Schema Therapy 'CONNECT'

Chris is an International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) Accredited Trainer and was the 2024 recipient of the Jeffrey Young award for research excellence conferred by the ISST. Chris is known globally for his involvement in high-impact research. He has been a principal investigator in a range of international multicentre randomised controlled trials involving the treatment of borderline personality disorder and PTSD.

Michael Romeo is a senior Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years’ experience in clinical practice. He is an AHPRA-approved supervisor and has held teaching appointments at Macquarie University, the University of Newcastle, and the Hunter Institute of Mental Health. His specialist clinic, FNDPsych, is based in Newcastle, NSW.

In 2020, Michael was diagnosed with FND, which has since become a driving force in his work. He is deeply committed to advancing awareness, education, and best-practice care for people living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). He manages the FND Clinicians Network Group, and produces the official FND Society Podcast — a science-focused program showcasing cutting-edge research into the diagnosis and treatment of FND.

Jacinta is a Clinical Psychologist and Accredited Schema Therapist and EMDR Trainer, whose work has spanned both government and non-government agencies, including the Women and Newborn Health Service and Sexual Assault Resource Centre in Perth, Western Australia. She also runs her own private practice and has a passionate interest in the treatment of perinatal mental health.

Natasha Hepworth

Accredited Advanced Schema Therapist, Clinical Psychologist (Vic)

Natasha Hepworth is a clinical psychologist and accredited schema therapist and supervisor. She works with adolescents and adults experiencing eating disorders, body image concerns, trauma, and relationship difficulties.

Natasha supports health professionals to build confidence in weaving schema therapy into their practice in ways that are creative, intuitive, and client focused. Her work emphasises not only formulation but also the process of therapy, especially supporting clinicians when therapy feels stuck. She is passionate about supporting clinicians to stay present with clients’ underlying vulnerabilities and to use embodied and somatic strategies to facilitate deeper and more enduring change.

Dr David Cooper Clinical Psychologist (NSW)

David Cooper is a clinical psychologist and adjunct lecturer at UNSW Sydney. His PhD research examined how treatment for OCD might be improved through novel approaches, including mental imagery and technology-assisted delivery. He developed and maintains a national directory of clinicians with a special interest in OCD at ocd.org.au/directory. David is currently completing advanced accreditation in schema therapy and continues to contribute to research in OCD, mental imagery, and access to treatment.

Chris Hayes & Dr Robert Brockman (Accredited Advanced Schema Therapists and Trainers, Clinical Psychologists)

In this informal and reflective session, Chris and Rob distill key insights from reviewing over 200 recorded schema therapy sessions. Expect practical takeaways, honest reflections, and a few surprises drawn from the therapy room.