About Dr Julie Peterson

Dr Julie Peterson Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons), DPsych (Clin), MAPS, Grad Dip Systemic Couple Therapy, Member ASSERT

Dr Julie Peterson is a Clinical Psychologist, qualified relationship therapist and sexologist. She specialises in the assessment and treatment of individuals, couples and families who have relationship difficulties. Her expertise lies in Asperger's Syndrome and complex relationship concerns.

Julie completed her Doctorate in Psychology (Clinical) at Macquarie University. She is registered with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board, is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a member of the Australasian Society of Sex Educators Researchers and Therapists NSW (ASSERT).

Julie regularly presents at conferences, lectures and workshops.

Research conducted by Dr Julie Peterson:

The Psychological Concept of Fusion: Hedonia or Self/Other Confusion? Unpublished Thesis. This research was conducted as part of the coursework for Honours in Psychology (1st Class) at Macquarie University. The purpose of this study was to come to a greater understanding of how the psychological concept of fusion (particularly emotional fusion) impacts on intimate or close relationships. 152 heterosexual couples that had been married for at least 7 years were recruited and given a questionnaire to complete. The questionnaire included a marital satisfaction measure and 3 fusion measures. It was found that fusion has a both positive and negative impact on marital satisfaction with emotional fusion impacting relationships negatively.

The Role of Punishment in the Forgiveness Process: Does it exist and who is more likely to punish? This research was completed as part of a Doctorate in Psychology (Clinical) at Macquarie University. Julie recently presented her findings at the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists annual conference in Canberra.

Uncovering Punishment in Intimate Relationships: A qualitative analysis of the psychological processes underlying punishment. Unpublished article. Conducted as part of the Doctorate in Psychology (Clinical) at Macquarie University. This research was designed to gain a comprehensive understanding of punishment and the role it plays in the forgiveness process. In particular, it sought to address an apparent contradiction in the existing forgiveness literature, namely that both empathy and punishment are factors in the forgiveness process.

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