Louise works in a clinical setting with young people and their families. She also conducts research into mental health treatments for young people and their families at the University of Ballarat. Louise’s background is in Applied Behaviour Analysis and she has spent the past few years conducting using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Louise has presented ACT work with adolescents nationally and internationally.

Recent key aspects of clinical and research work include being the principal investigator for a recently completed program of research funded by beyondblue. This involved developing and testing ACT for adolescents with depression. It included training and supervision of mental health professionals from public mental health services and secondary schools, as well as direct delivery of group and individual treatment with adolescents. Prior to this, she was instrumental in the development of the new CAMHS and Schools Together (CAST) service in the Grampians Region of Victoria. Louise was team leader for this initiative and developed treatment programs and protocols for children with disruptive behaviour disorders, their parents, teachers, and school personnel. The CAST service was an initiative of the Mental Health Branch of the Department of Human Services and has been replicated as a model program across Victoria.

Louise joined the University of Ballarat in 2006.

Current Research Grants

The beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence in Depression and Related Disorders. Evaluating evidence-based treatment of depression in adolescents using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy delivered in rural/regional services, $116,000

William Buckland Foundation. Evaluation of the Early Parenting Program, Child and Family Services, Ballarat, $35,000

Hayes, L. L., Boyd, C. P., & Sewell, J. ( under review). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for clinically referred adolescents with depressive symptoms.

Hayes, L. L., Bach, P. A., & Boyd, C. P. (under review). Depression in adolescence: Reviewing the evidence for psychotherapy and encouraging growth.

Hayes, L. L., Giallo, R., Richardson, K. (under review). Closing the Research-Service Gap: Demonstrating Effectiveness in a Mental Health Service Early Intervention Program for Childhood Disruptive Behavior.

Boyd, C.P., Hayes, L., Sewell, J., Caldwell, K., Kemp, E., Harvie, L., Aisbett, D.L., & Nurse, S. (2008). Mental health problems in rural contexts: A broader perspective. Australian Psychologist, 43, 2-6.

Boyd, C. P., Hayes, L. L., Wilson, R. L., & Bearsley-Smith, C. (2008). Harnessing the social capital of rural communities for youth mental health: An asset-based community development framework. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 16, 189–193.

Hayes, L., Matthews, J., Copley, A., & Welsh, D. (2007). A randomized controlled trial

of a mother-infant or toddler parenting program: Demonstrating effectiveness in

practice. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm085

Hayes, L.L. (2007). Problem behaviours in early primary school children: Australian normative data using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Teacher Reports. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41, 231-238.

Hayes, L.L., Hudson, A., & Matthews, J. (2007). Understanding Parental Monitoring through Analysis of Monitoring Episodes in Context. International Journal of Behavioral and Consultation Therapy, 3(1), 96-108.

Brann, P, Corboy, D, Costin, J, McDonald, J, Hayes, L, and Turner, M. (2007). An evaluation of an early intervention approach to disruptive behaviours in primary school children: Kool Kids, Positive Parents (KKPP) & CAMHS and Schools Together (CAST), Eastern Health: Melbourne.

Giallo, R., & Hayes, L. (2007). The paradox of teacher professional development programs for behaviour management: Comparing program satisfaction alongside changes in behaviour management practices. Australian Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 7, 109-119.

Hayes, L., Smart, D., Toumbourou, J. W., & Sanson, A. (2004). Parenting influences on adolescent alcohol use. Australian Institute of Family Studies Research Report No.10

Hayes, L., Hudson, A., & Matthews, J. (2004). Parental monitoring behaviours: A model of rules, supervision, and conflict. Behaviour Therapy, 35(3), 587-604.

Hayes, L. (2004). Parental monitoring of adolescent free time: A theoretical model of parent-adolescent interactions. Doctoral dissertation, RMIT University

Hayes, L., Hudson, A., & Matthews, J. (2003). Parental monitoring: A process model of parent adolescent interaction. Behaviour Change, 20(1), 13-24.

McDonald, J., & Hayes, L. (2001). Strengthening welfare services for young people: The vision and the challenge. Youth Studies Australia, 20(1), 37-47.

McDonald, J., & Hayes, L. (2001). Promoting resilience in young people: Progress in implementing a framework in schools. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 12(3), 261-264.

Hayes, L. (2006). The CAMHS and Schools Together program: Early intervention for children with difficult behaviour. Paper presented at Early Years: From Research to Policy to Practice. Royal Children’s Hospital. Melbourne.

Hayes, L. (2005). Parenting influences on adolescent alcohol use. Paper presented at the National Conference of the Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and Drugs, Melbourne.

Hayes, L. L. (2004). Parental monitoring: Modelling parent-adolescent interactions. World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies 2004 (WCBCT2004), Kobe, Japan.

Hayes, L., Hudson, A., & Matthews, J. (2002). A process model of parental monitoring. Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Brisbane.

Hayes, L., & Matthews, J. (2000). Father participation in parent training programs: Evaluating program acceptability. Paper presented at the Helping Families Change Conference, Brisbane.

Hayes, L., & Richardson, K. (2005). Behaviour management for early primary school children. Teacher resource produced for the CAMHS and Schools Together Project. Australian Government Quality Teaching Program. Ballarat, Victoria.

Australian Government Quality Teaching Program – Professional development in child behaviour management to primary school teachers in the Grampians Region of Victoria, $19,000

Department of Human Services Grampians Region – Development of parenting program Signposts Early School for the CAST Program, $20,000

Areas for supervision include:

Treatment research at clinical, early intervention and prevention levels for adolescents, children and parents.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies, particularly furthering treatment development

Mindfulness based cognitive and behavioural therapies

Theoretical foundations of applied behaviour analysis, behavioural theory and relational frame theory

Registered Psychologist - private consultation for children, adolescents and parents.

Research and Program leader at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Ballarat. Including the development and implementation of the CAMHS and Schools Together Program. An early intervention program for children in early primary school.