Researcher

Associate Professor Jane Rachael Kohlhoff

Fields of Research (FoR)

Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology

Biography

Jane Kohlhoff is an Associate Professor in the UNSW School of Psychiatry, Karitane Research Fellow, and Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) Fellow. With research and clinical interest in perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health, her work focuses on the development, evaluation and implementation of early interventions for children and families, and investigation of the roles of attachment, early...view more

Jane Kohlhoff is an Associate Professor in the UNSW School of Psychiatry, Karitane Research Fellow, and Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) Fellow. With research and clinical interest in perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health, her work focuses on the development, evaluation and implementation of early interventions for children and families, and investigation of the roles of attachment, early environmental and biological factors in the intergenerational transmission of parenting and psychological outcomes for children. A/Prof Kohlhoff has worked with international colleagues to develop and evaluate a new attachment-based parenting program for young children (12-24 months) presenting with disruptive behaviours called 'Parent-Child Interaction Therapy-Toddler' and she has led a number of real world trials to evaluate its effectiveness. Additional recent work includes a pilot study evaluating a web-based app to facilitate developmental surveillance for young children attending GP clinics and a NSW Health funded pilot of 'Parent-Child Interaction Therapy' delivered via the internet to families with young children living in rural and remote NSW.


My Grants

 

V. Eapen, S.Liaw, M. Pritchard, R. Lingham, S. Woolfenden, B. Jalaludin, A. Page, J. Kohlhoff, J. Scott, K. Lawson. “Watch Me Grow”: Changing practice to improve Universal Child Health and Developmental Surveillance in the primary care setting. NHMRC Partnership Project (2019-2023).

S. Tooke, J. Kohlhoff. The ‘Pre-admission Midwife Appointment Program’ at the Mater: A qualitative investigation of consumer satisfaction and impact. Friends of the Mater Foundation grant (2019-2020).

V. Eapen, R. Lingam, J. Whitehall, S. Raman, L. Kemp, A. George, A. Page, B. Jalaludi, S. Teng-Liaw, S. Woolfenden, J. Kohlhoff, E. De Leeuw, J. Baker. System Transformation and Research Translation – South Western Sydney (BestSTART-SW). South Western Sydney Local Health District Academic Unit. Enhancement of an Academic Unit (2018-2022).

C. Lam-Cassetari, J. Kohlhoff. The impact of postnatal depression on infant-directed speech and early language outcomes. The MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development Research Partner Incentive Program.

J. Kohlhoff. Internet Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. NSW Department of Health Mental Health Innovation Fund grant (2017-2018).

L. Kemp, C. Kaplun, J. Kohlhoff, V. Blight. K. Varelis, S. Eagar. Sustained Health Home Visiting for Families with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds with low English Proficiency (LEP): determining the efficacy of program delivery using interpreters or in-language community support. South West Sydney Research Small Grant Scheme (2016-2017).

J. Baker, J. Kohlhoff, V. Eapen, A. George, A. Arora, A. Al-Shammari. Starting School Well: Optimising Refugee Children’s Health in Preparation of this Key Transition. South West Sydney Research Small Grant Scheme (2016-2017).

J. Kohlhoff. Internet Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. NSW Department of Health Mental Health Innovation Fund grant. (2017-2018)

J. Kohlhoff. The neurobiology of parenting and Disruptive Behaviour Disorder subtypes in early childhood. Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (ARC DECRA) (2017- 2019).

J. Kohlhoff. The 'Watch Me Grow’ App for identification of developmental and mental health problems in early childhood: a validation study. Ramaciotti Health Investment Grant (2017-2019).

C. Lam-Cassettari; J. Kohlhoff. Identifying deleterious effects of maternal depression on communication with 6-month old infants in South West Sydney. South West Sydney Research Small Grant Scheme (2016-2017).

J. Kohlhoff. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Toddlers. Liverpool Catholic Club Grant (2016-2017).

 V.Eapen, M.Dadds, D.Silove, B.Barnett, J.Kohlhoff. The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. ARC Linkage grant (2016-2019).

J. Kohlhoff. South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). Early Career Researchers Program, Research Support Grant (2016-2018).

V. Eapen, D. Silove, B. Barnett, M. Dadds, T. Trapolini, J. Kohlhoff. Separation anxiety in pregnancy: Associations with oxytocins release, attachment styles and mother-infant interactions. ARC Linkage grant (2011-2013)


My Qualifications

B.A. (hons), D. Clin.Psych., Ph.D.


My Awards

2019 - Highly Commended, 2019 Australian Council on Healthcare Standards Quality Initiative Awards (category: Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety)

2018 - Winner, South Western Sydney Local Health District Quality Awards (category: Health Research and Innovation)

2017 -  Ingham Institute Early Career Researcher Award

2017 - Society for Emotion and Attachment Studies (SEAS) Early Career Researcher Bursary

2015 - Highly Commended, South Western Sydney Local Health District Quality Awards (category: Translational Research) 

2012 - Best Poster Award, PCIT International Conference, Gainesville, Florida, USA

2011 - Certificate of Merit, Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award

2010 - Best Poster Award, Macquarie University Early Child and Childhoods Symposium Conference

2010 - Publication Award, School of Psychology, University of Sydney

2006 - Best Presentation Award, School of Psychology Conference, University of Sydney

2005 - Australian Healthcare Association (AHA) Baxter Healthcare National Innovation Award (category: Consumer Involvement) 


My Research Supervision


Areas of supervision

 

  • Perinatal, infant and early childhood mental health
  • Attachment-based interventions
  • Parenting
  • Early childhood behavioural disorders and interventions
  • Attachment theory and clinical applications

 

 


Currently supervising

 

  • S.Cibralic (UNSW, PhD; Primary Supervisor), Topic: ‘The impact of PCIT-T on parental emotion regulation, reflective functioning, and understanding of the role of emotions in parenting and toddler behaviour’
  • M.Kenny (UNSW, PhD; Co-Supervisor), Topic: ‘Evaluating the effectiveness of a trauma informed parenting intervention for Indigenous parents’ mental health and attachment quality’

My Engagement

Newspaper articles

Radio Interviews

    • 17.5.18 - ABC NSW Statewide Drive
    • 17.5.18 - ABC Broken Hill
    • 22.5.18 - ABC Illawarra
    • 23.5.18 - 2VM radio in Moree
    • 18.6.18 - ABC Radio National ‘Life Matters’ program
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Location

Karitane
P.O. Box 241
Villawood NSW 2163