consequences, (pp. 221-239). New York, USA: Oxford University Press.
  • Robertson, M. (2011). Symposium: Neuroethics and Mental Health - Old Wine in New Bottles or a Legitimate New Field of Bioethical Inquiry. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 8(1), 13-14. [More Information]

2010

  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Malhi, G., Soh, N. (2010). Charles Lasegue (1816-1883): beyond anorexie hysterique. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22, 300-301.
  • Ryan, C., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2010). College activities and the ethics of advertising. Australasian Psychiatry, 18(2), 101-105. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Robertson, M., Rey, J., Soh, N., Malhi, G. (2010). Electroconvulsive therapy in young people and the pioneering spirit of Lauretta Bender. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(5), 253-254. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2010). Eric Kandel and Aplysia californica: their role in the elucidation of mechanisms of memory and the study of psychotherapy. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(4), 195-196. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2010). WHR Rivers and the politics of trauma. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 22(2), 87-89. [More Information]

2009

  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I. (2009). "Through a glass, darkly": the clinical and ethical implications of Munchausen syndrome. Medical Journal of Australia, 191(4), 217-219. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2009). Commentary on Lopez-Munoz and Alamo. Acta Neuropsychiatrica, 2, 54-57. [More Information]
  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2009). Dealing with bullying in the workplace: toward zero tolerance. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 47(12), 34-41. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2009). Ethnomethodological study of the values of Australian psychiatrists: towards an empirically derived RANZCP Code of Ethics. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(5), 409-419. [More Information]
  • Cleary, M., Hunt, G., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2009). Locked inpatient units in modern mental health care: values and practice issues. Journal of Medical Ethics, 35(10), 644-646. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2009). Trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. In Bloch, S~Green, S~ (Eds.), Psychiatric Ethics, (pp. 473-494). New York, USA: Oxford University Press.

2008

  • Robertson, M. (2008). La psychotherapie interpersonnelle (PTI) pour le traitement du trouble de stress post-traumatique (TSPT) [Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]. Santé Mentale au Québec, 33(2), 133-150. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2008). Many faces of the dual-role dilemma in psychiatric ethics. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 42(3), 228-235. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Pols, J., Walter, G. (2008). Part 1: Conceptual Issues and the Case of Argentine Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2008). Part 2: A Pilot Ethnomethodological Study. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2008). Synopsis of Psychiatric Ethics: based on six papers published in Australasian Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Kerridge, I., Walter, G. (2008). The social construction of values and the psychiatric profession Part 2: A pilot ethnomethodological study. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M., Pols, J., Walter, G. (2008). The Social Construction of Values and the Psychiatric Profession. Part 1: Conceptual Issues and the Case of Argentine Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 3(1), 1-5.

2007

  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). A Critical Reflection on Utilitarianism as the Basis for Psychiatric Ethics Part I: Utilitarianism as an Ethical Theory. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(1), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). A Critical Reflection on Utilitarianism as the Basis for Psychiatric Ethics Part II: Utilitarianism and Psychiatry. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2, 7-10.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Editorial. Psychiatric Annals, 37, 776-777.
  • Fisher, K., Walter, G., Robertson, M. (2007). Narrative Ethics in Psychiatry and the Literature of Youth. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 810-815.
  • Robertson, M., Rushton, P., Batrim, D., Moore, E., Morris, P. (2007). Open trial of interpersonal psychotherapy for chronic post traumatic stress disorder. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 375-379. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics I: Professional ethics and psychiatry. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(3), 201-206. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics II: Virtue ethics and the ethics of care. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(3), 207-211. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics III: principles-based ethics. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(4), 281-286. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Ryan, C., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics IV: the method of casuistry. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(4), 287-291. [More Information]
  • Walter, G., Morris, K., Robertson, M. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics V: utilitarianism and the ethics of duty. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 402-410. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Overview of psychiatric ethics VI: newer approaches to the field. Australasian Psychiatry, 15(5), 411-416. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2007). Part 1: Psychiatrists and Social Justice - The Concept of Justice. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(2), 1-5.
  • Robertson, M. (2007). Part II: Psychiatrists and Social Justice - When the Social Contract Fails. Journal of Ethics in Mental Health, 2(2), 1-4.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Psychiatric Annals Volume 37, Issue 12. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12).
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). Psychiatric Ethics - A Complicated Challenge [Editorial]. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 776-777.
  • Robertson, M., Walter, G. (2007). The Ethics of Psychiatric Diagnosis. Psychiatric Annals, 37(12), 792-797.

2006

  • Robertson, M. (2006). Books reconsidered: Emile Durkheim, Le Suicide. Australasian Psychiatry, 14(4), 365-368. [More Information]
  • Reay, R., Fisher, Y., Robertson, M., Adams, E., Owen, C., Kumar, R. (2006). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for postnatal depression: a pilot study. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 9(1), 31-39. [More Information]
  • Stuart, S., Robertson, M., O'Hara, M. (2006). The future of interpersonal psychotherapy. Psychiatric Annals, 36(8), 578-588.

2005

  • Ruzich, M., Looi, J., Robertson, M. (2005). Delayed onset of posttraumatic stress disorder among male combat veterans: a case series. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(5), 424-427. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2005). Power and knowledge in psychiatry and the troubling case of Dr Osheroff. Australasian Psychiatry, 13(4), 343-50. [More Information]
  • Robertson, M. (2005). Psychotherapy research and the idol mind. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 7(4), 5-16.
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