Meet Our New Outpost Psychologist

Q. When did you start working at Telethon Speech & Hearing?

Jessica: I’m still new, having started at the end of October.  

Q. What is your background and what has your path to TSH been?

J: I have had an interesting journey to becoming a psychologist at TSH. My original background was theatre and managing some of the main venues in Perth, but I was always pottering away at my psychology degree at UWA during this time. Then, after life-changing events, these experiences really cemented in my mind that psychology was what I wanted to do - to be able to support others during difficult times in their lives and their families’ lives.

I knew I had a passion for more of the counselling side of psychology, so I did a bit of training in psychotherapy and psychodynamic approaches and completed my post graduate diploma in social sciences (counselling) at ECU, which really ignited my interest in working therapeutically with families. I started working with adults as a generally registered psychologist, this role involved many complex presentations. I then moved into a school psychology role and have not looked back since then.

I really enjoyed my time working within the school system, for nearly 10 years now. During this time I completed my Master of Psychology (Counselling) at Curtin University as well as my endorsement for my specialist title, as well as my diploma of Holistic and Classical Yoga practices, as mind body integration is such an important part of our daily lives and wellbeing. I attempt to interweave breathing, meditation and movement into my work with clients, if appropriate to do so. Now I am with TSH!

Q. Please give us some insight into your role.

J: I am the outpost psychologist, so although I am based at TSH in Wembley, my role involves travelling to schools around the Perth metro area who have adopted the Telethon Speech & Hearing program and provide support to young people who access support via TSH in their mainstream school. I provide psychological support to a young person within their mainstream school (pre-primary-Y12) as well as support for their parents and families, if appropriate.

I also work alongside the Teachers of the Deaf, to provide strategies, education about mental health topics and support as they work with TSH students in their mainstream schools day to day.

Q. What are you most passionate about?

J: Many things: yoga, my family, travel and fashion! However, if I am to make it work focused, it would be assisting young people and their families during difficult moments in their lives. My child experienced hearing complications as an infant and going through the experience first hand really expanded my awareness with regards to the complexities of hearing loss, the possible short-term and long-term implications and, above all else, the unwavering love we hold for our children to provide them with the best possible start in life. We all want our children to feel content and confident within themselves and their abilities and to enjoy life. I consider myself very lucky to be able to assist families with navigating through the schooling journey.