Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences

Eric Timewell.

A clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Eric joined the Lincoln Institute as a part-time Lecturer in the School of Behavioural Sciences in 1980 where he taught psychotherapy and health psychology to allied health students.

In the early days of HIV in Australia, Eric emerged as a key figure in addressing the psychosocial, political, and clinical challenges associated with AIDS. He assembled a diverse team of experts and individuals living with HIV to produce a ground-breaking book, AIDS in Australia, that examined the social dimensions of AIDS and offered a comprehensive approach to the clinical management of those affected.  This book proven to be a valuable resource for healthcare professionals and individuals affected by HIV in Australia.

Eric’s career included roles as a psychologist at Fairfield Hospital and the Victorian AIDS Council, where he became known for his educational efforts during the AIDS crisis. He also served as the State President of the National AIDS Counsellors Association, significantly contributing to the field.

He partnered with colleagues from the School of Occupational Therapy to co-author influential publications with Professor Jenny Graham, focusing on the professional standing of Occupational Therapy and the importance of theoretical frameworks in health sciences. Furthermore, he collaborated with his sociology colleagues, Victor Minichiello and Rosalie Aroni, in the School of Behavioural Health Sciences to develop one of Australia’s pioneering textbooks on in-depth interviewing, marking a significant accomplishment during an era when quantitative methods were prevalent.

Eric had been working as a psychologist at the Prahran Market clinic, where clients often expressed their appreciation for his compassion, hard work, and knowledge, emphasizing the positive influence he had on their lives.

Sadly, Eric has recently passed away. I am thankful for the time I spent with him, sharing his innovative ideas and engaging in wonderful conversations about teaching research methods to our students over lunch and coffee in the delightful Italian cafes of Carlton. Those were truly the good old days when colleagues connected face-to-face to discuss their teaching experiences.

(Written by Victor Minichiello)