My name is Julia Barnard and I live in Adelaide, Australia. I am a qualified counsellor with a Diploma in Counselling as well as a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, a BSc Honours degree in Applied Sociology and a BA Honours.

I began my counselling work in the UK in 2001, before moving to Australia in 2003. I have provided counselling to both adults and young people. Make the Change was set up in 2005, offering accessible counselling for adults across Australia and around the world. I have also worked with people with disabilities and have undertaken rehabilitation work with clients who have an acquired brain injury.

I am interested in helping people deal with everyday life issues. These include stress, confidence and general unhappiness. I hope to help people feel more in control of their life and work through present difficulties. I am particularly interested in the work of Positive Psychology.I am keen on using the Internet as a means of providing counselling and information services to the wider community. I have used internet-based communications for over 16 years.

Professional Membership

I am a Registered, Qualified Member of the Australian Counselling Association (http://www.theaca.net.au) and Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (http://www.psychology.org.au). As such, I work to their code of conduct and uphold their ethical standards. I am also an Associate Charter Member of the International Positive Psychology Association (http://www.ippanetwork.org).

Publication

In February 2010 I published Promoting Happiness: A workbook to help you appreciate and get the most out of your life. I also launched the accompanying website http://promotinghappiness.com.

In the Media

Claire Buckis, "Change The Way You Think" MindFood, September 2008