Meet Dr. Jillian Horton B.A.(Hons), M.Psych. (Clinical), Ph.D., Dip. Hyp.
1. My Family Background
I was born and raised in WA and went to public primary and high schools in Kalamunda.
I have two sisters and one brother, two run businesses and one is a nurse in the aged care sector.
I have been a single mum to my two wonderful sons who are now young adults studying at university and they are quite independent.
My parents are both deceased, but my father was a business man working with farmers all across WA and my mother was a trained nurse.
2. My Professional Background
I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, requiring six years of university study and two years of professional supervision.
I completed a Ph.D. in Medical Psychology in 1997, while living and working in Munich, Germany for seven years.
I have worked for nearly 30 years as a Clinical Psychologist and researcher in mental health. I feel privileged to have been entrusted with the personal details of thousands of people's lives and I have been dedicated in my work to assist in every way possible. I still work with young children, adolescents and adults and I am passionate about what I do.
Over my long professional career I have gained extensive understanding of many issues from working in many different settings, such as homeless youth refuges, hospitals, community organisations, university counselling services, and for the last 10 years in private practice.
I don't need a government report to tell me what leads to mental health stress. I have the voices and personal stories of thousands of people who have directly informed me.
3. Political activity to date I have always been active in representing people at many points in my life.
At university I was the Vice President of the psychology student association.
I was called as an expert witness for the federal enquiry into mental health in 2005 and I argued for Medicare rebates to support for people with mental health needs.
I was the President of the private practice Clinical Psychology Association in WA for two years.
I have been the President of the Australian College of Advanced Postgraduate Psychologists for the last eight years.
I led a large political campaign in WA for psychologists when WA was entering the Australian Health Regulation Agency, and WA psychologists were going to have to align with the lower registration standards found in the Eastern States.
I have met with many Federal and State politicians regarding matters of concern in the mental health field.
I have written many reports, documents and submissions to mental health enquiries focusing on ways to get better access and services for people who need mental health care.
I am fed up with the political parties and their lack of will to make real changes in many areas of great concern to the public. So I am now running as an Independent for the electorate of Tangney in the Federal election. I want to bring my significant knowledge and experience into the parliament arena and make a positive contribution towards practical solutions in many areas that we so desperately need.
Authorised by Dr Jillian Horton 213a South Street, Beaconsfield, WA 6162