))
The Aussie Psychologist who ended up running a New Orleans Prison
Manage episode 517521938 series 2934054
Dr Astrid Birgden is a consultant Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and NDIS Behaviour Support Specialist who has years of experience working in corrections and disability settings.
Astrid's career is quite extraordinary. She is a trailblazer in behaviour intervention support in Australia and worked overseas on international projects. She has even been an assistant sheriff/warden of a remand centre in New Orleans.
We caught up with Astrid at the Complex Needs Conference in March 2025 where she was part of a panel discussion on Integrating mental health, disability, and human rights for comprehensive support.
ermha365 provides mental health and disability support for people in Victoria and the Northern Territory. Find out more about our services at our website.
Helplines (Australia):
Lifeline 13 11 14
QLIFE 1800 184 527
13 YARN 13 92 76
Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467
ermha365 acknowledges that our work in the community takes place on the Traditional Lands of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and therefore respectfully recognise their Elders, past and present, and the ongoing Custodianship of the Land and Water by all Members of these Communities.
We recognise people with lived experience who contribute to GET REAL podcast, and those who love, support and care for them. We recognise their strength, courage and unique perspective as a vital contribution so that we can learn, grow and achieve better outcomes together.
Chapters
1. Acknowledgement And Opening (00:00:00)
2. Meet Dr Astrid Bergden (00:01:12)
3. Career Origins In Corrections (00:02:28)
4. Building Behaviour Support And Courts (00:03:43)
5. Therapeutic Jurisprudence Explained (00:05:03)
6. Running A Drug Treatment Prison (00:06:12)
7. The New Orleans Jail Story (00:07:35)
8. Culture, Safety And Systemic Failures (00:09:24)
9. Human Rights Framework For Forensic Disability (00:11:30)
10. Punishment Versus Rehabilitation (00:13:12)
11. Bail Law Concerns And Net Widening (00:14:50)
12. Interagency Coordination And Wicked Problems (00:16:16)
13. Dual Diagnosis And Medication Tensions (00:17:57)
14. External Management And Community Supervision (00:19:12)
15. Training Gaps And Positive Reinforcement (00:20:08)
16. De‑institutionalisation And Safety (00:21:15)
17. NDIS Promise, Confusion, And Hope (00:22:10)
18. Closing And Credits (00:27:32)
118 episodes
Share
