Dr Jacqui Kemmis-Riggs

BA (Hons), M Clin Psych, PhD

Hi, I’m Jacqui, a Clinical Psychologist, Psychology Board of Australia Approved Supervisor and Accredited EMDR Therapist. I work with both adults and children. Whether you're here for yourself or seeking support for your child, I’m really glad you’re here.

I help adults who are navigating anxiety, trauma, self-doubt, burnout, or the lingering impact of childhood experiences. Many of my clients are deeply caring, capable people—parents, professionals, creatives—who are tired of being hard on themselves and ready to do the inner work. You might be the one who keeps everything together for everyone else, but lately it’s feeling like too much. Therapy can be a powerful way to reconnect with yourself and shift the patterns that no longer serve you.

I also work with children who are struggling with big feelings, anxiety, low confidence, or difficult life changes. My approach with kids is gentle, playful, and grounded in a deep respect for their unique ways of seeing the world. I work closely with parents and caregivers, so together we can support your child to grow in confidence and resilience.

Outside of therapy, I value creativity, connection, and movement—and I understand the very real challenges of balancing self-care with everyday life. I bring that understanding into my work, creating a space where you (or your child) can feel safe, seen, and supported.

Treatment Approaches

My style is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. I use a range of evidence-based approaches - always tailored to fit the person in front of me:

  • Schema Therapy

  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) - EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner

  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

  • Attachment and family systems frameworks

Supervision

I am a board-approved supervisor with AHPRA and offer clinical supervision for:

  • Early-career psychologists and clinical psychology registrars

  • Those interested in integrating evidence-based approaches with a relational, person-centred style

Supervision sessions are warm, reflective, and tailored to your learning goals. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Qualifications

Bachelor Arts (Psychology), University of New England

Bachelor Arts (Honours) in Psychology, University of Sydney

Master of Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney

PhD Clinical Psychology, University of Technology Sydney

Awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Scholar Award from the University of New England and recognised on the Dean’s Higher Degree Research List for outstanding PhD Thesis 2021

Professional Memberships

Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)

Member of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (MACPA)

Full Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)

Registration number with the national governing body (AHPRA) is PSY0001965880

Research and Teaching

I’m naturally curious and love understanding what makes people tick—it’s part of what drew me to psychology in the first place. Alongside raising a family, I completed a PhD focused on complex trauma and attachment, which deepened my understanding of how early relationships shape us. This led to my involvement in a trauma-informed parenting program for young families, supporting stronger bonds between parents and children during tough times. I also enjoy teaching at the University of Technology Sydney, sharing knowledge that continues to shape my clinical work.

You can find my research contributions here:

Publications