Dr Jamie Barnier
Why I Do What I Do
Like many others, I got into the field of psychology as I wanted to make a positive difference in this world. I find true meaning in the work that I do. Truthfully, there are few other experiences I’ve found in life more humbling and fulfilling than to see someone overcome tremendous pain and adversity and come out the other side more happy and whole.
This passion continues to drive my desire to push myself into being the best psychologist I can be.
I spend a fair bit of time staying up to date with the latest innovations in psychological treatment. Specifically, what makes for more effective treatment. I meet with a senior colleague at least fortnightly and often weekly to review videotapes of my own work with clients (where consent has been obtained to do so) and outside of this review videotapes of my own work individually. I believe this leads to better outcomes than simply discussing my work at a theoretical level and looking back at my case notes.
I have spent the last 13 years focusing on Experiential Dynamic Therapy (e.g, Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy; ISTDP, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy; AEDP), a type of therapy that aims to get to the root cause of a person’s psychological difficulties and help them understand, process and control their emotions better. This in turn leads to increased emotional health, self-esteem and improved relationships with others
Dr Jamie Barnier is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience across public, private and not-for-profit settings. He has held senior clinical positions in psychiatric inpatient units, early psychosis, child and youth mental health, medical wards and palliative care.
Jamie has been certified as a supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia since 2014, supervising psychologists, psychiatric registrars, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses. He has a particular interest in supervising clinicians drawn to experiential dynamic therapies and those looking to deepen their clinical effectiveness and find greater fulfilment in their work.
His private practice in Melbourne focuses on adults experiencing complex trauma, attachment difficulties, interpersonal problems and perinatal mental health — with a particular interest in supporting fathers. Jamie is a faculty board member of the Dynamic Emotion Focused Therapy (DEFT) Institute.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Psychology (First Class Honours) – Griffith University 2008
- Doctorate of Clinical Psychology – Griffith University 2012
How I Practice
My main therapeutic focus is experiential dynamic therapy (EDT), a modality I have studied intensely for the past 13 years in Australia and internationally. EDT includes approaches such as Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Therapy (AEDP). I also integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), a parts-based approach that helps people understand and heal different aspects of themselves.
These therapies all share a strong focus on emotional experience in the present moment and follow the process of memory reconsolidation – the brain’s innate ability to update and ‘rewrite’ outdated emotional learnings from the past. This allows for deep, lasting change rather than just temporary relief. Grounded in attachment, systems, and psychodynamic theory, and supported by decades of research, EDT and IFS are effective across a wide range of psychological difficulties. Rather than simply managing symptoms, they aim to address the root cause of distress and promote meaningful, lasting growth.
A central part of this work is understanding how internal patterns—both conscious and unconscious—can interfere with our relationships, self‑worth, personal growth and overall satisfaction in life. These patterns, known as defences, are emotional, psychological, and behavioural mechanisms that once helped us cope with painful or overwhelming experiences. Although they are triggered by challenges we face in the present, they were originally formed earlier in life, at a time when we were more vulnerable and had fewer resources to manage distress. In this way, defences represent our mind and body’s best attempt at coping given the circumstances at the time.
However, these same patterns often keep us stuck. For example, if I believe I am unlovable, I might avoid intimacy or sabotage relationships. While this may feel “safe” or familiar, it reinforces the belief that I am inherently flawed or unworthy of love. Over time, this can lead to difficulties such as emotional numbness or detachment, or at the other extreme, feeling dysregulated or explosive. These challenges often contribute to problems like depression, anxiety, low self‑esteem, or struggles with alcohol and drug use.
EDT is comprehensive, working with emotional, bodily (somatic), cognitive (thinking) and relational experiences. Much of the process involves helping you notice and process feelings in the body—something that is often new or unfamiliar for many people but is a powerful way of fostering deep, lasting change. As you begin to access and process these emotions, the defences that once blocked them will naturally arise, giving us an opportunity to understand and transform them. By working through these barriers and accessing underlying feelings and memories, a healthier resolution becomes possible.
