ProfToby Newton-John

Toby Newton-John is Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health. 

He is an internationally recognised clinical psychologist who has been treating and researching psychological aspects of chronic physical illnesses for 30 years. He is particularly interested in the psychological processes involved in coping with chronic disease and how couples cope when one of them suffers from a long-term physical health condition.

Most of Toby’s work, as clinician and academic, has involved addressing the challenges for people living with chronic pain, but he has also researched HIV, stroke and diabetes. He is passionate about taking what is known from mental health research and testing to see whether the ideas can be applied to these physical domains. His research has involved examining how the social environment can influence long-term adjustment to chronically painful conditions.

In his extensive career as a clinical psychologist, Toby worked in world-leading pain clinics at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, and the ADAPT pain program at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.

Now full-time in academia, he sees his role as training and inspiring the next generation of clinical psychologists. He particularly enjoys supervising research students and working with them to explore research ideas they are interested in pursuing.

Toby has published over 110 peer reviewed articles, book chapters and reviews on the psychology of chronic pain and has lectured in six countries. He regularly provides expert commentary on pain management to the media. 

He is a member of the Editorial Boards for the Canadian Journal of Pain and The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, and an Associate Editor of Australian Psychologist. He is a reviewer for specialist journals including Pain, Clinical Journal of Pain, and the Journal of Health Psychology. 

Toby is a member of the Australian Pain Society, the International Association for the Study of Pain, and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association.