DR. KATHARINE HODGKINSON

Dr Katharine Hodgkinson
Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons), M Psychol (Clin), PhD, MAPS

Dr Katharine Hodgkinson, Clinical Psychologist has over 25 years’ experience in client care, research and education. She has worked in community, hospital and private settings providing psychological services to those dealing with range of emotional and health concerns.

Katharine currently leads a team of Clinical, Consulting and Health Psychologists at HeadwayHealth providing intervention to those affected by emotional and health concerns, as well as carers, families and loved ones. The team provide research-based interventions based on current best-practice research evidence that supports the effectiveness of interventions that use Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT), mindfulness and other therapeutic techniques.

Katharine is also a regular presenter at patient support groups and educational programs, regularly donating her time to the YPink and Information Series at the Mater Hospital North Sydney, programs through Jacaranda Cancer Support Centre Sydney Adventist Hospital, YMCA’s Encore Breast Cancer Program, and the “Its About Us” Writing as Therapy Course.  She has also contributed to support/educational programs at Ovarian Cancer Australia, the Mater Haematology and Oncology Patient Information program, as a reviewer of the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation “Living with Pancreatic Cancer” book, and invited member of the inaugural Avner Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Advisory Panel (now PanKind).

HeadwayHealth’s clinicians work closely with other members of the health care team to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to supporting your care. The team provide a variety of clinics in Frenchs Forest, Crows Nest, North Sydney and Hornsby.  Katharine has provided a clinic for the Northern Hematology and Oncology Group at Sydney Adventist Hospital Wahroonga for the last 7 years. For more information on services available with NHOG please see www.NHOG.com.au

Katharine has published numerous research papers and has coauthored several book chapters on psychological and spiritual issues in gynecological oncology and cancer survivorship.  She co-edited the book “Psychosocial Care of Cancer Patients. A Health Professional’s Guide to What to Say and Do” (Hodgkinson K and Gilchrist J, Ausmed Publications) in 2008 and recently co-authored chapters on psychosocial concerns and communication skills for health professionals in the 2015 Melanoma Institute Australia’s text: Melanoma Essentials – A Concise Guide.

Katharine’s PhD with the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney identified predictors of distress and unmet supportive care needs in cancer survivors and their partners. The research resulted in the development of two empirically validated measures to assess unmet needs in cancer survivors and their partners (the CaSUN and CaSPUN) which are being in used in various research studies internationally.

HeadwayHealth’s clinicians work closely with other members of the health care team to provide a comprehensive and coordinated approach to supporting your care. The team provide a number of clinics in a range of locations including Frenchs Forest, the Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAH), Wahroonga, as well as tele-health services to those living in rural and remote locations.  Katharine has provided a clinic for the Northern Haematology and Oncology Group at Sydney Adventist Hospital Wahroonga for the last 10 years.

Katharine and her team work are privileged to work with DEBRA Australia to provide psychological support and intervention to those affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). EB is a rare disease whereby the skin can peel and blister at the slightest touch. DEBRA Australia is a not for profit volunteer based organisation that works tirelessly to support those living with Epidermolysis Bullosa www.debra.org.au  It can have a profound impact on the lives of those living with the disease as well as their loved ones. Katharine was an invited speaker at the national DEBRA Conference in Sydney in September 2018.

As Director of HeadwayHealth Services, Katharine has overseen the instigation of advanced training placements for Provisional Psychologists completing a university level Masters in Clinical Psychology qualification.  In 2022 Katharine was also excited to develop the formation of a counselling team to provide additional options for care and support for patients and their loved ones to assist with the growing demand for mental health care services, and has enjoyed learning and working alongside Terri and Heather at the practice.

She is also a regular presenter at patient support groups and educational programs including the Early Breast Cancer information Series at the Mater Hospital, Sydney and programs through Jacaranda Cancer Support Centre Sydney Adventist Hospital, the “Its about us ” Writing as Therapy program and YMCA’s Encore Breast Cancer Program.  In 2016 Katharine was invited by the Australian Psychological Society to present a half-day seminar to colleagues in Adelaide on psychological care in the oncology setting.

Katharine has been a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and Clinical College for over 25 years, and is a member of the APS Psychologists in Oncology Interest Group.

Katharine is an Accredited Specialist with Sydney Adventist Hospital Wahroonga, Mater Hospital, North Sydney and North Shore Private Hospital St Leonards.

Invited Member, MHS Acute Deterioration in Mental Health Working group, Mater Hospital North Sydney 2021. As per the requirements within the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards the Mater Hospital is refining and improving systems for recognising and responding to acute deterioration in mental health.

Invited Member, Clinician Advisory Panel PanKind 2020-present.  The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, is exclusively dedicated to improving outcomes for Australians impacted by pancreatic cancer. https://pankind.org.au

Therapeutic approach: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing.

All of our psychologist are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulations Agency AHPRA (see ahpra.gov.au)