Overview
Background
Dr Koa Whittingham is a clinical and educational/developmental psychologist with research interests across parenting, neurodevelopmental disabilities and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Koa began her career building key empirical support for the flagship UQ program Stepping Stones Triple P for specific neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism, acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy. She has since developed an international reputation as a leader in developing and testing novel acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) interventions to support parents, including using online/telehealth formats. Her contributions to the field of ACT-based parenting intervention were recognised by her election as a Fellow to the Assocaition for Contextual Beahvioural Science in 2023. Koa has a strong track record with over 100 papers and 6 book chapters and currently leads an MRFF testing her online intervention Parenting Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) with 300 families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities or developmental delay. She has written a self-help book for the transition to motherhood, Becoming Mum, as well as the first clinical manual on applying ACT to parenting support, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy the Clinician's Guide for Supporting Parents.
Availability
- Dr Koa Whittingham is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Particularly applied to supporting parents or parenting including parents of children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability and during the perinatal period.
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Mindfulness
Particularly applied to supporting parents or parenting including parents of children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability and during the perinatal period.
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Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Interested in neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism and cerebral palsy and increased likelihood of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Particularly interested in the influence of parents and parenting, and supporting the family, but also in child wellbeing and school readiness.
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Parenting
Parenting and parenting intervention, including for parents of children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disabilities and during the perinatal period.
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Autism
Particularly interested in the influence of parents and parenting, and supporting the family, but also in child wellbeing and school readiness.
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Cerebral Palsy
Particularly interested in the influence of parents and parenting, and supporting the family, but also in child wellbeing and school readiness.
Research impacts
Dr Koa Whittingham played a key role in establishing the efficacy of Stepping Stones Triple P for specific neurodevelopmental disabilities including autism, acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy. She is a leader in the field of developing and testing parenting support grounded in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and was the lead author of the first RCT to directly rest the impact of ACT on parenting. She is the first author of the only clinical manual on using ACT with parents, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy the Clinician’s Guide for Supporting Parents, as well as an author of a self-help book for the transition to motherhood, Becoming Mum. Koa's work has been cited in policy documents including by WHO, the US CDC and UK NICE networks and, via national and international collaborations with PACT incorporated into clinical trials in Hong Kong with Prof Connie Chong, in Italy with Prof Andrea Guzzetta, and in Georgia, Sri Lanka and Australian Aboriginal communities as part of the LEAP Program.
Works
Search Professor Koa Whittingham’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Journal Article
PREMM: preterm early massage by the mother: protocol of a randomised controlled trial of massage therapy in very preterm infants
Lai, Melissa M., D'Acunto, Giulia, Guzzetta, Andrea, Boyd, Roslyn N., Rose, Stephen E., Fripp, Jurgen, Finnigan, Simon, Ngenda, Naoni, Love, Penny, Whittingham, Koa, Pannek, Kerstin, Ware, Robert S. and Colditz, Paul B. (2016). PREMM: preterm early massage by the mother: protocol of a randomised controlled trial of massage therapy in very preterm infants. BMC Pediatrics, 16 (146) 146, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12887-016-0678-7
2016
Journal Article
Erratum: Parenting intervention combined with acceptance and commitment therapy: A trial with families of children with cerebral palsy (Journal of Pediatric Psychology (2016) 41 (531-542) DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv118)
Whittingham, K., Sanders, M., McKinlay, L. and Boyd, R. N. (2016). Erratum: Parenting intervention combined with acceptance and commitment therapy: A trial with families of children with cerebral palsy (Journal of Pediatric Psychology (2016) 41 (531-542) DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv118). Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 45 (7). doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsw069
2016
Journal Article
Does early communication mediate the relationship between motor ability and social function in children with cerebral palsy?
Lipscombe, Belinda, Boyd, Roslyn N., Coleman, Andrea, Fahey, Michael, Rawicki, Barry and Whittingham, Koa (2016). Does early communication mediate the relationship between motor ability and social function in children with cerebral palsy?. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 53-54, 279-286. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.02.013
2016
Book Chapter
"Possums": building contextual behavioural science into an innovative evidence-based approach to parenting support in early life
Whittingham, K. and Douglas, P. (2016). "Possums": building contextual behavioural science into an innovative evidence-based approach to parenting support in early life. Psychotherapy in parenthood and beyond: personal enrichment in our lives. (pp. 43-56) edited by Bruce Kirkcaldy. Turin, Italy: Edizioni Minerva Medica.
2016
Conference Publication
Parent-child interactions and cerebral palsy: an exploratory study
Barfoot, J., Meredith, P., Ziviani, J. and Whittingham, K. (2016). Parent-child interactions and cerebral palsy: an exploratory study. 2016 IASSIDD World Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 14-19 August 2016. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: WILEY-BLACKWELL.
2016
Book Chapter
Mindfulness and transformative parenting
Whittingham, Koa (2016). Mindfulness and transformative parenting. Mindfulness and Buddhist-derived approaches in mental health and addiction. (pp. 363-390) edited by Edo Shonin, William Van Gordon and Mark D. Griffiths. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-22255-4_18
2016
Journal Article
Randomized controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal therapy program for executive functioning in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
Piovesana, Adina M., Ross, Stephanie, Lloyd, Owen, Whittingham, Koa, Ziviani, Jenny, Ware, Robert S. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2016). Randomized controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal therapy program for executive functioning in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (20), 1-8. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1213899
2016
Book Chapter
A contextual behavioral science approach to parenting intervention and research
Jones, Laura Backen, Whittingham, Koa, Coyne, Lisa and Lightcap, April (2016). A contextual behavioral science approach to parenting intervention and research. The Wiley handbook of contextual behavioral science. (pp. 398-421) edited by Robert D. Zettle , Steven C. Hayes , Dermot Barnes‐Holmes and Anthony Biglan. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118489857.ch20
2015
Journal Article
Parenting intervention combined with acceptance and commitment therapy: a trial with families of children with cerebral palsy
Whittingham, Koa, Sanders, Matthew R., McKinlay, Lynne and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2015). Parenting intervention combined with acceptance and commitment therapy: a trial with families of children with cerebral palsy. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 41 (5), 531-542. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv118
2015
Journal Article
Does stepping stones triple p plus acceptance and commitment therapy improve parent, couple, and family adjustment following paediatric acquired brain injury? a randomised controlled trial
Brown, Felicity L., Whittingham, Koa, Boyd, Roslyn N., McKinlay, Lynne and Sofronoff, Kate (2015). Does stepping stones triple p plus acceptance and commitment therapy improve parent, couple, and family adjustment following paediatric acquired brain injury? a randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 73, 58-66. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2015.07.001
2015
Journal Article
Relationship-based parenting to support developmental outcomes for a young child with cerebral palsy: a practice application.
Barfoot, Jacqui, Meredith, Pamela, Ziviani, Jenny and Wittingham, Koa (2015). Relationship-based parenting to support developmental outcomes for a young child with cerebral palsy: a practice application.. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 78 (10), 640-643. doi: 10.1177/0308022615583304
2015
Journal Article
Mitii™ ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal training program for children and adolescents with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Boyd, Roslyn N., Baque, Emmah, Piovesana, Adina, Ross, Stephanie, Ziviani, Jenny, Sakzewski, Leanne, Barber, Lee, Lloyd, Owen, McKinlay, Lynne, Whittingham, Koa, Smith, Anthony C., Rose, Stephen, Fiori, Simona, Cunnington, Ross, Ware, Robert, Lewis, Melinda, Comans, Tracy A. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2015). Mitii™ ABI: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a web-based multi-modal training program for children and adolescents with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). BMC Neurology, 15 (140) 140, 140. doi: 10.1186/s12883-015-0381-6
2015
Journal Article
Parental experiential avoidance as a potential mechanism of change in a parenting intervention for parents of children with pediatric acquired brain injury
Brown, Felicity L., Whittingham, Koa and Sofronoff, Kate (2015). Parental experiential avoidance as a potential mechanism of change in a parenting intervention for parents of children with pediatric acquired brain injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 40 (4), 464-474. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsu109
2015
Journal Article
Connect and shape: a parenting meta-strategy
Whittingham, Koa (2015). Connect and shape: a parenting meta-strategy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 4 (2), 103-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.03.002
2015
Journal Article
Parenting and Prematurity: Understanding Parent Experience and Preferences for Support (vol 23, pg 1050, 2014)
Whittingham, Koa, Boyd, Roslyn N., Sanders, Matthew R. and Colditz, Paul (2015). Parenting and Prematurity: Understanding Parent Experience and Preferences for Support (vol 23, pg 1050, 2014). Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24 (5), 1529-1529. doi: 10.1007/s10826-015-0166-y
2015
Journal Article
Prem Baby Triple P: a randomised controlled trial of enhanced parenting capacity to improve developmental outcomes in preterm infants
Colditz, Paul, Sanders, Matthew R., Boyd, Roslyn, Pritchard, Margo, Gray, Peter, O'Callaghan, Michael J., Slaughter, Virginia, Whittingham, Koa, O'Rourke, Peter, Winter, Leanne, Evans, Tracey, Herd, Michael, Ahern, Jessica and Jardine, Luke (2015). Prem Baby Triple P: a randomised controlled trial of enhanced parenting capacity to improve developmental outcomes in preterm infants. BMC Pediatrics, 15 (1) 15, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12887-015-0331-x
2015
Journal Article
RESPONSE TO 'SLEEPING LIKE A BABY? INFANT SLEEP: IMPACT ON CARE GIVERS AND CURRENT CONTROVERSIES'
Douglas, Pamela and Whittingham, Koa (2015). RESPONSE TO 'SLEEPING LIKE A BABY? INFANT SLEEP: IMPACT ON CARE GIVERS AND CURRENT CONTROVERSIES'. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 51 (2), 234-234. doi: 10.1111/jpc.12835
2015
Journal Article
Stability of Executive Functioning Measures in 8–17-Year-Old Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Piovesana, Adina M., Ross, Stephanie, Whittingham, Koa, Ware, Robert S. and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2015). Stability of Executive Functioning Measures in 8–17-Year-Old Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29 (1), 133-149. doi: 10.1080/13854046.2014.999125
2015
Journal Article
Erratum: Stepping stones Triple P and acceptance and commitment therapy for parents of children with cerebral palsy: trial protocol
Whittingham, Koa, Sanders, Matthew, McKinlay, Lynne and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2015). Erratum: Stepping stones Triple P and acceptance and commitment therapy for parents of children with cerebral palsy: trial protocol. Brain Impairment, 15 (3), 234-234. doi: 10.1017/BrImp.2014.21
2014
Journal Article
Parents of children with disabilities, mindfulness and acceptance: a review and a call for research
Whittingham, Koa (2014). Parents of children with disabilities, mindfulness and acceptance: a review and a call for research. Mindfulness, 5 (6), 704-709. doi: 10.1007/s12671-013-0224-8
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Koa Whittingham is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
ENACT (ENvironmental enrichment for infants; parenting with ACT): A randomised controlled trial of an innovative intervention for infants at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
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Doctor Philosophy
ENACT (ENvironmental enrichment for infants; parenting with ACT): A randomised controlled trial of an innovative intervention for infants at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
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Doctor Philosophy
AutInsight: Development of a Consumer-Informed Parent Support Program for Parents of Autistic Children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amy Mitchell
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Doctor Philosophy
AutInsight: Development of a Consumer-Informed Parent Support Program for Parents of Autistic Children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amy Mitchell
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes and a Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Cognitive Training Program in School-Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
ENACT (Environmental enrichment for infants, parenting with ACT): An Intervention for infants with an increased chance of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amy Mitchell
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
MiYoga: A Randomised, Waitlist-Controlled Trial of an Embodied Mindfulness Program based on Hatha Yoga Principles for Children with Cerebral Palsy and their Parents
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ross Cunnington, Professor Roslyn Boyd
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A randomised controlled trial to determine the efficacy of Baby Triple P with parents of very preterm infants on regulatory difficulties, child behaviour and parenting style
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Preventing Relationship Difficulties Between a Mother and her Very Preterm Infant: Implementation and Evaluation of Baby Triple P for Parents of a Very Preterm Infant
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A compassion-focused approach to enhance women's psychological adjustment to motherhood
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Early childhood interventions for children with developmental delays, including cerebral palsy: Adopting a relationship focus
Associate Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Supporting parents after paediatric acquired brain injury: Evaluation of Stepping Stones Triple P combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Roslyn Boyd
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Koa Whittingham directly for media enquiries about:
- acceptance and commitment therapy
- early motherhood
- mindful parenting
- parenting
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