Jess is a clinical psychologist who has been supporting individuals and families in the western suburbs of Brisbane and online since 2002. She is passionate about providing effective, accessible and evidence-based psychological care to help people move from where they are to where they want to be.

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Born in Wollongong, Jess completed her psychology degree at the University of Wollongong, including a drug and alcohol counselling internship at Kedesh Rehabilitation Services in 2000.

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Since 1997, Jess has worked across several Commonwealth Government roles with a wide range of client groups, including young people, mature-aged adults, parents, First Nations communities and people experiencing unemployment. These experiences shaped her commitment to practical, client-centred, down-to-earth support.

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As a mother of two, Jess has a long-standing interest in perinatal mental health and is registered with Medicare to provide non-directive pregnancy support counselling.

Drawing on professional training and lived experience with an overactive sympathetic nervous system (commonly experienced as anxiety), Jess brings grounded psycho-education and practical tools to support emotional regulation, self-understanding and wellbeing.

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Jess also works with clients seeking support around the psychological aspects of behaviour change, health, and lifestyle habits, including the emotional and cognitive factors that contribute to weight concerns, self-esteem, motivation and body image. This work focuses on values, self-compassion, mindset, emotional regulation and sustainable habit development—always within psychological scope and without offering diet, nutrition or exercise programming.

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Jess is a highly experienced Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapist and also provides EMDR Therapy, Schema Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). She was introduced to ACT in 2005 and has a long-standing interest in supporting clients to build psychological flexibility and live more in alignment with their values.

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Jess is currently undertaking a PhD researching suicide prevention, with a focus on bridging the gap between ideation-to-action suicide theories and real-world suicide intervention. Her research aims to contribute to the evidence base for clinical practice by integrating theoretical insights with the lived realities of therapeutic work.

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In therapy, Jess works collaboratively to clarify what matters most to you, understand what is keeping you stuck, and support meaningful steps toward change. Her focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment where you can explore difficult thoughts, feelings and patterns, and build a more intentional, compassionate and values-driven life.

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Jess is committed to culturally safe, inclusive and trauma-informed practice. She welcomes clients from all backgrounds and provides respectful care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ clients, neurodivergent clients and people with disabilities.

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Publications:

Smout, M. F., Hayes, L., Atkins, P. W. B., Klausen, J., & Duguid, J. E. (2012). The empirically supported status of acceptance and commitment therapy: An update. Clinical Psychologist, 16(3), 97–109. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-9552.2012.00051.x

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Qualifications:

Bachelor of Psychology. University of Wollongong 2002

Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Onfit training 2012

Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical). ACAP 2023

 

Professional Memberships:

Jessica is a member of:
• Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi)
• EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
• International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST)

Membership reflects professional affiliation and does not imply organisational endorsement.