Qualifications
Overview
Dr Gabriella Karakas is a Lecturer in Psychology, ACAP Fellow, and Provisional Psychologist.
As an academic, she has diverse experience across educational and governance functions - including course coordination, lecturing, research supervision, unit coordination, and teaching. She is currently an ACAP University College Fellow, with a focus on the ethical use of AI in psychology. Her teaching and leadership have been recognised through the previous appointment of Course Coordinator for the largest degree in the College (Course Coordinator for Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling), and numerous teaching awards.
As a Provisional Psychologist, Gabriella has experience in therapy, psychometric assessment, and diagnosis among children, adolescents, and adults. She has worked with various client profiles, including neurodiverse people, and those presenting with learning, anxiety, and personality disorders.
Gabriella has an active research profile, and is currently contributing to discussion regarding diversity, migration, mental health and the promotion of wellbeing. She has participated in international conferences, been the recipient of multiple grants, and contributed to publications, edited news and blogs.
Research
Gabriella’s research is focused on working towards equity in mental health provision, particularly among empirically under-represented and vulnerable populations. She is passionate about designing inclusive communities, and is currently contributing to inter-disciplinary discussion regarding diversity, identity, migration, mental health, and the promotion of wellbeing from a intersectional lens.
Teaching and Coordination Responsibilities
- Research supervision for Bachelor (Honours) and Masters of Psychology research projects
- MULT1015 Applications in Context (Tutor)
- PSYC5282 Foundational Perspectives: Lifespan Development Advanced (Tutor)
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Migration and Ethnic Relations
- Impact of Intersectionality on Well-Being and Service Utilisation
- Qualitative Research
Recognition
- ACAP University College Fellow 2025: The Ethical Implementation of AI in Psychology
- ACAP Medal 2022
- APS prize Winner 2022
- Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Award: Student Engagement in T222 and T322
- Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Award: Inspiring, Motivating and Guiding in T222 and T322
- Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Award: Promoting and Enhancing Learning in T322
Publications
Karakas, G., & Modesto, O. (2025). “You’re straight until proven gay” – A qualitative exploration of identity development among gay men who have ‘come-out’ as ‘late bloomers’. Psychology & Sexuality.
Karakas, G., du Plooy, D. R., & Hutton, V. (Eds.). (2025). Applications of self-care within the counselling practice: Lessons learnt across the professional lifespan. Springer.
Karakas, G., & du Plooy, D. R. (2024). “I didn’t want to leave my country”–Mental health services as experienced by Bosnian refugees in Australia. International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 20(2), 246–260. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMHSC-04-2023-0040
EMERALD
Karakas, G., & du Plooy, D. R. (2024). “A lot of work needs to be done”—Service provider perspectives of mental health services available to Croatia‐ and Bosnia‐born migrants. International Migration, 62(1), 126–142.
Lee, J. C. H., Branford, A., Karakas, G., Kayes, L., & Quek, K. (2023). Digital inter-est: On being together in a global digital world. In E. Vanderheiden & C.-H. Mayer (Eds.), The digital global condition (pp. 213–240). Springer.
Karakas, G., & Webster, S. (2023). ‘Intertext’ in a new context: Lessons learnt from collaborating, contributing, and connecting through an online interdisciplinary student-led symposium during COVID-19. In C. McLoughlin & J. Ayebi-Arthur (Eds.), Research and teaching in a pandemic world: The challenges of establishing academic identities during times of crisis (pp. 473–487). Springer.
Karakas, G. (2021). Pathways and barriers to mental health services utilisation among Croatia- and Bosnia and Herzegovina-born migrants in Melbourne, Australia (Doctoral dissertation, RMIT University).