Jodie Anagnos

Get to know Jodie Anagnos

From Jodie Anagnos's website.

• Our approach

  The Westmead Feelings programme is an evidence-based social skills intervention delivered through a fun, multi-modal approach. Sessions address understanding and communicating about feelings, recognising body signs related to emotions, understanding others' feelings, emotional problem-solving, and strategies to manage difficult feelings. The programme is conducted in three weekly blocks of 5 child sessions, 1 parent session, and 1 teacher session (where school participates), typically following school terms. Sessions can be delivered in small groups of 3-4 children, one-to-one, or in your child's home or school environment, with a strong focus on ensuring strategies are applied meaningfully in real-life settings like family and school.

• Working with families

  Parents are actively involved throughout the programme, with one dedicated parent session included in each three-week block. School involvement is also encouraged where appropriate, with teacher sessions offered as part of the intervention. Open communication is emphasised, with families encouraged to contact Jodie by phone or email to discuss their child's needs in detail and find the right fit for their family. The provider is committed to ensuring strategies and skills introduced during treatment are applied meaningfully in real-life family and school settings.

• Meet the team

  The team consists of Jodie Anagnos, a registered psychologist, along with other psychologists specialising in children. All team members are experienced clinical or registered psychologists with a minimum of six years or substantially more experience, and use evidence-based programmes to support children and families. Jodie is passionate about treating anxious children and is a PhD candidate conducting research on fear learning styles in anxious children and optimal maternal communication styles that promote resilience.

• Your first visit

  An initial assessment is conducted with both parent and child to determine the most suitable intervention—either group or one-to-one. During this assessment, all prior assessments and diagnoses are reviewed, and communication or observation with the child's school may be undertaken where appropriate. All information sources are considered to identify the child's primary presenting issues and current needs. If other factors are identified as needing attention before starting the social skills programme (such as anxiety or low mood), appropriate recommendations will be made at this stage.