B.Sc (Hons), M.Clin.Psych., MAPS, PhD
School of Education, the University of Queensland
Founder, Pathways Health and Research Centre
Patron, the Pathways to Resilience Trust
Professor Paula Barrett pictured with the Queensland Premier, the Honourable Anna Bligh, MP, at the Australian of the Year Award, Queensland, 2008.
Professor Paula Barrett is internationally recognised as a prominent scholar and groundbreaking researcher in the field of child psychology and has a distinguished international reputation as a keynote presenter. In 2008, Paula was announced as a finalist for the Australian of the Year Queensland Award, and a finalist for the Queenslander of the Year Award for her contribution to the well-being of children and to the community. Paula is director of the research-based clinic, Pathways Health and Research Centre, and she was recently announced as the 2008 Telstra Queensland Businesswoman of the year. In 1993 Paula authored the well-known FRIENDS for Life program. Since then Paula and her research team have continued to develop and evaluate the program. Most recently Paula has authored the Fun Friends program to aid in the prevention of anxiety and depression in 4 to 6 year olds. FRIENDS for Life has been recognised by the World Health Organisation for its substantive evidence base for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety and depression. Internationally, the FRIENDS program has been used in Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, the UK, and the US. Paula was awarded a 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.