Barbara commenced her career in clinical psychology after previous roles in design and communication, completing degrees in biochemistry and music, and parenting four children. Beginning her psychology training at the University of Auckland in the early 2000s, she came across the then relatively new field of Positive Psychology. She was immediately drawn to what has become a cornerstone of her practice and her life. In particular, Barbara finds positive psychology empowering and effective as a non-pathologising, strengths-based approach, which supports people to utilise and develop their strengths to manage life difficulties and thrive across the lifespan.

Barbara spent the last 11 years working in private practice in the Sydney CBD, returning to Auckland in August 2021. In her Sydney practice, Barbara had the privilege of working with people across a wide range of ages, cultures, life situations and mental health difficulties where she was also able to see first-hand the impact of both positive and challenging workplaces on people’s wellbeing. Coaching and supervision of leaders in organisations, large and small, around their wellbeing, and that of their teams, was another aspect of her role. She also worked with the renowned Black Dog Institute facilitating workshops on building mental health, wellbeing and resilience across many different sizes and types of workplaces.