The Clinical Psychology Lab on Strathfield Campus

The Clinical Psychology Research (CPR) Lab was established in 2019 by A/Prof Keong Yap and Dr Madeleine Fraser to investigate the causes and treatments of mental health conditions. Our goal is to better understand the role of transdiagnostic and process-based factors to improve psychological interventions.

We also strive to foster an inclusive and supportive collaborative space for our honours, masters, and PhD students in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences’ psychology discipline.

In 2021, Prof Joseph Ciarrochi and A/Prof Baljinder Sahdra from the Institute of Positive Psychology and Education joined the lab. Through their mentoring and support, we have developed one of the world’s first research groups to design and apply idionomic methods for understanding psychological processes at the group and individual levels. We are at the forefront of innovation in data-driven personalisation of psychological interventions.

Purpose of the lab

Facilitate cross-pollination of ideas in developing research projects.
Foster collaborative research and educational efforts.
Create a recognised identity as a clinical psychology research hub on the Strathfield Campus.
Discuss related academic pursuits: academic writing, grant applications and research question design.
Cultivate research collaborations with national and international experts in related clinical psychology fields
Provide a regular forum for our clinical psychology research students to meet and discuss the following topics:

• recent research in the field of clinical psychology
• critique and discuss recent publications
• opportunity to practice and seek feedback on conference presentations
• brainstorm challenges in student research projects
• seek feedback on developing research projects
• present new data and interpretation of analyses

Current study recruitment

Please email CPRlab@acu.edu.au to inquire about participating in current research studies. .

Clinical Psychology Research Lab members

Associate Professor Keong Yap

Dr Madeleine Fraser

Professor Joseph Ciarrochi

Associate Professor Baljinder Sahdra

Student researchers

Honours students (2025)

Dylan Tran
Meredith Kelly
Ella Bundy-Edwards
Celeste Coon
Samuel Marshall

Master of Psychology students (2025)

PhD students

Benjamin Weir – ADHD, Hoarding and Clinical Practice: Barriers and Opportunities
Michelle Laving – Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the OCD Unacceptable Thoughts Shame Scale (OUTSS)
Samantha Elder – Trauma and Hoarding
Evan Guerin – OCD and Disgust
William Li – An individualised approach to Identifying Determinants of Well-being
Sonia Chan – The role of nonattachment in object attachment and hoarding.
Joli Doan - Treatment of complex behavioural and emotional challenges exhibited by children in family inpatient services: exploring what works best
Ella Tremaine (IPPE)
Marianna Gabriella Quinones Valera (HBMRC)

Alumni

Publications

Scopus profiles

For a full list of research publications, please visit our Scopus profiles:

A/Prof Keong Yap

Dr Madeleine Fraser

A/Prof Baljinder Sahdra

Professor Joseph Ciarrochi

Recent Lab Publications

Fraser, M. I., Yap, K., Sahdra, B., Li, W., Andreacchio, M. T., Wong, T. Y., & Ciarrochi, J. (2025). Experience-sampling methods for self-compassion research: A meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 37, 100913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100913

Ciarrochi, J., Hernández, C., Hill, D., Ong, C., Gloster, A. T., Levin, M. E., Yap, K., Fraser, M. I., Sahdra, B. K., Hofmann, S. G., & Hayes, S. C. (2024). Process-based therapy: A common ground for understanding and utilizing therapeutic practices. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 34(3), 265–290. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000348

Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B., Hayes, S.C., Hofmann, S. G., Sanford, B., Stanton, C., Yap, K., Fraser, M. I., Gates, K, & Gloster, A. T. (2024), A Personalised Approach to Identifying Important Determinants of Well-being. Cognitive Therapy and Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-024-10486-w

Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B., Fraser, M. I., Hayes, S. C., Yap, K., & Gloster, A. T. (2024). The compassion connection: Experience sampling insights into romantic attraction. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 32, 100749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100749

Sahdra, B. K., Ciarrochi, J., Fraser, M. I., Yap, K., Haller, E., Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., & Gloster, A. T. (2023). The Compassion Balance: Understanding the Interrelation of Self- and Other-Compassion for Optimal Well-being. Mindfulness, 14(8), 1997-2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02187-4

Ciarrochi, J., Hayes, S. C., Hayes, L., Sahdra, B., Ferrari, M., Yap, K. & Hofmann, S. (2022). From Package to Process: An Evidence-based Approach to Processes of Change in Psychotherapy. In G. J. G. Asmundson. (Ed.). Comprehensive Clinical Psychology (2^nd. Edition), pp 26-44. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00085-6

Ferrari, M., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., Sahdra, B., Hayes, S. C. (2022). Embracing the Complexity of our Inner Worlds: Understanding the Dynamics of Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism. Mindfulness. 13, 1652-1661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01897-5

Student Research Publications

Catts, N. V., Sahdra, B. K., Ciarrochi, J., Fraser, M. I., Hernández, C., Hayes, S. C., & Gloster, A. T. (2025). Distinct pathways to well-being: Exploring valued action and mood among stoics and non-stoics. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 36, Article 100898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2025.100898

Li, W., Beath, A., Ciarrochi, J., & Fraser, M. (2024). Gender based adolescent self-compassion profiles and the mediating role of nonattachment on psychological well-being. Current Psychology, 43(10), 9176–9190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-05049-3

Li, W., Gleeson, J., Fraser, M. I., Ciarrochi, J., Hofmann, S. G., Hayes, S. C., & Sahdra, B. (2024). The efficacy of personalized psychological interventions in adolescents: A scoping review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1470817. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1470817

Corkish, B. & Yap, K. (2024). Does mental contamination mediate the association between childhood trauma and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adults? Child Abuse & Neglect, 152, 106789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106789

Manor, Y. D., & Yap, K. (2024). Does nonacceptance of emotions and the fear of guilt influence the association between trait guilt and obsessive-compulsive symptoms? A moderation analysis in a non-clinical sample. Clinical Psychologist, 28(3), 286–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2024.2404986

Hardman, J. R., Gleeson, J. F. M., González-Blanch, C., Alvarez-Jimenez, M., Fraser, M. I., & Yap, K. (2023). The role of insight, social rank, mindfulness, and self-compassion in depression following first episode psychosis. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2881

Kaufmann, S., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., & Fraser, M. I. (2023). Perceived Parenting Style and Adolescent Self-Compassion: A Longitudinal, Within-Person Approach. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02232-2

Laving, M., Foroni, F., Ferrari, M., Turner, C., & Yap, K. (2023). The association between OCD and Shame: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(1), 28-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12392

Frei, J. M., Sazhin, V., Fick, M., & Yap, K. (2021). Emotion-oriented coping style predicts self-harm in response to acute psychiatric hospitalization. Crisis - The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention. 42, 3. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000713

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The Clinical Psychology Research Lab