I am a psychologist and rehabilitation counsellor lecturing at the University of Sydney, and undertaking PhD research identifying cognitive impairment and brain injury in people experiencing homelessness.

My experience of working with people experiencing homelessness in clinical, service management and policy roles spans 25+years in not-for-profit and local government environments in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Locally, I have been fortunate to contribute to the establishment of some key innovative Housing First programs in Sydney, including Platform 70 and Common Ground.

Alongside teaching and research, I operate a small private practice delivering supervision to people working in homelessness and supportive housing, and supporting NGO providers towards best practice in service design, service delivery, data collection and impact measurement. I am passionate about homelessness resolution, and see psychologists as having the opportunity to take a leading role in this space.

I am a registered Clinical Psychologist with a special interest in homelessness. I hold a Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree from The University of Sydney (2006) and a PhD in Health Sciences (Public Health) from Swinburne University (2023). My research focus is trauma history and mental health among adults experiencing homelessness.

My current roles include providing psychological services for clients of Mission Australia through the Medicare Better Access initiative and Psychological Access Plus program, and teaching psychology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney.

I began the APS Interest Group on Psychology and Homelessness in 2018 with a view to connecting individuals concerned with the mental health needs of people experiencing homelessness.

Jennifer is a Committee Member of Interest Groups. She has a passion for psychology, seeing it both as an art and a science. Jennifer values the balance between empirical research (science) and the more human, creative aspects of psychological practice (art). She enjoys engaging with others who contribute to the field in diverse ways, recognizing that psychology is enriched by multiple perspectives and methodologies. Jennifer js an interdisciplinary practitioner dedicated to exploring the complex ways in which interactions shape behaviours, emotions, and cognitive health. With a focus on relationships—whether platonic, romantic, or professional—she investigates the dynamics of communication, social influence, and interpersonal patterns that contribute to psychological well-being. Her work emphasizes the importance of life, security, housing, and privacy as essential rights for achieving personal, social, and environmental health. She enjoys the outdoors including canoeing.