Psych Technologies was established to promote a new electronic methodology for the assessment of progress with therapy in mental health clients, the Short Progress Assessment (SPA). The pen-and-paper version of the SPA was constructed and piloted in 2001 by Dr Bruno A. Cayoun, a practising clinical psychologist based in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is described in more detail under Assessment Tools.

In partnership with software developer Graeme Martin, a software program was initially established to record, store and analyse the scores from the SPA questionnaire and present results.

The company has undertaken trials with clinical samples and samples from the general community to establish the validity and reliability of the SPA.

While conducting the trials, the software was increasingly enhanced to enable data entry from a range of questionnaires used to provide statistical analyses for the SPA. This has led to the establishment of a general purpose software for the management of records for mental health clients. More information about this comprehensive software, now called Mental Health Client Management System (MHCMS), which is expected to be available commercially late 2008, can be found under Software.

Psych Technologies also undertakes the distribution of Treatment Tools in the form of CDs for training in the use of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiCBT), also developed by Dr Cayoun.

The Tasmanian-based IT incubator, In-tellinc, provides funding and support for the development and commercialisation of the MHCMS. Psych Technologies has received a grant from the Australian Government's Commercialising Emerging Technology (COMET) program for further development of the MHCMS.  

Bruno A. Cayoun

Dr Cayoun is a clinical psychologist in private practice at the Psychology Centre(TAS), and a research consultant in mindfulness-based research at the University of Tasmania and University of Auckland. His Doctoral thesis involved the dysfunction of attentional systems and the human capacity for attentional and inhibitory control, especially in children with ADHD.

During the last 17 years, he has practised Mindfulness meditation and undergone intensive training in Mindfulness (Vipassana) centres in various countries (France, Nepal, India, and Australia), including advanced training courses.

Dr Cayoun has developed a model that integrates mindfulness skills training with the principles of traditional cognitive behaviour therapy (Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or MiCBT). This integrative approach is currently used worldwide as a crisis intervention which is demonstrating advantages over traditional cognitive perspectives across a range of chronic psychopathologies including Bipolar Affective Disorder, PTSD, GAD, Panic Disorder, alcohol abuse, and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Dr Cayoun is providing continual training in MiCBT to various services. He is the author of a skills-training manual for professionals and is developing a model of delivery for professionals, academics and students in educational institutions. He is the co-developer of MHCMS and the author of the SPA and MSES.

Graeme Martin

Graeme Martin is a director of Psych Technologies Pty Ltd. He is an experienced software developer with 35 years experience in developing software applications for many organisations.

Graeme began his career working in satellite control systems in conjunction with the US Department of Defense in the early 1970s. He came to Tasmania in 1974 and worked for a few years developing software for mapping and photogrammetry for the Tasmanian Lands Department, leaving there to become a partner in a small software development company, Delphi Systems Pty Ltd in 1978.

Since then Graeme has developed software for government departments, councils, and many small to medium size businesses as well as pursuing "speculative" development on various projects over the years. One of his latest projects is to develop the MHCMS database system and software for the SPA test for Psych Technologies.

Graeme lives in Hobart, and when not working on software development pursues his other interests of light aircraft flying, gliding, writing, digital art and photography.

Larry Podmore (PhD)

Dr Podmore joined In-tellinc in March 2001 as a Business Manager, responsible for the evaluation, review and daily management of the Company's investments. Dr Podmore has 30 years of experience in the IT industry in Tasmania where his roles have included software development, training, consulting, sales and management.

 

Judy Holter

Judy is Manager of orders and dispatch operations for Psych Technologies. Since November 2001 she has also been with In-tellinc as Office Manager/PA to the CEO responsible for managing the day to day operations, providing high level administrative support to the Company's in-house investments. Judy has over 20 years of experience in various industries in Australia and Canada where her roles have included network support and web site administration.