About me
Karen is an Australian Registered Psychologist with a range of experience over clinical, vocational, and more complex settings. As well as holding full APS membership, she is also a member of the Positive Psychology, Trauma and Psychology, and Intellectual Disability and Autism groups. With a passion for Individuality and Neurodiversity, she applies this approach to every unique individual she works with to explore and develop the person’s strengths and talents to assist in empowering them to achieve their goals. Karen works with adults and adolescents, and enjoys working across a wide range of areas including:
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- Managing mental health issues
- Stress Management
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vocational counselling
- Relationship difficulties
- Grief and Loss
- Trauma
- Trauma and Complex Trauma
- Building Resilience after Trauma
- Life transitions
- Personality and adjustment issues
Karen takes a holistic approach to the person and draws from a wide range of therapies and techniques to assist them on their journey. This includes Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT), Behavioural Management, and aspects of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, and many more. Karen’s strengths lay in her ability to engage with a wide range of people and collaborate to tailor her support to their needs. Her focus is to empower people to achieve overall wellbeing and fulfilling lives.
Work With
- I work mainly with adults
- I work with neurodiverse adolescents when the context and engagement are suitable for everyone
- Adult ADHD assessment and support
- Autism spectrum disorders
Work With
- Chronic pain and illness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress Management
- Personal Growth
- Life Transitions
- Grief & Loss
- Self-Esteem
- Sleep Issues
- Interpersonal issues
- Posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and Complex Posttraumatic stress (CPTSD)
- WorkCover
Funding
- Private Clients
- Private Health Insurance
- NDIS
- WorkCover
- EAP
- Medicare
Karen Barnes is an Australian Registered Psychologist with over 8 years of experience across various sectors, including clinical, vocational, and disability services. She is also a registered NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner, though she is not currently practicing in that role. As a full member of the Australian Psychological Society, Karen actively participates in several professional interest groups, such as those focused on Intellectual Disability and Autism, Positive Psychology, Trauma and Psychology, ADHD, EMDR, ePsychology, Diverse Bodies, Genders and Sexualities, and Rural and Remote Psychology.
Karen’s approach to psychology is compassionate, person-centred, strengths-based, and collaborative. She believes in taking a holistic approach to support overall wellbeing and personal growth, utilizing evidence-based techniques and therapies. Through psychoeducation, Karen aims to demystify psychology and empower individuals with the understanding and skills they need to navigate life’s journey. She practices an eclectic approach, tailoring therapy to the unique needs and goals of each individual, drawing from various methodologies including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Positive Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Schema Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Applied Behavioural Analysis.
Karen pursued a career in psychology at a more mature age after experiencing frustrations in accessing quality mental health care during personal life experiences. She is driven by a desire to ensure that people are heard, understood, and valued for their unique individuality. Her particular interest in neuropsychology stems from both professional and personal experiences within her
• I pursued a career in psychology, at a more mature age, after experiencing frustrations in access to quality mental health care during personal life experiences.
• I am driven to ensure that people are heard, understood, and valued for the unique individual they are.
• I have a particular interest in our brain and how differences can change our life experiences and have gained experience in certain areas aligned with neuropsychology.
• I particularly enjoy working in the area of neurodiversity, due to my experiences both professionally and at a personal level within my close family.
• Having lived experience across a wide range of life’s challenges, I enjoy helping people negotiate life transitions or making the changes they are inspired to.
Karen Barnes is an Australian Registered Psychologist with over 8 years of experience in clinical, vocational, and disability services. She is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and participates in several professional interest groups, including those focused on neurodiversity, trauma, and positive psychology.
Karen’s approach is compassionate, person-centred, and strengths-based. She uses evidence-based techniques and therapies, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to support overall wellbeing and personal growth. Her eclectic approach tailors therapy to each individual’s needs and goals.
Driven by personal experiences and a desire to ensure people are heard and valued, Karen has a particular interest in neuropsychology and enjoys working with neurodiverse individuals. She specializes in adult ADHD assessment and support, autism spectrum disorders, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and more.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys road trips, camping, and spending time in nature. She lives in Central Victoria with her large puppy, four goats, and fifteen beehives. She also enjoys collecting crystals and pursuing creative activities such as airbrush art.
Outside of Work:
• I am the proud mum of an amazing 28-year-old young man, and hoping to become a grandmother within the next few
years
• I grew up around Melbourne but now live rurally in Central Victoria, following a number of years living on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
• I love road trips and camping out
• I love spending time in nature and exploring forests, beaches, and waterfalls.
• I love animals and currently live with one very large puppy (who is actually 6 years old and nearly 60kgs!), 4 adorable goats, and 15 beehives!
• After getting into bees with my partner, I discovered I am not allergic to bee stings, but I am allergic to natural honey (it was very upsetting to discover, and I tried to deny it for as long as I could)
• I enjoy collecting crystals and mineral samples, including fossicking for them.
• I like to be creative and previously ran my own airbrush art business until I realised it was more enjoyable as a personal leisure hobby.
