Dr Jessica Kuc is a psychiatrist who has obtained RANZCP Fellowship with Advanced Training focusing on the area of perinatal psychiatry.
Jessica completed her medical degree at Monash University in 2010, and a Masters of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne in 2014. In 2015, Jessica was awarded the RANZCP Block Family Memorial Grant to complete additional training in the parent-infant relationship with the ‘Circle of Security’ program. In 2016 Jessica also trained in ‘Watch, Wait and Wonder’ parent-infant dyadic therapy and presented on this topic to the Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health Australasian Conference in 2017.
Jessica is passionate about providing high quality, caring specialist mental health care to patients at every stage of their journey into parenthood and throughout the preschool years. She particularly enjoys working collaboratively with obstetricians, GPs, psychologists and Maternal & Child Health Nurses.
“The perinatal period is such a special and vulnerable time in a new parent’s life, whether you are a first time parent or welcoming another child to your family. It is a privilege and a joy to come alongside families in my specialist role to support them to manage mental health challenges throughout this time. As a mum of two young children myself I am particularly familiar with the challenges and pressures facing new parents and parents of young children".
After undertaking a comprehensive initial assessment I always work with my patients to develop a plan for their care together that takes into account their own unique situation and preferences.
Some of my particular areas of interest are:
Anxiety and depression in the antenatal or postnatal period, birth trauma, supporting parents of unsettled babies, second-time mothers (or more!) who have struggled with mental health difficulties with previous pregnancies, establishing healthy parent-child relationships, and supporting new mothers with a past history of childhood trauma.
After undertaking a comprehensive initial assessment I always work with my patients to develop a plan for their care that takes into account their own unique situation and preferences. I work with mothers in all stages of pregnancy and early parenthood, including preconception counselling and throughout the preschool years.”