3.2.D Moral Injury on an in-patient unit for First Responders - Rapid Fire Optimisation of Treatment Approaches
Tracks
Concurrent Session B
| Friday, May 22, 2026 |
| 10:40 AM - 11:05 AM |
| Chancellor 2 |
Overview
Presenter: Dr Julie Simes-Phillipps
Details
Chairs: Assoc Prof Lindsay Carey & Dr Victoria Thomas
Speaker
Dr Julie Simes-Phillipps
PTSD Lead Psychiatrist
Deakin Private Hospital
Moral Injury on an in-patient unit for First Responders - Rapid Fire Optimisation of Treatment Approaches
Abstract Document
By the time a First Responder requires in-patient care, moral injury treatment approaches are often secondary to more pressing clinical concerns around substance detoxfication and managing acute suicidality.
Once addressed, PTSD symptomology often presents as somatic manifestations of disrupted sleep, physiological hyperarousal and low motivation, again inhibiting the unpacking of moral injury considerations. Cultural competency around the vagaries of whatever uniform is involved is essential to create an authentic third space where the work of therapy may begin, but is often lost in the noise of structured program work and capturing rating scales of distress.
This talk outlines why a new approach is needed - one that reframes moral injury around a medical leadership paradigm in order to facilate sustained self-recovery.
Once addressed, PTSD symptomology often presents as somatic manifestations of disrupted sleep, physiological hyperarousal and low motivation, again inhibiting the unpacking of moral injury considerations. Cultural competency around the vagaries of whatever uniform is involved is essential to create an authentic third space where the work of therapy may begin, but is often lost in the noise of structured program work and capturing rating scales of distress.
This talk outlines why a new approach is needed - one that reframes moral injury around a medical leadership paradigm in order to facilate sustained self-recovery.
Biography
Julie served in the ARA for over 20 years, in roles from soldiering in Norforce to a uniformed MO at Enoggera.
Eventually moving on to a fellowship in psychiatry, Julie specialises in trauma, PTSD and first responder mental health treatment. Her approach considers developmental origins, uniformed workplace stressors and how these intersect to impact expressions of resilience.
