Helen Lawrence's first career was as a physiotherapist, specialising in women's health; her publications in this field include Well-Being for Women (1990). After her retirement she graduated with a degree in paleoanthropology from the University of New England and has also published in this area: her book for students Making Friends with Fossils appeared in 2003 and Eve's Family Tree: Further Scrutiny of Human Origins in 2005. Many of Lawrence's books are related to history and prehistory, using her knowledge of human anatomy, Aboriginal archaeology and Tasmanian topography, as in her novel Call of the Black Cockatoo.
Lawrence has been a regular contributor to The Skeptic (a journal of fact and opinion).
