About Me

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Jennifer is passionate about making therapy accessible and relevant to people from different walks of life and backgrounds, especially those who believe that “it is too late to make a change” (it’s not!), or that “I’m not a therapy type of person” (you can be!).

Starting therapy can take a lot of courage, especially when people are feeling vulnerable and exhausted from struggling with things on their own. Jennifer works hard to develop a warm and collaborative therapeutic environment where her clients feel respected, safe and supported. Jennifer also believes that effective therapy is practical and change-focused, and strives to provide clients with the knowledge and tools so they can improve their lives in ways that are meaningful and relevant for them.

Therapeutic Interests

Jennifer as experience in both private and public settings working with a range
of client groups and disorders, in particular:

• Anxiety disorders (social anxiety, panic, agoraphobia)

• Mood disorders (major depression, bipolar affective disorder)

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

• Personality disorders (particularly involving low self-esteem, avoidance,
  perfectionism)

• Grief/loss and existential issues

• Adjustment difficulties (including life stage transitions and personal
  development)

Jennifer’s therapeutic approach is based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy framework. She also uses interventions from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) approaches, depending on the client and their circumstances.

Jennifer works primarily with adults (including older adults) and also works with older teenagers in some circumstances.​

Other Professional Interests

Jennifer continues to work in the public mental health system with a focus on long term psychosocial rehabilitation, and client-centred recovery. She is affiliated with the University of Melbourne Psychology Clinic as a clinical supervisor for graduate psychology students.

Jennifer also has a particular interest in e-mental health, suicide prevention (including working with suicide-survivors), and self-care for therapists and those in caring professions.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) – Melbourne University

• Post Graduate Diploma of Psychology  - Monash University

• Graduate Diploma of Psychology  - Monash University

Dr Jennifer Preston  (ABN 43 558 926 900) is an independent psychologist practicing from the MPC consulting room