Dr. Leander Mitchell is a Senior Lecturer (Clinical Psychology) in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland. A registered Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist, she earned her PhD from the University of Queensland in 2016, exploring wisdom in mid- to older-aged adults within a successful ageing framework, and holds a Professional Doctorate focused on cognitive rehabilitation strategies for dementia caregivers. In her current role, Mitchell serves as Clinical Academic at the UQ Psychology Clinic, overseeing practical training for provisional psychologists, and maintains clinical expertise through locum positions in aged care facilities and private practice. She supervises psychologists specializing in older adults and lifespan assessment. Her research centers on geropsychology, with key interests in supporting carers of people with dementia, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), financial capacity assessment, and anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease and dementia. Recent projects explore animal-assisted interventions and nature-based wellbeing enhancements, all framed within strengths-based approaches. Mitchell has secured significant funding, including NHMRC MRFF grants for the PDCogniCare project (2023-2028) on neuropsychological tools for earlier dementia diagnosis in Parkinson's disease, and Tech-CBT (2021-2026) for remote anxiety psychotherapy in dementia.

As a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society (FAPS), she contributes to the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group committee. Mitchell reviews for prominent journals such as International Psychogeriatrics, Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, and Australasian Journal on Ageing. Her influence extends to policy through advisory roles with the Australian Department of Health on reablement for older adults and expert panels on mental health in ageing. Key publications include the book chapter "The journey of bereavement" (2022, Elsevier) and articles like "Telehealth cognitive behavior therapy to reduce anxiety in people living with cognitive impairment: a randomized feasibility pilot study" (2025, Clinical Gerontologist), "Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of cognitive disorders in Parkinson's disease" (2025, Alzheimer's & Dementia: DADM), and "Recommendations to improve healthcare service provision for cognitive impairment in people with Parkinson's disease" (2026, Health Expectations). With over 100 works and citations exceeding 700 on Google Scholar, her scholarship advances clinical geropsychology practice, education, and policy.

Professional Email: leander@psy.uq.edu.au