Meet our dedicated research team
Professor Lara Farrell and her team of clinician-researchers are internationally recognised for their contributions to OCD and specific phobia treatment research, with their work helping to shape best practice in the field. The team comprises academics with advanced training and qualifications in clinical psychology, clinical psychology registrars, provisional psychologists, and research staff who work collaboratively across clinical practice, training, and research. The team is committed to advancing treatment outcomes for children and families affected by obsessive–compulsive disorder and specific phobia.
Professor Lara Farrell
PhD, M(ClinPsych), MAPS
Professor Lara Farrell is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor at Griffith University and Director of the Griffith Centre for Mental Health. She is internationally recognised for her work in childhood anxiety and obsessive–compulsive disorder, with a focus on improving access to evidence-based treatments. She developed the OCD Busters program and leads a university clinic providing treatment to children and families, alongside research, training, and funded clinical trials.
Dr Imogene Calteaux
Clinical Psychologist, PhD (ClinPsych), BPsych (Hons I), MAPS
Imogene is a psychologist and a postdoctoral research fellow at the Griffith Centre for Mental Health. Her research focuses on enhancing access to evidence-based treatments for children with specific phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Imogene has experience working across both research and clinical settings, contributing to projects focused on improving access to evidence-based care through the development and implementation of digital parent training programs for families of children with specific phobias and obsessive–compulsive disorder.
Kate Freeman
Provisional Psychologist, PhD Candidate (ClinPsych), BPsych (Hons I)
Kate is a provisional psychologist currently completing her PhD of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University. Over the past several years, she has worked as both a research assistant and intake coordinator for the FAST (Families Accessing online Skills Training) CBT for Paediatric OCD research trial. Her PhD research focuses on understanding and addressing barriers to accessing paediatric OCD treatment for children and families in Australia.
Dr Jason Porritt-Racz
PhD (ClinPsych), BPsych (Hons), MAPS
Jason is a psychologist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Griffith Centre for Mental Health. His research focuses on improving the implementation of evidence-based treatments for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people, particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (CBT-ERP). Jason has experience working across research and clinical settings, including a current role at Queensland Health, and is involved in projects aimed at improving the detection, treatment, and implementation of effective interventions for youth with OCD.
Evren Etel
PhD, M(DevPsych), BPsych
Dr. Etel holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology and is a Research Fellow at the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University. Her research focuses on enhancing health and developmental outcomes for children and their families. She has worked on projects identifying modifiable parenting factors that may improve health and developmental outcomes, as well as quality of life for children with chronic health conditions.
Dr Wendy Chen
PhD, M(ClinPsych)
Dr Wendy (Wenting) Chen, is a postdoctoral research fellow and clinical psychologist working with UNSW and Sydney Children's Hospital Network. She is interested in research understanding aetiological and mechanistic factors underlying obsessive-compulsive and related disorders to ultimately improve our current treatments. She also has a passion for conducting research to improve treatments for all, including improving accessibility and conducting research in diverse populations.
Olivia Siva
Clinical Psychology Registrar, PhD Candidate (ClinPsych), BPsych (Hons I)
Olivia is a registered psychologist and clinical psychology registrar who works across the lifespan, supporting children, adolescents, and adults to navigate mental health challenges. She has gained experience in public health, private and research settings working with a range of presentations in both the community and inpatient settings. Olivia currently works within Queensland Health and has been part of the FAST-CBT team for the past three years, supporting children and their families through evidence-based interventions for OCD.
Dr Ping Zhang
PhD, M, BSci
Dr Zhang is a health informatician and bioinformatician. Ping’s passion is utilising statistical and machine learning analysis to get the maximum value from complex real-world data. She has developed computational modelling techniques and applied them to various health-related research, such as diagnosis of cancers, influenza, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, prediction of progression of Alzheimer’s, vaccine target identification and vaccine scheduling optimisation.
Rachel Blundell
Provisional Psychologist, BPsych (Hons I)
Rachel is a provisional psychologist currently completing her Master of Professional Psychology at Griffith University. She works with children, adolescents, and families within research and community settings. Rachel works as a therapist within the Family Interaction Program, delivering evidence-based interventions to families and children with challenging behaviours. Rachel is also a clinician on the FAST-CBT for Paediatric OCD research trial, supporting families to access evidence-based treatment for OCD.
Eliza Keefe
Provisional Psychologist, BPsych (Hons)
Eliza is a provisional Psychologist currently completing her Master of Clinical Psychology at Griffith University, where she provides psychological services through the Griffith University Psychology Clinic on the Gold Coast. Eliza is a Clinician on the FAST-CBT trial as part of the OCD Busters research program. In this role, she supports the delivery of evidence-based treatment for children with OCD and contributes to research aimed at improving access to effective psychological care for children and families.
Rachel Spearritt
BPsych (Hons) Candidate
Rachel is a psychology honours student completing her thesis in neuropsychology and the experiences of individuals and families. Having completed a minor in developmental psychology, she is passionate about understanding factors that influence the wellbeing of young people, family functioning, and practical, evidence-based strategies to support them. Alongside her studies, Rachel works as an independent evaluator for the OCD Busters team.
Callum Lethby
BPsych (Hons) Candidate
Callum is an Honours student at Griffith University, completing his Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). He is an independent evaluator for the OCD Busters program and aims to provide independent evaluations to contribute to research whilst gaining clinical skills that develop his career within the field of psychology. Callum is dedicated to undertaking further postgraduate studies to enter a career as a psychologist.
Sarah Johnston
PhD Candidate, BPsych (Hon I) BFilm
Sarah Johnston is a PhD Candidate with a passion for creating accessible and engaging digital experiences that help bridge the gap between research and real-world application. With undergraduate qualifications in both psychology and film, she combines a background in digital design with an understanding of psychological research and communication. Sarah recently collaborated with the OCD Busters team to redesign and update the Griffith University OCD Busters website.
Contact Details
E-mail: ocdbustersgc@griffith.edu.au
Location
- Level 7 Ian O'Connor Building (G40)
- Griffith University, Gold Coast
- Parklands Drive Southport Qld 4222