Dr Keong Yap

I am the National Course Coordinator for postgraduate psychology programs at the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences. I joined ACU in 2015 to assist in setting up the Master of Psychology (Clinical) course in the Strathfield campus.  I graduated in 2002 from the University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Psychology majoring in clinical psychology. I am a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement and a PsyBA accredited supervisor.  

My research interests are in the area of clinical psychology. My research focuses on obsessive-compulsive disorder and hoarding disorder. I am also very interested in examining the application of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy) for these conditions. For further details:  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Keong_Yap/contributions

Please also visit the ACU Strathfield Clinical Psychology Research Lab https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/school-of-behavioural-and-health-sciences/research/the-clinical-psychology-lab-strathfield-campus

Recent peer-reviewed publications

2023

Yap, K., Timpano, K. R., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., & Grisham, J. R. (2023). High levels of loneliness in people with hoarding disorder. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 37, 100806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2023.100806

Laving, M., Foroni, F., Ferrari, M., Turner, C., & Yap, K. (2023). The association between OCD and Shame: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(1), 28-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12392

Dabb, C., Dryers, R., Brunton, R. J., Yap, K., & Roach, V. J. (2023).  Paternal pregnancy-related anxiety: Systematic review of men's concerns and experiences during their partners' pregnancies. Journal of Affective Disorders, 323, 640-658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.092

2022

Grisham, J. R., Yap, K., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., Briggs, N., & Norberg, M. M. (2022). A naturalistic study of emotion regulation-enhanced cognitive-behavioral group therapy for hoarding disorder in a community setting. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 10, 100450. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100450

Ferrari, M., Beath, A., Einstein, D.A., Yap, K., & Hunt, C. (2022). Gender differences in self-compassion: a latent profile analysis of compassionate and uncompassionate self-relating in    a large adolescent sample. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03408-0

Yap, K., Chen, W., Wong, S. F., Isemann, S., Svehla, J., Grisham, J. R. (2022). Is it as good as being in person? The effectiveness of a modified clinician facilitated Buried in Treasures group for hoarding disorder using video teleconferencing. Psychiatry Research. 314, 114631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114631

Ferrari, M., Ciarrochi, J., Yap, K., Sahdra, B., Hayes, S. C. (2022). Embracing the Complexity of our Inner Worlds: Understanding the Dynamics of Self-Compassion and Self-Criticism. Mindfulness. 13, 1652-1661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01897-5

Ciarrochi, J., Hayes, S. C., Hayes, L., Sahdra, B., Ferrari, M., Yap, K. & Hofmann, S. (2022). From Package to Process: An Evidence-based Approach to Processes of Change in Psychotherapy. In G. J. G. Asmundson. (Ed.). Comprehensive Clinical Psychology (2^nd. Edition), pp 26-44. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818697-8.00085-6

2021

Arrow, K., Yap, K., & Chester, A. (2021). Group Climate in Online Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy predicts Treatment Outcomes. Clinical Psychologist, 25(2), 153-163.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2020.1829944

Australian Postgraduate Psychology Simulation Education Working Group (2021). A new reality: The role of simulated learning activities in postgraduate psychology training programs. Frontiers   in Education, 6. Article 653269. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.653269

Kings, C., Moulding, R., Yap, K., Gazzola, R., & Knight, T. (2021). Measuring Possessions as Extensions of Self and Links to Significant Others in Hoarding: The Possessions as Others and Self  Inventory. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 43, 441-453.         https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-020-09858-9

Scott, J., Yap, K., Bunch, K., Haarhoff, B., Perry, H., Bennett-Levy, J. (2021). Should personal practice be part of cognitive behaviour therapy training? Results from two self-practice/self-reflection  (SP/SR) cohort control studies. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 28(1), 150-158        https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2497

Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2021). Object Attachment in hoarding disorder and its role in a   compensatory process. Current Opinion in Psychology. 39, 76-81.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.07.022

Yap, K., Sheen, J., Nedeljkovic, M., Milne, L., Lawrence, K., & Hay, M. (2021). Assessing clinical competencies using the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in psychology   training. Clinical Psychologist, 25(3), 260-270.  https://doi.org/10.1080/13284207.2021.1932452

2020

Ciarrochi, J., Sahdra, B. K., Yap, K. & Dicke, T. (2020). The role of nonattachment in the development of adolescent mental health: a three-year longitudinal study. Mindfulness 11, 2131-2139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01421-7

Cooper, D., Yap, K., Brien, M., & Scott, I. (2020). Mindfulness and empathy among counseling and psychotherapy professionals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 11, 2243-2257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01425-3

Eppingstall, J., Xenos, S., & Yap, K. (2020) Acceptance and commitment therapy for hoarding disorder: A proposed treatment protocol for individuals. Australian Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12438

Frei, J. M., Sazhin, V., Fick, M., & Yap, K. (2020). Emotion-oriented coping style predicts self-harm in response to acute psychiatric hospitalization. Crisis - The Journal of Crisis Intervention and  Suicide Prevention. 42, 3. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000713

Yap, K. & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Object attachment and emotions in hoarding disorder.Comprehensive Psychiatry, 100, 152179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2020.152179

Yap, K., Eppingstall, J., Brennan, C., Le, B., & Grisham, J. R. (2020). Emotional attachment to objects mediates the relationship between loneliness and hoarding symptoms, 24, 100487, doi: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100487

2019

Yap, K., & Grisham, J. R. (2019). Unpacking the construct of emotional attachment to objects and its association with hoarding symptoms.  Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 8(2), 249-258. doi: 0.1556/2006.8.2019.15

Linardon, J., Gleeson, J., Yap, K., Murphy, K., & Brennan, L. (2019). Meta-analysis of the effects of third-wave behavioural interventions on disordered eating and body image concerns: Implications for eating disorder prevention. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 48(1), 15-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2018.1517389

2018

Frost, R. O., Gabrielson, I., Deady, S., Dernbach, K. B., Guevara, G., Peeeles-Dorin, M., Yap, K., & Grisham, J. R. (2018). Scrupulosity and hoarding. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 86, 19-24. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.06.011

• Registered Psychologist with clinical psychology endorsement, Psychology Board of Australia (Reg No. PSY0001123023)
• AHPRA accredited clinical supervisor for High Degree and Registrar Programs
• Australia Psychological Society (APS Membership No. 106036)
• APS College of Clinical Psychologists
• Working with Children Check, NSW
• Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, member
• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, member