About Margo
Qualifications
PhD (Moments of Insight: Self and Change), Macquarie University (earned Vice-Chancellor's Commendation for excellence)
Registered Psychologist, No. PS0058293
BA (Hons) Psychology, MAPS
BA Communication, Charles Sturt University
PhD Topic
My PhD topic was basically self and change. Based in the field of Personality theory specifically in relation to adult development, it explored personal growth and personality change through the phenomenon of "moments of insight", or sudden turning point experiences.
Specifically, the PhD investigated the role these shifts in
perspective might play in prompting developmental "updates" to our
sense of self and the paradigm through which we view ourselves, others
and the world. The contribution of this thesis was to offer an
explanation for an existing theoretical gap in a major developmental
theory of personality (ego development). It offers a new understanding
as to how sudden transitions in ego development might take place.
University Lecturing and Related Experience
Seminar Stream Leader, Personality, PSY305,
Psychology, Macquarie University. This semester-length seminar stream
called "Sense of Self and Change" explored developmental and cultural
aspects of theories of personality and their interface with theories of
personality change. It examined the ways various therapies seek to
facilitate change, as compared with change that appears to happen
spontaneously.
Lecturer, Psychosis Workshop,
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, Macquarie University.
Explored the impact that psychotic illnesses have on a person’s sense
of self, and taught counselling approaches for intern psychologists.
Lecturer, Psychosis I & II,
Bachelor of Counselling and Human Change, and Graduate Diploma Courses,
Jansen Newman Institute of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy, St.
Leonards. Training intern psychotherapists as above.
Lecturer and Tutor,
PHAR1612, Sydney University. Lectures and tutorials on psychology
topics for first year pharmacy students: self-concept and body image;
psychological responses to chronic illness; social support; loss; grief
and dying. Instruction on empathy and its impact.
Lecturer, Suicide Counselling Workshop,
Diploma in Applied Psychology; Clinical & Counselling Masters;
Masters in Social Health, at Macquarie University. This one-day
practical training workshop was run several times each year.
Tutor, Macquarie University: Introduction to Psychology; Research Methods in Personality Psychology
Group Supervisor,
Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Applied Psychology, Macquarie
University. Supervised small-group supervision sessions for intern
psychologists.
Publications
Orum, M. (2008). The role of wellbeing plans in managing bipolar II disorder. In G. Parker, (Ed.) Bipolar II Disorder: Modelling, Measuring and Managing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Orum, M. (1999) Van Gogh and lithium. Creativity and bipolar disorder: perspective of a psychologist/writer. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 33:S114-S116.
Orum, M. (1996) Fairytales in Reality. Sydney: Macmillan