Dr Lou Farrer

BPsych(Hons) (ANU), PhD (ANU)
Research Fellow

Biography

Dr Lou Farrer is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Mental Health Research at The ANU. She currently holds an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) to examine how digital mental health interventions are implemented in clinical practice (2019-2024). Dr Farrer aims to use these and other data to help optimise the use of digital tools by practitioners in the Australian mental health care system. Dr Farrer's research has recently focused on the role of telehealth in mental health care.

Dr Farrer graduated with a PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2011. Her thesis examined the effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy among users of Lifeline's crisis counselling service.

Dr Farrer's primary research interests are in the development, evaluation, and implementation of technology-based mental health interventions and tools. Her research has focused on conducting trials of automated, online therapy programs targeting depression and anxiety disorders. As a clinically-trained researcher, Dr Farrer is interested in the intersection of technology, clinical service delivery, and research, namely, exploring different methods of supporting users of digital interventions, examining factors that predict response and adherence to these programs, and investigating models of disseminating and implementing online interventions in different settings.

Dr Farrer also has expertise in the mental health of higher education students, and currently leads a program of research involving the redevelopment and national evaluation of the Uni Virtual Clinic, and a longitudinal study examining the mental health trajectories of students transitioning to university.

Publications

  • Batterham, P, Gulliver, A, Sunderland, M et al. 2023, 'Factors Influencing Community Participation in Internet Interventions Compared With Research Trials: Observational Study in a Nationally Representative Adult Cohort', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 25, pp. 1-18.
  • Farrer, L, Batterham, P, Gulliver, A et al. 2023, 'The Factors Associated With Telehealth Use and Avoidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Survey', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 25, pp. 1-10.
  • Shou, Y, Farrer, L, Gulliver, A et al. 2023, 'Understanding Australian Government Risk Communication Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographics, Risk Attitudes and Media Consumption', Journal of Health Communication, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 254-263.
  • Jackson, H, Calear, A, Batterham, P et al. 2023, 'Skill Enactment and Knowledge Acquisition in Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 25, pp. 1-23.
  • Feldhege, J, Bilic, S, Ali, K et al. 2022, 'Knowledge and Myths about Eating Disorders in a German Adolescent Sample: A Preliminary Investigation', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 11.
  • Ali, K, Fassnacht, D, Farrer, L et al. 2022, 'Recruitment, adherence and attrition challenges in internet-based indicated prevention programs for eating disorders: lessons learned from a randomised controlled trial of ProYouth OZ', Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 10, no. 1.
  • Smithson, M, Shou, Y, Dawel, A et al. 2022, 'The Psychological Benefits of an Uncertain World: Hope and Optimism in the Face of Existential Threat', Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13.
  • Batterham, P, Gulliver, A, Kurz, E et al. 2022, 'The Effect of Dissemination Pathways on Uptake and Relative Costs for a Transdiagnostic, Self-guided Internet Intervention for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation: Comparative Implementation Study', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. e34769.
  • Banfield, M, Shou, Y, Morse, A et al. 2022, 'Awareness and perceived helpfulness of mental health peer workers in a representative sample of the Australian public', Psychiatry Research Communications, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1-5.
  • Shou, Y, Smithson, M, Gulliver, A et al. 2022, 'Risk Tolerance and Changes in Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Related Health Behaviors: A Longitudinal Study', Health Psychology, vol. 41, no. 8, pp. 507-518.
  • Batterham, P, Shou, Y, Farrer, L et al. 2022, 'Patterns and predictors of alcohol use during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Longitudinal cohort study', Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, vol. 46, no. 7, pp. 1248-1257.
  • Farrer, L, Clough, B, Bekker, M et al. 2022, 'Telehealth use by mental health professionals during COVID-19', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 230-240.
  • Shou, Y, Smithson, M, Gulliver, A et al. 2022, 'Risk Tolerance and Changes in Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Related Health Behaviors: A Longitudinal Study', Health Psychology, vol. 41, no. 8.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Shou, Y et al. 2022, 'Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal ideation in a representative Australian population sample: Longitudinal cohort study, Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 300, pp. 385-391.
  • Karyotaki, E, Efthimiou, O, Miguel, C et al. 2021, 'Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Network Meta-analysis', JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 361-371.
  • Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Gulliver, A et al. 2021, 'Cause or Symptom? A Longitudinal Test of Bidirectional Relationships Between Emotion Regulation Strategies and Mental Health Symptoms', Emotion, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 1511-1521.
  • McCallum, S, Calear, A, Cherbuin, N et al. 2021, 'Associations of loneliness, belongingness and health behaviors with psychological distress and wellbeing during COVID-19', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 6, no. 100214, pp. 1-9.
  • Calear, A, McCallum, S, Christensen, H et al. 2021, 'The Sources of Strength Australia Project: A cluster randomised controlled trial of a peer-connectedness school-based program to promote help-seeking in adolescents', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 299, no. 2022, pp. 435-443.
  • Farrer, L & Gulliver, A 2018, 'Going virtual: how can technology play a role in supporting students with mental health problems?', University and College Counselling, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 20-25.
  • Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Poyser, C et al. 2017, 'Online recruitment: feasibility, cost, & representativeness in a study of postpartum women', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 19, no. 3.
  • Calear, A, McCallum, S, Morse, A et al. 2022, 'Psychosocial impacts of home-schooling on parents and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic', BMC Public Health, vol. 22, no. 119, pp. 1-8.
  • Morse, A, Banfield, M, Batterham, P et al. 2022, 'What could we do differently next time? Australian parents' experiences of the short-term and long-term impacts of home schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic', BMC Public Health, vol. 22, no. 80, pp. 1-9.
  • Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Smithson, M et al. 2021, 'Corrigendum: The Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Wellbeing in a Representative Sample of Australian Adults', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 11.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Sunderland, M et al. 2021, 'A brief intervention to increase uptake and adherence of an internet-based program for depression and anxiety (Enhancing Engagement with Psychosocial Interventions): Randomized controlled trial', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 7.
  • Gulliver, A, Calear, A, Sunderland, M et al. 2021, 'Predictors of acceptability and engagement in a self-guided online program for depression and anxiety', Internet Interventions, vol. 25.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, McCallum, S et al. 2021, 'Trajectories of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in a representative Australian adult cohort', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 214, no. 10, pp. 462-468.
  • Furukawa, T, Suganuma, A, Ostinelli, E et al. 2021, 'Dismantling, optimising, and personalising internet cognitive behavioural therapy for depression: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis using individual participant data', The Lancet Psychiatry, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 500-511.
  • Gulliver, A, Banfield, M, Batterham, P et al. 2021, 'Effects of previous exposure to psychotherapeutic strategies on depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic', BJPsych Open, vol. 7, no. 1, e38.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Farrer, L et al. 2021, 'Efficacy of a Transdiagnostic Self-Help Internet Intervention for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 1.
  • Gulliver, A, Calear, A, Sunderland, M et al. 2020, 'Consumer-Guided Development of an Engagement-Facilitation Intervention for Increasing Uptake and Adherence for Self-Guided Web-Based Mental Health Programs: Focus Groups and Online Evaluation Survey', JMIR Formative Research, vol. 4, e22528
  • Dawel, A, Shou, Y, Smithson, M et al. 2020, 'The Effect of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Wellbeing in a Representative Sample of Australian Adults', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 11, 579985
  • Ali, K, Fassnacht, D, Farrer, L et al. 2020, 'What prevents young adults from seeking help? Barriers toward help-seeking for eating disorder symptomatology', International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 894-906.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Katruss, N et al. 2020, 'Development of the Uni Virtual Clinic: an online programme for improving the mental health of university students', British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 333-346.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Katruss, N et al. 2019, 'A novel multi-component online intervention to improve the mental health of university students: Randomised controlled trial of the Uni Virtual Clinic', Internet Interventions, vol. 18, no. 0.
  • Banfield, M, Farrer, L & Harrison, C 2019, 'Management or missed opportunity? Mental health care planning in Australian general practice', Australian Journal of Primary Health, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 332-338.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Gulliver, A et al. 2019, 'Efficacy of a transdiagnostic, video-based online program for reducing depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in adults: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial', Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, vol. 14.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Sunderland, M et al. 2019, 'A brief intervention to increase uptake and adherence of an online program for depression and anxiety: Protocol for the Enhancing Engagement with Psychosocial Interventions (EEPI) Randomized Controlled Trial', Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 78, no. March 2019, pp. 107-115.
  • Farrer, L, Walker, J, Harrison, C et al. 2018, 'Primary care access for mental illness in Australia: Patterns of access to general practice from 2006 to 2016', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 1-12pp.
  • Batterham, P, Calear, A, Farrer, L et al. 2018, 'FitMindKit: Randomised controlled trial of an automatically tailored online program for mood, anxiety, substance use and suicidality', Internet Interventions, vol. 12, pp. 91-99pp.
  • Gulliver, A, Farrer, L, Bennett, K et al. 2018, 'University staff experiences of students with mental health problems and their perceptions of staff training needs', Journal of Mental Health, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 247-256pp.
  • Karyotaki, E, Kemmeren, L, Riper, H et al. 2018, 'Is self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) harmful? An individual participant data meta-analysis', Psychological Medicine, vol. 48, no. 15, pp. 2456-2466.
  • Gulliver, A, Farrer, L, Bennett, K et al. 2017, 'University staff mental health literacy, stigma and their experience of students with mental health problems', Journal of Further and Higher Education, vol. Online.
  • Karyotaki, E, Riper, H, Twisk, J et al. 2017, 'Efficacy of Self-guided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Depressive Symptoms: A Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data', JAMA Psychiatry, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 351-359pp.
  • Leach, L, Butterworth, P, Poyser, C et al. 2017, 'Online Recruitment: Feasibility, Cost, and Representativeness in a Study of Postpartum Women', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 5pps.
  • Ali, K, Farrer, L, Fassnacht, D et al. 2017, 'Perceived Barriers and Facilitators Towards Help-seeking for Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review', International Journal of Eating Disorders, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 9-21.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Bennett, K et al. 2016, 'Demographic and psychosocial predictors of major depression and generalised anxiety disorder in Australian university students', BMC Psychiatry, vol. 16, no. 241, pp. 1-9.
  • Chan, J, Farrer, L, Gulliver, A et al. 2016, 'University Students' Views on the Perceived Benefits and Drawbacks of Seeking Help for Mental Health Problems on the Internet: A Qualitative Study', JMIR Human Factors, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. e3.
  • Karyotaki, E, Kleiboer, A, Smit, F et al. 2015, 'Predictors of treatment dropout in self-guided web-based interventions for depression: an 'individual patient data' meta-analysis', Psychological Medicine, vol. 45, no. 13, pp. 2717-2726.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Bennett, K et al. 2015, 'Exploring the acceptability of online mental health interventions among university teaching staff: Implications for intervention dissemination and uptake', Internet Interventions, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 359-365.
  • Ali, K, Farrer, L, Gulliver, A et al 2015, 'Online peer to peer support for young people with mental health problems: a systematic review', JMIR Mental Health, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. e19-e19.
  • Gulliver, A, Bennett, K, Bennett, A et al 2015, 'Privacy issues in the development of a virtual mental health clinic for university students: a qualitative study', JMIR Mental Health, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. e9-e9.
  • Gulliver, A, Farrer, L, Chan, J et al. 2015, 'Technology-based interventions for tobacco and other drug use in university and college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, vol. 10, no. 5, pp. 1-10pp.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Chan, J et al 2015, 'University Students’ Views on the Perceived Benefits and Drawbacks of Seeking Help for Mental Health Problems on the Internet: A Qualitative Study', JMIR Mental Health, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. e2-e2.
  • Cunningham, J, Gulliver, A, Farrer, L et al. 2014, 'Internet Interventions for Mental Health and Addictions: Current Findings and Future Directions', Current Psychiatry Reviews, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 521-521.
  • van Spijker, B, Batterham, P, Calear, A et al. 2014, 'The Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS): Community-Based Validation Study of a New Scale for the Measurement of Suicidal Ideation', Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 408-419.
  • Farrer, L, Griffiths, K, Christensen, H et al. 2014, 'Predictors of Adherence and Outcome in Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy Delivered in a Telephone Counseling Setting', Cognitive Therapy and Research, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 358-367.
  • Christensen, H, Farrer, L, Batterham, P et al. 2013, 'The effect of a web-based depression intervention on suicide ideation: Secondary outcome from a randomised controlled trial in a helpline', BMJ Open, vol. 3, no. 6.
  • Farrer, L, Griffiths, K & Bennett, K 2013, 'Young and Well CRC', The Australasian Student Residences Management Journal, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 32-35.
  • Farrer, L, Gulliver, A, Chan, J et al. 2013, 'Technology-based interventions for mental health in tertiary students: Systematic review', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. e101-e101.
  • Batterham, P, Gulliver, A & Farrer, L 2013, Explainer: what is depression?, The Conversation
  • Griffiths, K, Mackinnon, A, Crisp, D et al. 2012, 'The Effectiveness of an Online Support Group for Members of the Community with Depression: A Randomised Controlled Trial', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 7, no. 12, pp. 1-9.
  • Farrer, L, Christensen, H, Griffiths, K et al. 2012, 'Web-Based cognitive behavior therapy for depression with and without telephone tracking in a national helpline: Secondary outcomes from a randomized controlled trial', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 60-69.
  • Farrer, L, Christensen, H, Griffiths, K et al. 2011, 'Internet-Based CBT for Depression with and without Telephone Tracking in a National Helpline: Randomised Controlled Trial', PLOS ONE (Public Library of Science), vol. 6, no. 11, pp. e28099-e28099.
  • Burgess, N, Christensen, H, Griffiths, K et al. 2010, 'Recruitment challenges associated with a randomised controlled trial within a general telephone counselling service', Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 409-413.
  • Griffiths, K, Farrer, L & Christensen, H 2010, 'The efficiacy of internet interventions for depression and anxiety disorders: A review of randomised controlled trials', Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 192, no. 11, pp. S4-S11.
  • Christensen, H, Griffiths, K & Farrer, L 2009, 'Adherence in Internet interventions for anxiety and depression', Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. e23.
  • Farrer, L, Leach, L, Griffiths, K et al. 2008, 'Age differences in mental health literacy', BMC Public Health, vol. 8, no. 125, p. 8.
  • Burgess, N, Christensen, H, Leach, L et al. 2008, 'Mental health profile of callers to a generalist telephone counselling service', Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 42-47.
  • Griffiths, K, Farrer, L & Christensen, H 2007, 'Clickety-Click: e-mental health train on track', Australasian Psychiatry, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 100-108.
  • Griffiths, K, Farrer, L & Christensen, H 2006, Effective treatments a click away, InPsych.