Dr. Jillian Horton

Welcome to my web page. I would like to tell you something about my training and experience in psychotherapy, and the sort of work I like to do.

My Training

I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology at Curtin University WA in 1980 and then, being fond of travel, did an Honours Degree in Psychology at the Flinders University in South Australia in 1981. After four years of study I was needing a break so I moved to Tasmania for two years and worked with homeless youth in several youth refuges in Hobart. This was quite intensive and challenging work and the experience of working with some very troubled young people gave me some early insight into the difficulties young people can face when things go very wrong at home. In 1984 I returned to my studies at the University of Western Australia and completed a Masters in Clinical Psychology in 1986. In 1990 I completed a two year training program in Clinical Hypnosis in Sydney, at the NSW branch of the Australian Society of Hypnosis.

Further studies occurred in 1992 when I moved to Munich, Germany and took up a German Government research grant to do my Ph.D. My Ph.D. was done at the Institute of Medical Psychology in the Ludwig-Maximilian University over a four year period and was in the field of Psycho-neuro-immunology. My research examined the effects of Clinical Hypnosis on the physical, psychological and immunological parameters of people who had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I also completed a post-doctoral study in Munich with this same focus, but with patients who had Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis (SLE). Needless to say, a strong part of my time in Munich was also learning the language and passing language exams! I was fortunate to attend numerous conferences throughout Europe and was able to attract a number of very competitive research grants.

On returning to Perth in 1998, I was planning to continue my research into these interesting mind-body connections, but decided to change paths and focus more on psychotherapy practice. This also fitted with my family commitments best.

Psychotherapy Experience

Working two years with homeless youth in Tasmania was a launching pad to gaining first hand experience about how relationships in families can go very wrong. This created an interest in child and family therapy, reflecting my first position in 1986 as a Clinical Psychologist in Tamworth NSW. I worked at the Tamworth Base Hospital ’s Community Health Centre for nearly three years in the Child and Family Health Team and after the first year there, became the Team Leader of this professional team. My psychotherapy and assessment work was with individual children, adolescents and adults, plus running many educational and therapy groups on parenting, children’s adjustment to parental separation and divorce, specific childhood disorders such as bed wetting and behavioural problems. I was additionally very involved in community development programs, anti-natal programs and staff development.

In 1988 I took a position in Liaison Psychiatry at the Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney . This involved working with adult patients on the medical and surgical wards of the hospital and I became very interested in the interface between medical conditions and psychological well-being, leading to the Hypnotherapy course. I spent considerable time working with staff and patients in the spinal and AIDS units, and the general surgical wards, plus providing an outpatient psychotherapy service to adult patients. I worked in this field for nearly three years until I moved to Germany .

My time in Germany mostly focused on my Ph.D. but for the first two years I also worked part-time as a Research Psychologist in a private Medical Psychology research company associated with the Ludwig-Maximilian University . I also maintained a small private psychotherapy practice working with adults and children.

I returned with my family to Perth in November 1997. Since this time I have worked in a variety of places undertaking psychotherapy with children, adolescents and adults. These positions have included the Primary Care Mental Health Unit in Fremantle, at Curtin University Counselling Service, Murdoch University Counselling service, and in the Department of Psychiatry at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital .

I started working part-time in my private practice in Fremantle in 2001 and have been working in full-time private practice in Fremantle since 2006. In 2008 the Fremantle Clinical Psychology practice was formalised and we now have four Principal Psychology Specialists and others working in this very busy practice.

Clients I work with and therapies I frequently use

I currently work with children (mostly below the age of 14 years), and their families, plus with adults in individual and couple therapy.

Child centred work

The problem areas I commonly treat are emotional and behavioural problems in children including ADHD, bed wetting and soiling, adjustment to parental separation and divorce, difficult behaviours at home and school, self-esteem problems, dealing with bullying, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety and depression.

Adult centred work

Depression, anxiety and sleeping problems are the most common issues bringing people in for psychotherapy treatment. These common problems can be based in relationship issues (past and/or present), grief and loss issues, post-traumatic stress and other stress related problems. I also have an ongoing focus in working psychotherapeutically with people who have medical conditions such as dermatitis, arthritis, lupus and asthma.

Developing the psychological well-being with my clients is central to my work, giving them a safe and confidential space to explore their concerns and develop insights and ways to move through their difficulties. I use a range of psychological therapies and approaches to assist individuals and couples. Cognitive and Behavioural therapy, Mindfulness therapy, Hypnotherapy and imagery work, Relaxation Therapy, and Play Therapy drive the main style of my work.

Supervision

I also provide professional supervision to Clinical Psychology registrars and other fully registered Clinical Psychologists. Here my aim is to join with my colleague in developing their awareness, insight and skill base for their work with their clients.

If you would like to make an appointment with me please ring our reception on Telephone: 94336002. If you are wanting to make a referral to me, please see the Referral tab at the top of this website or ring our reception on the number above.

Please call FPC Reception for enquiries and appointments on (08) 9433 6002

Professional Work

I am currently the president of the Australian College of Specialist Psychologists, and am very active in promoting psychological services with government and other decision makers. I was also president of the WA Institute of Clinical Psychologists for three years from 2008 - 2011.