About

Dr Julie Rowse

(Bach. O.T. (Hons); PhD)

I am passionate about helping people achieve positive mental health so that they can lead rich and fulfilling lives.

I use relatable stories, metaphors and examples to help leaders understand their own mental health and how to achieve optimal mental fitness for them to perform at their best. As a qualified mental health occupational therapist, speaker, coach and now author, I work with businesses, organisations, schools and community groups to develop and implement positive mental health programs and behaviours that stick and are sustainable.

I completed my PhD in 2011, and started Healthy Mind and Soul Pty Ltd in 2016. I’ve worked in public and private settings for over two decades and bring a wealth of knowledge and practice wisdom to the work that I do.

I love to share my knowledge to empower others and have presented at a variety of mental health conferences nationally here in Australia and around the world in Canada, the United States, Britain and New Zealand.

I live in regional Victoria, Australia. I value my own mental health and often go bush walking or to the day spa to help me to de-stress.

I believe it is through our leaders that we can improve the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in our world.

Feedback from leaders who have worked with Julie

"Sessions with Julie help me a lot"

"Working with Julie I feel listened to, valued and supported."

"Some of the best training I have done for a while."

"Julie’s PD was really beneficial, I like the visual way she presents it and with the examples."

"Julie is the queen of training!"

2010
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – School of Occupational Therapy Faculty of Health Sciences, LaTrobe University, Melbourne. Thesis: ‘Changing knowledge and practice: Mental health service delivery and consumer fitness to drive’
2004
Certificate in Integrated Biomedical and Educational Strategies for Mental Disorders The Advanced Research Institute for Effective Treatment and Education in Mental Health: ARIETE in Collaboration with Auckland University Department of Psychiatry.
2003
Certificate in Quality Supervision LaTrobe University, Melbourne.
2002
Certificate IV – Workplace Assessment and Training Box Hill Tafe, Melbourne.
1997
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy with Honours LaTrobe University, Melbourne. Thesis: The effect of psychosocial fieldwork experience on job preference.

Previous Presentations

2020 - Poster Presentation, Elective Speaker
New Zealand Mental Health Conference, March 2020, Christchurch, New Zealand. How to recognise the most common mental health disorder in the world and treat it.
2019 - Elective Speaker
The International Mental Health Conference, July 2019, Brisbane, QLD. The Hidden Impact of Mental Health on Relationships.
2018 - Elective Speaker
The MHS Conference, August 2018, Adelaide, SA. Hear The Whisper, Not The Roar. Reform, Reflect and Review.
2016 - Key Note Speaker
The Journey Women’s Conference 2016. 1) Living life to the full while riding the rollercoaster. 2) Go Light Your World.
2015 - Paper
7th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Conference, October 2015, Creswick, VIC. Why rural practitioners value shared support planning. Co-authors: Michelle Harper, Caitlin Doogan, Melissa Maas.
2015 - Poster Presentation
3rd International Youth Mental Health Conference, October 2015, Montreal, Canada. Where is ‘me’ in this? Co-presenter: Michelle Harper.
2015 - Elective Speaker
The Journey Women’s Conference, May 2015. 1) Where are we walking to? – Recognising you are a child of God. 2) Shoulder rides for weary legs - it’s ok to rest.
2014 - Paper
TheMHS Conference, September 2014, Perth, WA. In it together.
2013 - Workshop
5th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, November 2013, Geelong, VIC. How can a mental health service help community agencies in regional and rural Victoria who work with young people who self harm?
2013 - Poster Presentation
2nd International Youth Mental Health Conference, October 2013, Brighton, England. Services can redesign to meet the mental health needs of youth.
2013 - 90 Minute Workshop
TheMHS Conference, September 2013, Melbourne, VIC. Interagency Collaborative Care Planning with the Consumer at the Centre…the way of the future. Co-presenters: Michelle Harper, Leigh Cooksley, Katrina Hishon.
2013 - Brief Paper
TheMHS Conference, September 2013, Melbourne, VIC. If we are to forge a new future we may need to be brave enough to let go of the past. Co-author: Tamara Irish.
2013 - Paper
TheMHS Conference, September 2013, Melbourne, VIC. The New Face of Mental Health: Early Intervention in Kindergartens.
2012 - Paper
4th Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, 19-21 November 2012, Adelaide, SA. Equitable access for young people to mental health services in regional Victoria – is it really possible? Co-presenter: Tara Fitzgibbon.
2012 - Paper
13th International Mental Health Conference, 6-8 August 2012, Gold Coast, QLD. What would I want from a youth mental health service? Co-presenter: Ben Gillett.
2011 - Paper
3rd Australian Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium, November 2011, Ballarat, VIC. Building an Interagency Mental Health Service System to meet the needs of young people with mental health difficulties: A collaborative approach Co-author: Michelle Harper.
2010 - Paper
TheMHS Conference, 14-17th September 2010, Sydney. Why is talking about fitness to drive so hard?
2010 - Paper
National Conference: Consumer-Centred Health Care: Policy, Innovation and Empowerment, 22-23 March 2010. Consumer involvement in mental health research about fitness to drive.
2010 Poster Presentation
WFOT 2010 (World Federation Occupational Therapists) Chile, May. Client Fitness to Drive: Policy Development and Education for Mental Health Professionals. Presented by Dr Linsey Howie, LaTrobe University, on my behalf.
2008 - 90 Minute Paper
ACT Summer Institute 4, June 2008, Chicago. Using art as a therapeutic medium for delivering ACT groups to adolescents with depression or anxiety. Co-author: Dr Louise Hayes (psychologist).
2006 - Accepted Abstract
The Mental Health Services Conference, September 2006, Townsville. How clinicians and carer consultants work together to meet families needs.
2005 - Brief Paper
The Mental Health Services Conference, August 2005, Adelaide. Can I drive? A study of health professionals’ knowledge of patients’ fitness to drive.
2004 - 3 Hour Course
Canadian Psychiatric Association 54th Annual Meeting, October 2004, Montreal, Canada. ‘Shape Up’ Healthy Lifestyle Program: Addressing physical health issues for people with a mental illness - 3 hour Course.
2004 - Paper
International Early Psychosis Association Conference, October 2004, Vancouver, Canada. Beating the Bulge! Addressing weight gain for people on antipsychotic medication.
2004 - Paper
The Mental Health Services Conference, September 2004, Gold Coast. Are you game to take the plunge? How to attract new clinicians to the mental health waters. Co-author: Jackie Warner (Senior Psychiatric Nurse).
2003 - Paper
The Mental Health Services Conference, September 2003, Canberra. ‘Shape Up’ Addressing physical health issues for people with a mental health illness around Victoria.
2002 - Paper
The Mental Health Services Conference, August 2002, Sydney. Activity without a goal or purpose is not therapy. Co-author: Terry Gleeson (Psychiatric Nurse).
2002 - Poster
World Federation of Occupational Therapists – World Congress, June 2002, Stockholm, Sweden. The benefits of a psychosocial rehabilitation program within a community care unit. Presented by Mary Kennedy-Jones, LaTrobe University, on my behalf.
2001 - Guest Presenter
MindBodyLife Forum, November 2001, Melbourne. “Shape Up” Healthy Lifestyle Program.
2000 - Paper
The Mental Health Services Conference, August 2000, Adelaide. “Shape Up” Healthy Lifestyle Pilot Program. Co-author: Meagan Walker (Dietitian).
1999 - Poster
The Mental Health Services Conference, August 1999, Melbourne. How we tackle the tough questions! Eastern View Community Care Unit makes living in the community a reality. Co-author: Terry Gleeson (Psychiatric Nurse).
1999 - Poster
The Mental Health Services Conference, August 1999, Melbourne. When dreams become a reality: a secure extended care unit goes on holidays.