Dr. Karen Gallaty

For the past 17 years, Dr. Karen Gallaty has led CBT Professionals with compassion, innovation, and a deep commitment to excellence in psychological care. With 24 years of clinical experience, Karen blends evidence-based practice with genuine empathy to help clients achieve meaningful and lasting change.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the University of Queensland and a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from Griffith University. Her doctoral research explored attachment in couples, leading to several international journal publications and a co-authored book chapter. She continues to contribute to the profession through guest lecturing at Bond University and media appearances on Hot Tomato Radio.

Areas of Clinical Interest

Karen has a strong focus on supporting adults with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through diagnostic assessment, life coaching, and therapy that helps clients understand their neurodivergent profiles and live with greater balance and purpose.

Her work often supports individuals navigating:

• Rejection sensitivity and emotional regulation
• Insomnia and disrupted sleep/wake cycles
• Anxiety and overthinking
• Executive function challenges such as organisation, planning, and procrastination
• Low self-worth and healing from childhood trauma
• Improving motivation, productivity, and goal setting
• Overcoming addictions and regulating dopamine constructively

Relationship Counselling

Karen is trained in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples, an evidence-based approach that helps partners understand and respond to each other’s deeper emotional needs. She supports couples in healing from relationship betrayal, navigating stress, and rebuilding trust and closeness.

Her work helps partners identify and change negative communication patterns, fostering emotional safety, stronger communication, and a deeper sense of connection. Whether recovering from rupture or seeking greater intimacy, Karen’s approach provides a compassionate path toward reconnection and growth.

Anxiety, Trauma, and Complex Presentations

In addition to her neurodiversity and relationship work, Karen has extensive experience in treating Anxiety Disorders—including Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, Phobias, and PTSD—as well as complex trauma and dissociative presentations. Her therapeutic style combines Emotion-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to promote both immediate coping and long-term healing.

Clinical Leadership and Supervision

Beyond client work, Karen is deeply committed to the development of future psychologists. She provides supervision and mentoring to interns and registrars and leads the facilitators of the Secret Agent Society program, supporting their work with neurodivergent children and those experiencing anxiety.

Beyond the Clinic

Outside of work, Karen enjoys life as a dance mum, taking beach walks, exploring great cuisine, and practicing regular cold plunges for self-care. She believes that joy, balance, and genuine connection are essential ingredients for a fulfilling life—values she brings to both her personal and professional world.