Dr Jessica Podkowka is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in a range of settings, including private practice, and inpatient and day patient eating disorder programs such as the Peter Beumont Centre for Eating Disorders at the Hills Private Hospital. Jessica is a registered treatment provider through Victims of Crime Services.
In addition to her clinical work, Jessica is a Guest Lecturer in Child/Adolescent and Adult Eating Disorders for Clinical Psychology postgraduate university students and has presented clinical workshops for clinicians at the annual Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) conference. Jessica is also Co-Chair of the Social Media Committee for ANZAED. In this role, she is involved in promoting the activities of these organisations with regard to research, prevention, treatment and advocacy in the field of eating disorders.
Client ages
Children, adolescents and adults
Primary areas of expertise
Eating disorders
Complex trauma and post-traumatic stress syndromes
Depression and anxiety
Perfectionism
Therapy style and influences
Jessica values developing strong and meaningful therapeutic relationships that support her clients to feel safe and at ease in the therapeutic environment. She works collaboratively, blending her expertise as a clinician with clients’ strengths and their expert knowledge of themselves, to address shared treatment goals.
Jessica is committed to providing evidence-based treatment and is trained in:
- Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders
- Specialist Supportive Clinical Management of Eating Disorders
- Maudsley Model of Anorexia Treatment in Adults
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Eating Disorders
- Maudsley Family-Based Treatment
- Adolescent-Focused Therapy
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- Schema Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy
- Cognitive Processing Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Publications/research
Together with colleagues at The Redleaf Practice, Jessica has co-authored a publication pertaining to the effectiveness of implementing Maudsley Family-Based Treatment for adolescent Anorexia Nervosa in a private practice setting.
Hobbies
In her free time, Jessica is an avid reader and also enjoys attending musical theatre.
Days at Redleaf
Monday, Tuesday (Telehealth), Thursday & Friday
Professional memberships
- International Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)
- Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED)
- Co-Chair of the Social Media Committee for the Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)
