Fields of Research (FoR)
Health, Clinical and Counselling PsychologyBiography
Jane Kohlhoff is an Associate Professor in the UNSW School of Psychiatry, and Karitane Director of Research. She currently holds a Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellowship. 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...view more
Jane Kohlhoff is an Associate Professor in the UNSW School of Psychiatry, and Karitane Director of Research. She currently holds a Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellowship. 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.
My Grants
2024 J. Kohlhoff. University of New South Wales School of Clinical Medicine, ‘Gold Star Award’
2024 J. Kohlhoff, V, Eapen, N. Reilly, K. Lawson, J. John, S. Cibralic, D. Fox, C. Lam-Cassetari. Joining the Dots: A new model of continuity of perinatal mental health care for the “missing middle”. SPHERE seed funding grant scheme 2024 (investigator-initiated partnership grant).
2024 J. Kohlhoff. Paul Ramsey Foundation Fellowship
2024 V. Eapen, …. J Kohlhoff… et al. Kids Connect Integrated Hybrid program. Translational Research Grants Scheme (TRGS) Round 7
2023 L. Bratel, J. Kohlhoff. PCIT-Toddler videos for families from Vietnamese and Arabic backgrounds project. Australian Chinese Charity Foundation & ELDoH Seed Funding
2023 V. Eapen, K., Doyle, R. Grace, Woolfenden, S., I. Katz, J. Kohlhoff, P. Reeves, K. Boydell, S. Raman, L. Kemp, National Health & Medical Research Council/Centres of Research Excellence. Application: 2024782 and Title: Centre of Research Excellence in supporting child and family health for priority populations: Addressing inequity and supporting positive life trajectories through strengths-based tiered access and resources (STAR-CRE).
2023 J. Kohlhoff, R. Richardson, E. Kimonis, A. Johns, A. Roth, S. Morgan, A. Kaanan. Oxytocin receptor genes as predictors of toddler social-emotional and behavioural issues, and moderators of treatment response to an early parenting intervention. UNSW Medicine & Health Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme.
2022 S. Woolfenden, J. Kohlhoff, Doyle, K., Kemp, L., Eapen, V., Goldfield, S., Dadich, A., Schmied, V., Dakin, P., Katsamangos, B., Brennan, C., Goodhue, R., O’Loughlin, G. Integrated Kids Hubs - Ensuring Equity of Access for Children. ARC Linkage Grant.
2022 E. Kimonis, J. Kohlhoff, Walsh, B., S. Websdale. Testing the transportability of a new approach to addressing disruptive, anti-social, and unsafe student behaviour at school. UNSW Science Industry Network Seed Fund.
2022 Eapen, V., Woolfenden, S., Silva, D., Finlay-Jones, A., Schmied, V., Dadich, A., Lingham, R., Kohlhoff, J., Lin, D., Katz, I., Lawson, K., Page, A., Downs, J., Ramen, S., Walker, A. Using technological innovations to provide equitable access to early identification of child developmental needs and integrated health and social care using a blended service delivery framework. 2021 MRFF Chronic Neurological Conditions Grant.
2021 J. Kohlhoff, V. Eapen. “An innovative online parenting program to mitigate the risk of mental health issues in toddlers exposed to early life adversity.” Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research Mental Health Research Grant, 2022
2021 V. Eapen, A. Diaz, D. Hui. J. Kohlhoff, Winata, T., S. Cibralic, C. Lam-Cassettari, A. Masi, S. Woolfenden, S. Wang, CHICOS: Coordinated Health Integration for Children with a disability via an Online platform. Frontiers Technology Clinical Academic Group Seed Funding, 2021-2022
2021 K. Willcocks, J. Kohlhoff, B. Doran, A., Dadich. Emotional connection and contagion: Evaluation of an arts-based and biofeedback professional development program for child and family health nurses and midwives. SPHERE Knowledge Translation CAG Seed Grant.
2021 Karitane, UNSW Sydney, Parenting Research Centre (J. Kohlhoff: UNSW Sydney lead). National Perinatal Infant Mental Health – Connect and Care Program by the Australian Association of Parenting & Child Health (AAPCH). Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing Program - Emerging Priorities Australian Government, Department of Health Grant.
2021 V. Eapen, S. Woolfenden, V. Schmied, B. Jalaludin, K.Lawson, S. Liaw, R. Lingham, A. Page, J. Kohlhoff, A. Mendoza Diaz, J. Burley, K. Boydell, D. Lin, A. Masi, I. Katz, A. Dadich, J. Preddy, S. Raman, J. Descallar, C. Kaplun, A. Arora, K. Doyle, R. Grace. COVID-19 Research Grant. NSW Health.
2021 T. Rimes, S. Woolfenden (J. Kohlhoff: Research and implementation partner). First 2000 Days Care Connect (FDCC) – a holistic first 2000 days model of care for migrant and refugee populations. NSW Health Translational Research Grant Scheme (TRGS).
2019 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. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Project (2019-2023).
2019 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).
2018 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 (2019-2023).
2018 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 (2018).
2017 J. Kohlhoff. Internet Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. NSW Department of Health Mental Health Innovation Fund grant. (2017-2018)
2017 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 (2017-2018).
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 (2017-2018)
2017 J. Kohlhoff and S. Woolfenden. Evaluation of an innovative childhood developmental surveillance program in primary health care and community based early learning settings. Early Life Determinants of Health (ELDoH) SPHERE seed funding ($50,000, 2017-2018).
2017 J. Kohlhoff. The neurobiology of parenting and Disruptive Behaviour Disorder subtypes in early childhood. Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE170100413; 2017-2019).
2017 J. Kohlhoff. The 'Watch Me Grow’ App for identification of developmental and mental health problems in early childhood: a validation study. 2016 Ramaciotti Health Investment Grant (HIG2016/063; 2017-2019)
2017 J. Kohlhoff. The 'Watch Me Grow’ App for identification of developmental and mental health problems in early childhood: a validation study. Co-contribution from UNSW (RG163004, 2017-2019)
2017 J. Kohlhoff. The 'Watch Me Grow’ App for identification of developmental and mental health problems in early childhood: a validation study. Co-contribution from Karitane (RG163003, 2017-2019)
2016 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)
2016 J. Kohlhoff. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Toddlers. Liverpool Catholic Club Grant.
2016 V.Eapen, M.Dadds, D.Silove, B.Barnett, J.Kohlhoff. The role of oxytocin in attachment patterns and socio-emotional development. ARC Linkage grant LP160100249. (2016-2018)
2016 J. Kohlhoff. South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD). Early Career Researchers Program, Research Support Grant (2016-2018)
2011 V. Eapen, D. Silove, B. Barnett, M. Dadds, J. Kohlhoff, T. Trapolini. Separation anxiety in pregnancy: Associations with oxytocins release, attachment styles and mother-infant interactions. ARC Linkage grant (2011-2013)
2010 J. Kohlhoff, B. Barnett. Maternal separation anxiety, mother-infant interaction patterns and infant behavioural disturbance. Karitane Board of Directors research grant (2010-2011)
2007 J. Kohlhoff. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Public Health Postgraduate Scholarship (2007-2009).
My Qualifications
B.A. (hons), D. Clin.Psych., Ph.D.
My Awards
2024 -Paul Ramsay Fellowship
2024 - University of New South Wales School of Clinical Medicine, ‘Gold Star Award’
2024 - Women's Health Research, Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN) Emerging Leader Fellowship Program 2024 scholarship
2022 - UNSW School of Clinical Medicine ‘Heroes’ award
2021 - UNSW SWS School of Clinical Medicine 'best clinical paper' award
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
- Sa Ma (UNSW, PhD, primary supervisor), Examining the Intergenerational Transmission of Attachment through Maternal Self-Regulation and Parenting Differences across Cultures.
- Vivan Chau (UNSW, PhD, primary supervisor), Topic: The role of infant attachment patterns, parental sensitivity, and parental mentalization in the development of callous-unemotional traits in very young children.
- Praveena Rajeswaran (UNSW, PhD, primary supervisor), Topic: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for attachment and parenting: An early intervention approach to shift attachment categorisation and strengthen parental mentalisation and sensitivity
- Angelique Roth (UNSW, PhD, primary joint supervisor), Topic: Developing Solid Foundations: Examining Early Childhood Influences on Future Psychopathology and Evaluating Group-Based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Toddlers.
- Brittnee-Jade Byron (Griffith University, PhD, secondary supervisor), Topic: Outcome evaluation for attachment-based interventions with parents of children 0-6 years: Psychometric validation of the Composite Caregiving Questionnaire
My Engagement
Newspaper articles
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- https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/rural-families-gain-access-childhood-behavioural-support
- https://www.sbs.com.au/news/rural-families-get-vital-parenting-help
- https://www.miragenews.com/rural-families-gain-access-to-crucial-parenting-support/
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-5734451/Rural-families-vital-parenting-help.html
- https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5405087/rural-families-get-vital-parenting-help/?cs=7
- http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/rural-families-get-vital-parenting-help/news-story/d9d640bb92004be152df88e265fcc59a
Radio Interviews
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- 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