Vicking Cowling, OAM, is an accredited social worker (MAASW) and registered psychologist (MAPS), (BA, BSW, GradDipBehavHlth, GradDipChildPsychotherapy, MA (Psychology/Research).
Since 1993, Vicki has undertaken research and project initiatives which have focused on practitioners, primary school children, and inter-agency collaboration.
Vicki has been committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of professionals and the community through numerous conference, seminar and workshop presentations, publication of two books - Children of Parents with Mental Illness (1999), and Children of Parents with Mental Illness 2: Personal and Clinical Perspectives (2004), the development of professional education programs, and further research.
For many years, Vicki has worked in partnership with consumers who are parents of dependent children, carers, and adults who grew up with a parent with a mental illness. Until 2004 Vicki worked in Melbourne, then moved to Newcastle to take up her present position which involves contributing to improving service delivery for the children and their families through professional development, service change, and direct clinical work with children in partnership with adult mental health.
Vicki was awarded an overseas study tour fellowship by The Creswick Foundation in 2000, and is a member of the AICAFMHA (Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association) National COPMI Project Reference Group. In 2005 Vicki was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to the community, particularly for her advocacy for children of parents with mental illness.
