Rate My Professor Nerelie Freeman

Nerelie Freeman is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Education, at Monash University. A registered psychologist holding a PhD and Master of Educational Psychology (MEdPsych), she brings extensive clinical experience, having spent ten years working in Catholic, independent, and government schools in Melbourne. There, she supported children and adolescents, their families, teachers, and allied health professionals. Her research career spans organizations in Western Australia and Victoria, including the Drug and Alcohol Office, Department of Health, Melbourne Health, and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne. Prior to joining Monash, she lectured in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne. Freeman coordinates undergraduate and postgraduate units such as Psychological Assessment (EDF4602), Cognitive Assessment (EDF5563), and Counselling Children and Adolescents (EDF4533).

Freeman's academic interests focus on the identification and assessment of neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly in autistic females, developmental psychopathology in children both typically developing and with neurodevelopmental disorders, supporting neurodiverse children in school settings, and promoting health and wellbeing. She has contributed to multiple research projects, including evaluations of the Satellite Foundation's programs for families facing parental mental health challenges, professional development for teachers of students with disabilities, and the Stand Up Project. Her scholarly output includes over 20 publications, with her work cited more than 615 times according to Google Scholar. Notable publications are "A content and quality evaluation of mobile classroom behavior management applications" (2025, Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions), "A family camp for families where a parent experiences mental health challenges: a qualitative evaluation" (2025, International Journal of Mental Health Nursing), "Assessing eco-anxiety across the lifespan: a systematic review" (2025, The Journal of Climate Change and Health), "A survey of assessment practices among health professionals diagnosing females with autism" (2023, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders), and "The early childhood signs of autism in females: a systematic review" (2021). She serves as Associate Editor for Acta Psychologica and engages in community service with Lifeline Melbourne and Lifeline Perth. Her research supports UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being, quality education, and climate action.