Dr Kris Ojala

B.Psych(Hons), PhD(Clin Psych), MAPS
Position: Director OCD Research and Clinical Family Psychologist

Dr. Kris Ojala is a clinical psychologist who specialises in the treatment of anxiety disorders and depression in children and adolescents. He has extensive experience in working with children and their families experiencing a wide range of mental health challenges such as separation anxiety, generalised anxiety, specific and social phobias and major depression. His clinical focus also includes the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the development of a positive male identity in boys making the transition to manhood. Kris completed his Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree at Griffith University in 2001 followed by his PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2008. His research focused on identifying motivations for group belongingness in children and adolescents. He has recently published an article on bullying as a group process and is currently submitting several articles for publication outlining the associations between group acceptance and inter-group behaviours in children and adolescents.

Kris has been working as a consultant at Pathways Health and Research Centre over the past five years specialising in the treatment of OCD and the development of targeted group programs for teenage boys. During his time at Pathways Kris has appeared on radio talk back shows to educate the wider community about OCD in children and adults. He has conducted professional development workshops and talks nationally and internationally to train teachers and mental health professionals in how to implement specific group intervention programs for building social and emotional skills as well as specific programs for OCD. Kris is one of the senior trainers in the “Friends for Life” program and has trained teachers throughout Australia in both major cities and rural communities in how to implement the program within the school setting.