Dr Jemma Dessauvagie

I am an ex-elite athlete and hold a PhD in the area of mental health and wellbeing of Australian elite and professional athletes. My experiences as an elite athlete means I have an intimate understanding of the unique stress and stressors experienced by athletes.

I have a keen interest in supporting athletes during and beyond their careers, from grass roots through to elite and professional levels of sport. I have a particular interest in supporting athletes’ transition out of sport, especially where their transition or retirement has not been by choice. I previously worked at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), and held positions in Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, Performance Psychology, and served as Mental Health Coordinator during my tenure. 

Further to this, I have experience working with a wide range of presenting concerns, including mood and anxiety disorders, interpersonal difficulties, postpartum depression and/or anxiety, identity and adjustment stress, grief and loss, substance misuse, trauma and general life transitions. I also had experience working with ex-service personnel in the vocational rehabilitation space. 

I am an integrative therapist and depending on a client’s needs, may draw upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Schema Therapy, and/other evidence based models. I offer short or longer term therapy, in person or via video call (Telehealth).