ABOUT Katharine

Dr. Katharine Hodgkinson has over 25 years of experience in client care, research, and education, and she has provided services with the Northern Haematology and Oncology Group (NHOG) for the last 15 years. Katharine is passionate about improving the wellbeing of those touched by cancer across every stage of their care, whether you are undergoing treatment yourself or supporting a loved one.

Katharine values the understanding of common challenges she has gained from her patients over the years to help her tailor psychological interventions for supporting adjustment and enhancing each individual’s quality of life. Research-based interventions provided are based on current best-practice research evidence which supports the effectiveness of treatments derived from Cognitive Behaviour Therapies (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, and a range of other therapeutic techniques. Strategies involve non-drug treatments and are goal-focused and spaced according to your needs. Interventions may assist with managing a range of concerns such as:

• Coping with treatment and enhancing your quality of life
• Adjusting to changes to health, lifestyle, survivorship and living well after cancer
• Stress, anxiety and navigating scans and future uncertainty
• Low mood, depression, pain, fatigue and sleep disturbance
• Communicating with others (including children in our lives)
• Navigating relationships and enhancing intimacy
• Familial cancer and decision-making
• Living with change, loss and grief

Katharine has a strong interest in supporting all members of the multidisciplinary team to help care for each patient’s emotional wellbeing.  Katharine is actively involved in educational activities for both patients and health professionals across a number of hospitals and organisations, and has a special interest in addressing intimacy concerns. Katharine has published numerous research papers, 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, 2008), and co-authored chapters on psychosocial concerns and communication skills with Prof Fran Boyle in Melanoma Essentials – A Concise Guide. (Melanoni Institute Australia). Her PhD research identified predictors of distress and unmet supportive care needs in cancer survivors and their partners, leading to the development of assessment tools that have been translated and used in studies around the world.

Katharine is a Medicare Provider, registered with APHRA, a full member of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society; she has hospital accreditation with the Sydney Adventist Hospital Wahroonga and the Mater Hospital North Sydney.

In addition to Katharine’s work with NHOG, she leads a team of psychologists who all have a strong interest in cancer, POTS and other health concerns at HeadwayHealth Services. Services at the SAH are also provided by Pallavi Pillay at the Cancer Care Centre and Jennifer Jones at ICON. HeadwayHealth’s team also offers clinics at GenesisCare St. Leonards, the Centre for Wellbeing Mater Hospital North Sydney, Frenchs Forest, and via telehealth.

To find out more about how our Clinical Psychology services may be able to assist you, please speak to your care team at NHOG or contact us directly on (02) 9453 3027, email info@headwayhealth.com.au, or visit our website.