Provisional Psychologist & Family Therapist (Telehealth)
Jennifer Poynton is a Provisional Psychologist who comes to BodyMatters with more than 5 years of clinical experience. She previously worked as a counsellor supporting individuals and significant others with issues related to problematic alcohol and drug use, and in suicide prevention settings prior to commencing her registration as a Provisional Psychologist in regional West Australia.
Jen brings authenticity and passion to her work in supporting clients and their families, experiencing eating disorders. She works at building a collaborative partnership with clients in the process of working towards their goals. Jen is focused on meeting the client where they currently are, along their process of change and recovery. A self-confessed science and psychology nerd, Jen views ethical and evidence-based practice as paramount. In therapy and her personal life, Jen believes in remaining mindful of our shared humanity and the importance of being compassionate and self- compassionate in a world of social rules, expectations, and standards which impact on our own sense of self-worth and self-confidence. A compassionate and non-judgmental therapeutic approach is integral to Jen’s therapeutic practice and motivates her support for intuitive eating and Health At Every Size approaches. This is also evident in Jen’s advocacy for affirming practice when working with individuals who identify as neurodivergent. Jen opposes the use of therapy which reinforces self-critical beliefs and low self-esteem. These are often developed when a neurodivergent young person struggles to fit in with a neurotypical world and can lead to setting them up to fail. An affirming approach encourages acceptance and change to their environment – providing a safe space for them to fulfil their potential and enjoy their best life – regardless of neurotype.
Jen has worked as a Provisional Psychologist for three years in regional Western Australia with adolescents and young people at headspace, in community mental health with clients experiencing severe and persistent mental health issues, in private practice supporting NDIS and private clients, and for low-cost NGO services providing family and individual counselling. In addition to this, her understanding of the issues experienced by individuals across the lifespan is supported by her Honours qualification in Psychology, a minor in Addiction studies, and post graduate School Psychology studies.
Through her past roles, Jen gained exposure to supporting people experiencing eating disorders. This led Jen to where she is today – passionate about working to support people with eating disorders, disordered eating, weight issues, body image concerns and body dysmorphia. Jen also has a particular interest in supporting people who have or are seeking bariatric surgery. Jen has obtained foundational clinical qualifications in supporting and treating individuals experiencing eating disorders and further extended this knowledge with specific eating disorder therapeutic treatment qualifications in Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and Maudsley Family Based Therapy (MFBT). Jen has recently completed a professional development credentialing scholarship through the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders (ANZAED).
Jen understands the problems that individuals and their families face progressing through life stages and has significant experience in support and treatment across a range of issues – which often also exist for people presenting with eating disorders. These include conflictual relationships, parenting, grief and loss, anxiety disorders, depression, neurodiverse presenting (autistic, ADHD), gender fluid, gender diverse and LGBTQI+, addiction issues, chronic pain, work stressors and work/life balance, OCD, personality disorders, and bipolar disorder. Jen’s work with client’s is collaborative, strengths based and person-centred, and she is experienced in CBT, CBT-E, MFBT, Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, DNA-V (a values-based approach for teens), and supportive counselling. Jen is also currently undertaking Level 1 and 2 Gottman Couples Therapy.
Jen is registered with AHPRA and is nearing completion of her internship program and hopes to gain her general registration within the next few months. Jen is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society, Health At Every Size, and the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Eating Disorders. Jen has also satisfied the requirements to become an Eating Disorder Credentialed Clinician with ANZAED.
You can read more about Jen here!
