Hi! I’m Jess

I've spent over 10 years as a Child Life Therapist, holding a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy and Psychological Science. But what exactly does a Child Life Therapist do, you may wonder? It's a question many people ask, often only discovering the profession when they or a loved one find themselves in a children’s hospital.

Essentially, my role is to support children and adolescents throughout their hospital experience, spanning from infancy to age 18. This could involve anything from undergoing a blood test, cardiac surgery, or chemotherapy to simply adjusting to the hospital environment. The spectrum of support needed varies greatly depending on the child's age and developmental stage. The way we would prepare and support a three-year-old to is going to be different compared to a ten-year-old, and different again compared an eighteen-year-old. Our expertise lies in tailoring our approach to meet each child's unique needs, with the ultimate goal of reducing distress, enhancing coping, and fostering a sense of mastery.

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working in various departments within two major Australian Pediatric Hospitals, including Palliative Care, Chronic Pain, Burns, Surgery, Orthopedics, Stomal Therapy, Intensive Care, and Pathology (plus more!!). I've worked extensively in both inpatient, outpatient, and community settings, engaging with children of all ages and their families. I've also had the opportunity to share my project work at national and international conferences.

My passion lies in education delivery and promoting trauma-informed care. I firmly believe that understanding the "why" behind our actions fundamentally transforms "how" we approach paediatric healthcare. Even small adjustments in practice can have a profound impact on a child's experience. I love tailoring education to meet the needs of individuals—both families and healthcare professionals—empowering them with knowledge and skills to create positive hospital experiences.

Outside of work, you'll often find me immersed in cooking (or perusing my collection of cookbooks), planning a dinner party for our friends and cherishing moments with my partner, toddler, and cheeky cat 🐈‍⬛.