Good psychological practice requires more than just working with clients, it means actively contributing to research, consuming research, staying current with evidence, and using that knowledge to inform treatment. This is the scientist-practitioner model and is fundamental to how psychology works.
Our founder, Dr Jemma Dessauvagie, embodies this approach. Jemma supervises honours students, supporting them in the completion of their fourth year thesis, alongside leading community-driven research projects through her role at Curtin University. Her position at a local hospital also enables her to pursue clinically-based research that tackles real-world mental health challenges.
These research pursuits allow Jemma to continue to explore and gain deeper understandings of her special interest areas whilst ensuring the care at JBD Psychology stays grounded in current evidence and best practice.
Active Project | Funded by the enAble Institute | Curtin University Ethics Approval (HRE2025-0410)
Fathers experience high rates of perinatal mental health difficulties but rarely seek help, and their distress often goes undetected. Given the reciprocal relationship between paternal and partner mental health, early identification is crucial for family wellbeing. However, insights regarding assessment of fathers’ mental health during the perinatal period is limited. This project aims to identify how fathers experience psychological distress during the perinatal period with the aim of informing better screening protocols and targeted treatments.
Active Project | In collaboration with researchers from the University of Technology Sydney | Curtin University Ethics Approval (HREC2025-0400)
Loneliness and social isolation are linked to significant health risks, including poor mental health and increased mortality, affecting 34% and 17% of Australians respectively. Informal carers of people with cancer experience substantial burdens and often sacrifice work and social activities, yet informal carers in oncology settings are not routinely screened for concerns such as loneliness and social isolation.
This study aims to explore carers’ experiences of loneliness and social isolation, identify their support needs, and develop domains for a brief clinical screening tool to address this critical gap in psychosocial care.
Conferred 2018 | Thesis was presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Curtin University
Elite-level and professional athletes experience increased vulnerability to poor mental health, yet prevalence of such concerns are often underestimated. This qualitative research with 23 Australian elite athletes and five support staff revealed a fundamental tension between athletes’ humanity and societal expectations of superhuman performance. Australian sporting culture demands victory, devalues effort, and subjects athletes to constant scrutiny, leaving them without space to be human.
The research aimed to inform interventions and support structures supporting athletes’ mental wellbeing on and off the field.
