Dr Paul Gertler
BA (Hons.) M. Psychol. (Clin.) PhD.
Clinical Psychologist/Director
Paul has more than 25 years’ experience as a clinical psychologist, mostly in the fields of chronic illness, brain and spinal injury, intellectual disability, chronic pain, depression and trauma. Paul is active in research and completed a PhD in 2020 investigating treatments for depression after traumatic brain injury. He is currently the Director of the NeuroBITE research database. He is a guest lecturer on the Master of Clinical Psychology programmes at UNSW and WSU and he provides supervision to Intern and Registrar Clinical Psychologists. Paul is an active member of professional associations including ASSBI, ACPA and INS. Paul is an accredited assessor of eligibility disputes for iCare Lifetime Care and is FIM accredited.
REGISTRATION:
AHPRA Endorsed Clinical Psychologist
National Registration Number PSY0001342330
MEMBERSHIPS:
Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (AACBT), Member
Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA), Founding Member
Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment (ASSBI), Member
International Neuropsychological Society (INS), Member
EDUCATION:
Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Sydney, 2020
Master of Psychology (Clinical), The University of Sydney, 1998
B.A. Hons (Psychology), University of Newcastle, 1995
B.A. (Psychology and Modern History), UNSW 1992-1994
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
2020 - current
Clinical Senior Lecturer, John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research
Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney
2001 – current
Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice
2003 – 2005
University of NSW, School of Psychology
NHMRC Funded Project “Social-skills building after brain injury”
Project Officer/Clinical Psychologist
2001 – 2003
Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney
Brain Injury Community Rehabilitation Team
Clinical Psychologist and Team Leader
1999 – 2001
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust, Leeds and York (UK)
Clinical Psychologist and Team Leader
1998
Liverpool (NSW) Health Service
Case Manager, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit
Publications
Honan, C.A., Emery, H., Simpson, G., Carrier, S., Gertler, P., McDonald., S., Ownsworth, T., Douglas, J., Wearne, T., Morgan, A., Ponsford, J., Evans, J., Adams, B., Wong, D., on behalf of the TBI Psychosocial Guideline Development Group. (2025). Summary of Guideline. In Australian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Psychosocial Difficulties in Adults with Moderate-to-severe Traumatic Brain Injury. University of Tasmania. DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2025.2558883
Emery, H., McDonald, S., Wong, D., Carrier, S., Gertler, P., … Simpson, G. (2025). Treatments for social cognitive difficulties following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2025.2558883
Simpson, G., Soo, C., Gertler, P., and Whiting, D. (accepted). Counseling and Therapeutic Supports for Persons with Acquired Brain Injuries. In C. Degeneff (Ed.), Cognitive Disabilities and the Practice of Rehabilitation Counseling. Springer Publishing.
Carrier, S., Wong, D., Emery, H., Gertler, P., Simpson, G., Zuber, O., Ownsworth, T., McDonald, S., Douglas, J., Wearne, T., & Honan, C. (in submission). Psychosocial interventions for mental health difficulties following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
McDonald, S., Wearne, T., Wallis, K., Newby, J., Grant, S., Gertler, P., & Simpson, G. (in submission). The efficacy of an online support program for families of people with acquired brain injuries and challenging behaviour: A randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation.
Gertler, P., Emery, H., Doubleday, J., Tate, R. L., Filipčíková, M., Honan, C. A., Wong, D., Carrier, S., Ownsworth, T., Douglas, J., McDonald, S., Wearne, T., & Simpson, G. K. (on behalf of the Guideline Development Group) (in submission). Treatments for behavioural difficulties following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE evaluation.
Gertler, P., & Tate, R. L. (2020). Are single item mood scales (SIMS) valid for people with traumatic brain injury? Brain Injury. Advanced online publication. DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1733087
Gertler, P., & Tate, R. L. (2019). Behavioural activation therapy to improve participation in adults with depression following brain injury: a single-case experimental design study. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2019.1696212
McDonald, S., Trimmer, E., Newby, J., Grant, S., Gertler, P. & Simpson, G.K. (2019). Providing on-line support to families of people with brain injury and challenging behaviour: A feasibility study,Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2019.1696846
Gertler, P., & Cameron, I. (2018). Making Sense of Data Analytic Techniques used in a Cochrane Systematic Review. Brain Impairment, 19(1), 81-90.
Gertler, P., Tate, R. and Cameron, I. (2015). Non-pharmacological interventions for depression in adults and children with traumatic brain injury. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD009871. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009871.pub2
McDonald, S., Tate, R., Togher, L., Bornhofen, C., Long, E., Gertler, P., Bowen, R. (2008). Social skills treatment for people with severe, chronic acquired brain injuries: a multicenter trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 89,1648-59.
Gertler, P. (2006). Angry Young Men: Aggressive Behaviour after Traumatic Brain Injury. InPsych, October 2006.
Hodgson, J., McDonald, S., Tate, R. and Gertler, P. (2005). A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Program for Managing Social Anxiety after Acquired Brain Injury. Brain Impairment, 6, 169-180.
Williamson, J.P., Illing, R., Gertler, P., Braude, S. (2004). Near-drowning treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Medical Journal of Australia, 181, 500-501.
McGuire, B.E., Gertler, P., Kowalczyk, A., Leeder, G. & Yeates, G. (2000). A Paper and Pencil Version of the Rivermead Route and Messages Sub-Test. Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment, 1, 275-282.
Conference presentations
Gertler, P., Emery, H., Doubleday, J., Tate, R. L., Filipčíková, M., Honan, C. A., Wong, D., Carrier, S., Ownsworth, T., Douglas, J., McDonald, S., Wearne, T., & Simpson, G. K. (on behalf of the Guideline Development Group) (2025). “Treatments for behavioural difficulties following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” 7thINS/ASSBI/APS CCN Pacific Rim Conference. Brisbane, Australia.
Gertler, P. (2022). “Using the NeuroBITE database to find evidence-based treatments for brain injury”. 8th National Brain Injury Conference. The University of Sydney, Australia.
Gertler, P., Tate, R.L. and Cameron, I. (2015). “Non-pharmacological interventions for depression in adults and children with traumatic brain injury: a systemic review.” 5th INS/ASSBI Pacific Rim Conference. Sydney, Australia.
Gertler, P. and Tate, R.L. (2015). “Behaviour activation therapy to improve participation and mood of people with depression following brain injury.” Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the WFNR, 12th NR-SIG-WFNR Conference. Daydream Island, Australia
Lane-Brown, A., Simpson, G.K, Gertler, P. (presenting author) and Hodgkinson, A. (2013). “A community-based participation-focused rehabilitation model of care after extremely severe traumatic brain injury.” Meeting of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment, Hobart, Australia.
Gertler, P., Tate, R.L. and Cameron, I. (2011). “Treating depression following traumatic brain injury: are psychological treatments effective?” AACBT 34th National Conference. 26th – 30th October 2011. Sydney, Australia.
Gertler, P., Tate, R.L. and Cameron, I. (2011). “A systematic review of non-pharmacological treatments for depression after TBI.” 8th conference of the Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Special Interest Group of the World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation. 11th – 12th July, 2011. Rotorua, NZ.
Gertler, P. (2006). “Treating a client with TBI and health anxiety using a modified cognitive-behavioural approach.” 29th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment: 27th – 29th April 2006. Rydges Jamison, Sydney.
Gertler, P. (2003). “Applying Behaviour Management Principles in a Community Outreach Program” 26th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment: 3rd – 5th April, 2003. Masonic Centre, Sydney
Gertler, P., McGuire, B. and Kowalczyk, A. (2000). “Reliability of the recovery locus of control scale following brain injury.” Conference on Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. November 2000. Westminster, London.