A/Prof Keong Yap

National Course Coordinator (Postgraduate Psychology)
SoBHS/Psychology

Areas of expertise: clinical psychology; obsessive-compulsive disorder; hoarding disorder; transdiagnostic processes; mindfulness; self-compassion; objective-structured clinical examinations;

Phone: +02 97014574

Email: Keong.yap@acu.edu.au

Location: ACU Strathfield Campus

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7008-4903

I am a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at the Australian Catholic University, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Strathfield campus. I have more than 20 years of clinical experience as a registered clinical psychologist and provide treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (including hoarding disorder). I obtained Bachelor of Social Science degree with Honours in psychology from the National University of Singapore in 1995 and completed his Doctor of Psychology (DPsych) degree at the University of Melbourne in 2002. I have subsequently worked as a clinical psychologist in a psychiatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia until 2009. From 2009 to 2015, I ran the RMIT university psychology clinic as the clinic director. In 2015, I commenced an academic position at ACU to teach and coordinate the Master of Psychology course. I am currently the National Course Coordinator for psychology postgraduate courses in ACU. These clinical and teaching roles have sparked an increasing interest in clinical research. My research interests are in the area of clinical psychology and with a focus on obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, including hoarding disorder, OCD, and compulsive buying. I am also very interested in examining the application of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies for these conditions.

Download curriculum vitae

View Research Gate profile

View CPR Lab profile

Select publications

2022

  • Ferrari, M., Beath, A., Einstein, D.A., Yap, K., & Hunt, C. (2022). Gender differences in self- compassion: a latent profile analysis of compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating in a large adolescent sample. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03408-0
  • Yap, K., Chen, W., Wong, S. F., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., Grisham, J. R. (2022). Is it as good as being in person? The effectiveness of a modified clinician facilitated Buried in Treasures group for hoarding disorder using video teleconferencing. Psychiatry Research. 314, 114631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114631
  • 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
  • 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 (2nd. Edition), pp 26-44. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00085-6

2021

  • Arrow, K., Yap, K., & Chester, A. (2021). Group Climate in Online Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy predicts Treatment Outcomes. Clinical Psychologist, 25(2), 153-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2020.1829944
  • Australian Postgraduate Psychology Simulation Education Working Group (2021). A new reality: The role of simulated learning activities in postgraduate psychology training programs. Frontiers in Education, 6. Article 653269. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.653269
  • Kings, C., Moulding, R., Yap, K., Gazzola, R., & Knight, T. (2021). Measuring Possessions as Extensions of Self and Links to Significant Others in Hoarding: The Possessions as Others and Self Inventory. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 43, 441-453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09858-9
  • Scott, J., Yap, K., Bunch, K., Haarhoff, B., Perry, H., Bennett-Levy, J. (2021). Should personal practice be part of cognitive behaviour therapy training? Results from two self-practice/self-reflection (SP/SR) cohort control studies. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 28(1), 150-158 https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2497
  • Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2021). Object Attachment in hoarding disorder and its role in a compensatoryprocess. Current Opinion in Psychology. 39, 76-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.07.022
  • Yap, K., Sheen, J., Nedeljkovic, M., Milne, L., Lawrence, K., & Hay, M. (2021). Assessing clinical competencies using the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in psychology training. Clinical Psychologist, 25(3), 260-270. https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2021.1932452

2020

  • Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B. K., Yap, K. & Dicke, T. (2020). The Role of Nonattachment in the Development of adolescent mental health: a three-year longitudinal study. Mindfulness 11, 2131-2139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01421-7
  • Cooper, D., Yap, K., O'Brien, M., & Scott, I. (2020). Mindfulness and Empathy Among Counseling and Psychotherapy Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 11, 2243-2257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01425-3
  • Eppingstall, J., Xenos, S., & Yap, K. (2020) Acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding disorder: A proposed treatment protocol for individuals. Australian Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12438
  • Frei, J. M., Sazhin, V., Fick, M., & Yap, K. (2020). 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
  • Yap, K., Eppingstall, J., Brennan, C., Le, B., & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Emotional attachment to objects mediates the relationship between loneliness and hoarding symptoms. Journal of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, 24, 100487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100487
  • Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Object attachment and emotions in hoarding disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 100, 152179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152179

2019

  • Linardon, J., Gleeson, J., Yap, K., Murphy, K., & Brennan, L. (2019). Meta-analysis of the effects of third-wave behavioural interventions on disordered eating and body image concerns: Implications for eating disorder prevention. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 48(1), 15-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2018.1517389
  • Yap, K., & Grisham, J. R. (2019). Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms. Journal of Behavioral Addiction, 8(2), 249-258. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.8.2019.15

Projects

  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty Research Project Grant Scheme, Australian Catholic University, 2022. $8,050.00. The role of self-compassion in cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of psychological and physical health outcomes.
  • International Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Foundation Michael A. Jenike Young Investigator Award, 2020. US$ 47,896. Yap, K., Grisham, J. R., Timpano, K. R., & Schmidt, B. (2020). Intervening on loneliness to reduce object attachment in hoarding disorde: Two randomized controlled studies)
  • Learning and Teaching Grant 2017, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University. $5000. Yap, K. & Bunch, K. Enhancing clinical competency assessments in psychology and counselling: developing valid and authentic material and a toolkit for the objective structured clinical examinations
  • Australian Psychological Society National College of Clinical Psychologists Research Grant, 2016. $3000. Scott, J., Bunch, K., & Yap, K. Evaluation of a self-practice/self-reflection program in CBT training for masters students in clinical psychology.
  • Supported by Scheme for Teaching and Learning Research (STeLR), 2011. College of Science, Engineering and Health, RMIT. $15,000. Pisani, H., Chester, A., Yap, K., et al. Social media in professional practice: Development of a professional digital identities (PDI) resources for Health Sciences students.
  • Learning & Teaching Grant 2009, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University. $20,000. Yap, K., Hay, M., Bearman, M., & Cardozo, S. Improving the assessment of clinical competence: Introducing the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) into clinical psychology training.

Accolades and Awards

  • APS Outstanding Lecturer in Psychology Award at Australian Catholic University, 2020. Australian Psychological Society, Sydney Branch.

Appointments and Affiliations

Appointments

  • Accreditation Assessor, Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, 2022-

Affiliations

  • Registered Psychologist with clinical psychology endorsement, Psychology Board of Australia (Reg No. PSY0001123023)
  • AHPRA accredited clinical supervisor for High Degree and Registrar Programs
  • Member, Australia Psychological Society
  • Member, Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy

Editorial roles

  • Associate Editor: Clinical Psychologist, 2019-present

International journal review panels

  • Current Psychology
  • Journal of Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
  • Journal of Affective Disorders
  • Psychiatry Research
  • Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
  • BMC Public Health
  • Journal of Genetic Psychology
Back to previous page

Have a
question?

Ask
Research

Our contacts

Have a question for a specific
team? Ask the right person.

View all contacts