ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Based in Brisbane, Australia, Dr Paula Barrett is internationally recognised as a preeminent scholar and groundbreaking researcher in the field of child psychology, and has a distinguished international reputation as a keynote presenter. Paula is the author of the widely-acclaimed FRIENDS for Life, Fun Friends and FOCUS programs.

The scientifically-validated FRIENDS for Life program has been recognised by the World Health Organization as the best practice for the prevention and treatment of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. FRIENDS has been introduced in countries as wide-ranging as Canada, Norway, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Portugal. Over one million children worldwide have benefitted from these programs.

Paula is presently under tenure as an Adjunct Professor of the School of Education at the University of Queensland. She has supervised 24 Honours, 19 Masters and 13 PhD students to successful completion of their postgraduate degrees.

Paula is also the Director of the innovative research-based clinic, Pathways Health and Research Centre located in West End and Woolloongabba, Brisbane. Pathways Health and Research Centre is a family resilience and treatment centre which promotes an innovative and empowering philosophy to help families develop positive life skills.

With a highly trained group of national and international specialists, Pathways Health and Research Centre is continually conducting cutting-edge research in the field of child psychology and evaluations of anxiety prevention and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder treatments.Additionally, Pathways Health and Research Centre provides training sessions in the FRIENDS and FOCUS programs to Guidance Officers, teachers and teacher aides, Principals, social workers, allied health professionals and therapists creating greater access to these treatments to the wider community and schools.

In recognition of excellence in her field of expertise, Paula has received: the Fulbright Scholarship at the age of 16; a Commonwealth Scholarship in 1991 to complete her research Doctorate; the National Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy Early Career Award for her research and innovation in the field of clinical psychology in 1998; the National Australian Psychology Society Award for outstanding scholarship in the discipline of psychology in 1999; and "Lord Mayor’s 2007 Australia Day Achievement Award" for outstanding services in the community for families and children. Most recently, Paula was a finalist in the Australian of the Year Award, Queensland.

In 2007 Paula spearheaded the creation of The Pathways to Resilience Trust. This charitable trust aims to implement Paula’s programs on a not-for-profit basis in Australian schools of low-SES, Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, as well as in areas affected by flood and drought. The Trust also assists those in economic need to access psychological assistance; and continues to advocate for early intervention with children for prevention of anxiety and depression.

Paula’s life mission and passion is to help children to become the best they can be, and to support families to attain a higher degree of happiness in their lives. Despite her impressive achievements Paula remains humble to her cause and returns as much as possible to the heat and heritage of the Northern Territory and to the natural splendour and wonder of Stradbroke Island; where she loves spending time with her partner, two children, two puppies and three kittens.

"...Dr Barrett is considered to be in the first rank of international scholars working in the area of childhood anxiety disorders."

Dr John S. March (Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Duke Child and Family Study Centre, USA)