Jessica Bell

What is your background?

I am incredibly passionate about early intervention and love supporting children and their families!

I have worked with people across the lifespan in a variety of contexts, including inpatient hospital settings, schools, and university clinics, delivering both group therapy and individual intervention and assessment. Psychology is my second career, with a prior background in corporate training and development. As such, I bring a unique skillset and perspective, which I draw upon to foster strong therapeutic relationships and achieve positive client outcomes. I am committed to delivering evidence-based, professional, caring, and non-judgmental support (while making therapy engaging and fun!).

Why do you like working with children and their families?

Early intervention for children and their families can have a profound and lasting impact, providing better understanding of a child’s needs, and laying the foundations for strengthened family relationships. For this reason, I love working with families, helping to develop skills and addressing challenges in a way that can contribute to positive change for both a child and their broader support system.

When working with children, I use playful and creative approaches like drawing, games, and storytelling to make therapy interactive, fun and engaging. Each child and family are unique with their own strengths, interests, and skills. It is my job to help identify and leverage these, whilst providing support around areas of difficulty. As such, I adopt a strengths-based approach, and customise treatment to meet each client’s unique needs, integrating techniques from Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).

What are your strengths?

I strive to ensure my approach to therapy is collaborative, client-centred, adaptable, and creative, underpinned by a desire to contribute to meaningful change in clients’ lives. It is my hope that I bring energy and versatility when working with children and families, creating a comfortable and warm therapeutic space. My approach to therapy is holistic, understanding each child within the context of their environment and collaborating closely with families and other professionals to create tailored strategies that align with client goals. With empathy, patience, strong problem-solving skills, (and humour!), I endeavour to empower children and advocate for their individual needs, helping them recognise their strengths and navigate challenges with confidence. I pride myself on creating a safe, engaging, and nurturing space that allows children to reach their full potential.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Most of all, I love spending quality time with my family and friends, as well as my very-senior Shih-tzu x Chihuahua. In terms of hobbies, I love travelling, learning, reading, and completing impossibly difficult puzzles. I also enjoy starting (and eventually finishing) home renovation projects, walking around the Brisbane River (with my husband and a coffee), and exercising regularly (once-upon-a-time I was a marathon runner).