Dr Petrina Barson [MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, BA (Hons), Grad Dip MHS] graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1988. She enjoys her work as a general practitioner because it gives her the potential to know her patients over time and accompany them through the various phases of their lives.

Petrina loves to make a real difference for people by compassionate listening, by skilful medicine, and by partnering with them to help them best manage their health. She enjoys the full variety of general practice, and has special interests in women’s health, psychological medicine, and resolving the underlying causes of anxiety and depression through The Richards Trauma Process.

Petrina has been involved for many years in medical education, in particular teaching communication skills and compassion cultivation to medical students. She is the Director of the Centre for a Compassionate Society and is actively engaged in advocacy for refugee rights.