Hampton

Dr Jenny McKay is a clinical psychologist who has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults. Jenny completed her doctorate in clinical psychology (child specialisation) at the University of Melbourne. She has worked in both private practice and public health settings, including The Royal Children’s Hospital Mental Health Service, Barwon Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), and Headspace. She also spent several years in Sydney where she worked at Northern Beaches CAMHS and at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.

Jenny has experience working with a range of psychological problems that occur across the lifespan. In particular, she has significant expertise in treating problems related to mood and anxiety. This includes depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder/agoraphobia, and generalised anxiety disorder. She has also co-facilitated an anxiety group program for parents and children. 

Jenny has a particular interest in working with adolescents presenting with a range of difficulties, such as self-harm, risk-taking behaviours, poor emotion regulation/mood instability, peer-related issues, school refusal, and body image concerns. She places a strong emphasis on engagement and building a solid rapport in order to help the young person feel comfortable during the sessions and to develop trust and understanding.

Jenny uses a variety of evidence-based psychological interventions when working with clients, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and attachment-focused family therapy. She recognises the importance of the parent-child relationship and where appropriate, endeavours to include parents and other significant family members in the therapeutic process.