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
2013
Journal Article
Predictors of psychological adjustment, experienced parenting burden and chronic sorrow symptoms in parents of children with cerebral palsy
Whittingham, K., Wee, D., Sanders, M. R. and Boyd, R. (2013). Predictors of psychological adjustment, experienced parenting burden and chronic sorrow symptoms in parents of children with cerebral palsy. Child Care Health and Development, 39 (3), 366-373. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2012.01396.x
2013
Journal Article
Move it to improve it (Mitii): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a novel web-based multimodal training program for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy
Boyd, Roslyn N., Mitchell, Louise E., James, Sarah T., Ziviani, Jenny, Sakzewski, Leanne, Smith, Anthony, Rose, Stephen, Cunnington, Ross, Whittingham, Koa, Ware, Robert S., Comans, Tracey A. and Scuffham, Paul A. (2013). Move it to improve it (Mitii): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial of a novel web-based multimodal training program for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. BMJ Open, 3 (4) e002853, e002853.1-e002853.20. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002853
2013
Journal Article
Executive functioning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: protocol for a cross-sectional study
Bodimeade, Harriet L., Whittingham, Koa, Lloyd, Owen and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2013). Executive functioning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: protocol for a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open, 3 (4) e002500, e002500.1-e002500.10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002500
2013
Journal Article
UP-BEAT (Upper Limb Baby Early Action-observation Training): protocol of two parallel randomised controlled trials of action-observation training for typically developing infants and infants with asymmetric brain lesions
Guzzetta, Andrea, Boyd, Roslyn N., Perez, Micah, Ziviani, Jenny, Burzi, Valentina, Slaughter, Virginia, Rose, Stephen, Provan, Kerry, Findlay, Lisa, Fisher, Imogen, Colombini, Francesca, Tealdi, Gessica, Marchi, Viviani and Whittingham, Koa (2013). UP-BEAT (Upper Limb Baby Early Action-observation Training): protocol of two parallel randomised controlled trials of action-observation training for typically developing infants and infants with asymmetric brain lesions. BMJ Open, 3 (2) 002512, 1-11. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002512
2013
Journal Article
Parenting a child with a traumatic brain injury: Experiences of parents and health professionals
Brown, Felicity L., Whittingham, Koa, Sofronoff, Kate and Boyd, Roslyn N. (2013). Parenting a child with a traumatic brain injury: Experiences of parents and health professionals. Brain Injury, 27 (13-14), 1570-1582. doi: 10.3109/02699052.2013.841996
2012
Journal Article
Prematurity and parental self-efficacy: the Preterm Parenting & Self-Efficacy Checklist
Pennell, Claire, Whittingham, Koa, Boyd, Roslyn, Sanders, Matthew and Colditz, Paul (2012). Prematurity and parental self-efficacy: the Preterm Parenting & Self-Efficacy Checklist. Infant Behavior and Development, 35 (4), 678-688. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2012.07.009
2012
Journal Article
What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted?
Evans, Tracey, Whittingham, Koa and Boyd, Roslyn (2012). What helps the mother of a preterm infant become securely attached, responsive and well-adjusted?. Infant Behavior and Development, 35 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.10.002
2012
Journal Article
A systematic review of parenting interventions for traumatic brain injury: Child and parent outcomes
Brown, Felicity Louise, Koa Whittingham, Roslyn Boyd and Kate Sofronoff (2012). A systematic review of parenting interventions for traumatic brain injury: Child and parent outcomes. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 28 (5), 349-360. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0b013e318245fed5
2012
Conference Publication
Executive functioning in children and adolescents with congenital hemiplegia
Bodimeade, H., Whittingham, K., Boyd, R. and Lloyd, O. (2012). Executive functioning in children and adolescents with congenital hemiplegia. 12th International Child Neurology Congress and the 11th Asian and Oceanian Congress of Child Neurology, Brisbane Australia, 27 May-1 June 2012. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley - Blackwell Publishing.
2011
Journal Article
Prem Baby Triple P a new parenting intervention for parents of infants born very preterm: Acceptability and barriers
Ferrari, Alize J., Whittingham, Koa, Boyd, Roslyn, Sanders, Matthew and Colditz, Paul (2011). Prem Baby Triple P a new parenting intervention for parents of infants born very preterm: Acceptability and barriers. Infant Behavior and Development, 34 (4), 602-609. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2011.06.004
2011
Journal Article
Systematic review of the efficacy of parenting interventions for children with cerebral palsy
Whittingham, K., Wee, D. and Boyd, R. (2011). Systematic review of the efficacy of parenting interventions for children with cerebral palsy. Child Care Health and Development, 37 (4), 475-483. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01212.x
2011
Journal Article
Responding to the challenges of parenting a child with cerebral palsy: A focus group
Whittingham, Koa, Wee, Diana, Sanders, Matthew and Boyd, Roslyn (2011). Responding to the challenges of parenting a child with cerebral palsy: A focus group. Disability and Rehabilitation, 33 (17-18), 1557-1567. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2010.535090
2010
Journal Article
The relationship between motor abilities and early social development in a preschool cohort of children with cerebral palsy
Whittingham, Koa, Fahey, Michael, Rawicki, Barry and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). The relationship between motor abilities and early social development in a preschool cohort of children with cerebral palsy. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31 (6), 1346-1351. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.07.006
2010
Journal Article
The short-term impact of a brief group-based mindfulness therapy program on depression and life satisfaction
Harnett, Paul H., Whittingham, Koa, Puhakka, Elizabeth, Hodges, Julie, Spry, Carmen and Dob, Rian (2010). The short-term impact of a brief group-based mindfulness therapy program on depression and life satisfaction. Mindfulness, 1 (3), 183-188. doi: 10.1007/s12671-010-0024-3
2010
Journal Article
Mindfulness: A dialogue between Buddhism and clinical psychology
Kang, Chris and Whittingham, Koa (2010). Mindfulness: A dialogue between Buddhism and clinical psychology. Mindfulness, 1 (3), 161-173. doi: 10.1007/s12671-010-0018-1
2010
Journal Article
What facets of mindfulness contribute to psychological well-being and depressive, anxious, and stress-related symptomatology?
Cash, Morgan and Whittingham, Koa (2010). What facets of mindfulness contribute to psychological well-being and depressive, anxious, and stress-related symptomatology?. Mindfulness, 1 (3), 177-182. doi: 10.1007/s12671-010-0023-4
2010
Journal Article
Autistic traits in the general population: What mediates the link with depressive and anxious symptomatology?
Rosbrook, Ainslie and Whittingham, Koa (2010). Autistic traits in the general population: What mediates the link with depressive and anxious symptomatology?. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4 (3), 415-424. doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2009.10.012
2010
Journal Article
Comments on a study of the social validity of the developmental disability parent training program Stepping Stones Triple P
Mazzucchelli, Trevor G., Studman, Lisa J., Whittingham, Koa and Sofronoff, Kate (2010). Comments on a study of the social validity of the developmental disability parent training program Stepping Stones Triple P. Life Span and Disability, 13 (2), 109-128.
2010
Conference Publication
Parenting intervention: Acceptability of Stepping Stones Triple P with parents of children with cerebral palsy
Wee, Diana, Whittingham, Koa, Sanders, Matthew, McKinlay, Lynne and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). Parenting intervention: Acceptability of Stepping Stones Triple P with parents of children with cerebral palsy. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Biennial Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, 3-6 March 2010. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
2010
Conference Publication
Parenting experiences and coping strategies of parents of children with cerebral palsy
Wee, Diana, Whittingham, Koa, Sanders, Matthew and Boyd, Roslyn (2010). Parenting experiences and coping strategies of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Biennial Conference, Christchurch, New Zealand, 3-6 March 2010. Oxford, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Koa Whittingham is:
- Available for supervision
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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
What Matters to Parents of Children with Developmental Disability: Exploring Collaborative Goal-setting with Parents in Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jacqui Barfoot
Completed supervision
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2025
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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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
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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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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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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