Dr Joanna Barlas ~ Senior Lecturer Psychology

Joanna is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and a Chartered Clinical Psychologist. She currently lectures on the professional program in clinical psychology at James Cook University Singapore (JCUS) where she is responsible for coursework teaching, as well as the clinical and research supervision of trainee clinical psychologists. She supervises PhD students on a range of health and sociocultural topics. 

Joanna also continues to practice clinically in Singapore, assessing and treating adults with a wide range of mental health problems. Prior to joining JCUS in 2013, Joanna worked for five years in the UK National Health Service, specialising in working with adults with severe and enduring mental health problems and offending behaviour in both inpatient secure hospitals and community settings. 

Joanna has two main focuses within her research reflecting her passion for understanding and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of marginalised groups in the community and her clinical interest in schema therapy. In her research with marginalised groups, Joanna primarily uses qualitative methodology to investigate the phenomenological experiences of members of these groups and give voice to them in an effort to guide clinical interventions and influence policy change. 

In her schema therapy research, Joanna combines her clinical and academic experience to advance understanding of the schema model and its applications to explain the links between early experiences and adaptive and maladaptive functioning in adulthood. With her background in forensic mental health, Joanna is also interested in investigating the relationships between traumatic experiences, mental health and risk-behaviours. 

Teaching

• PY5304: Assessment in Psychology (Level 5; SIN)

Interests

Research

• Qualitative Research; Early Adversity & Mental Health; Wellbeing; Schema Therapy; Forensic Psychology

Research Disciplines

• Clinical and health psychology (5203)
• Social and personality psychology (5205)
• Health services and systems (4203)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Public health (2004)
• Provision of health and support services (2003)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Ng J and Barlas J (2023) A bridge to recovery: an interpretative phenomenological analysis with peer support specialists in Singapore. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 18 (1).
• Zainal K and Barlas J (2022) Mental health, stressors and resources in migrant domestic workers in Singapore: A thematic analysis of in-depth interviews. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 90. pp. 116-128
• Bin Ibrahim M and Barlas J (2021) "Making do with things we cannot change": an interpretive phenomenological analysis of relationship resilience among gay men in Singapore. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38 (9). pp. 2630-2652
• Louis J, Ortiz V, Barlas J, Lee J, Lockwood G, Chong W, McDonald Louis K and Sim P (2021) The Good Enough Parenting early intervention schema therapy based program: participant experience. PLoS ONE, 16 (1). pp. 0-0
• Ke T and Barlas J (2020) Thinking about feeling: using trait emotional intelligence in understanding the associations between early maladaptive schemas and coping styles. Psychology and Psychotherapy: theory, research and practice, 93. pp. 1-20
• Lim C and Barlas J (2019) The effects of Toxic Early Childhood Experiences on depression according to Young Schema Model: a scoping review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 246. pp. 1-13
• Lee J, Barlas J, Thompson C and Dong Y (2018) Caregivers’ experience of decision-making regarding diagnostic assessment following cognitive screening of older adults. Journal of Aging Research, 2018.
• Lim C, Barlas J and Ho R (2018) The effects of temperament on depression according to the schema model: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (6).
• Go M, Chi M, Barlas J and Chng G (2017) The role of strengths in anger and conduct problems in maltreated adolescents. Child Abuse and Neglect, 67. pp. 22-31
• Birks M, Bodak M, Barlas J, Harwood J and Pether M (2016) Robotic seals as therapeutic tools in an aged care facility: a qualitative study. Journal of Aging, 2016. pp. 1-7
• Barlas J and Egan V (2006) Weapons carrying in British teenagers: the role of personality, delinquency, sensational interests, and mating effort. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 17 (1). pp. 53-72

Other research outputs

• Hennessy M and Barlas J (2023) Integrating wellbeing and neurosurgical practice to improve patient outcomes after chronic subdural haematoma: A rapid review with evidence mapping. [Presented at the 8th IPPA World Congress on Positive Psychology]. 20-23 July 2023, Vancouver, Canada

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 22+ research outputs authored by Dr Joanna Barlas from 2006 onwards.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Caregiver Adaption - Caring for Adolescents with Intellectual Disability after they leave the Special Education School System (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Transition to Adulthood of Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Co-morbid Mental Health Conditions: A Mixed Method Study of Caregiving Experiences (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Levels of religiosity and spirituality, and attitudes towards discussing them in therapy - A study on clients and psychotherapists in Singapore (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Treatment Effectiveness of an Outpatient Dialectical Behavior Skills Group (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Am I Competent Enough? A Mixed-method Study Exploring Trainee Counsellors' Phenomenological Hindering Self-awareness Experiences and the Influence on Counselling Self-Efficacy during Counsellor Training (PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Socio-political Stressors and Long-tem relationship Resilience among same-sex couples: A Mixed-methods study (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

• Does the Young Schema Model explain the developmental origins and mechanisms of depressive symptoms? (2019, PhD , Secondary Advisor)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.