Jacinta Halloran

Author, Personal Development, Social Issues

As a GP specialising in youth mental health and a budding family therapist, Jacinta understands the particular issues and challenges that often concern young people during their secondary school years, and would be delighted to speak to secondary students on a variety of topics, including:

• Optimising mental health
• Dealing with stress
• How to manage your family
• Hormones and mental health

A firm believer in the psychological benefits of both reading and writing fiction, Jacinta also has experience in running writing workshops that focus on creative writing as an aid to better mental health.

Her latest novel, The Science of Appearances, a coming-of-age story of adolescent boy and girl twins in 1950s Australia, is the perfect springboard to talk about the highs and lows of adolescence and the perennial theme of ‘nature and nurture’.

Where were you born?

Melbourne (I have lived in regional NSW and the UK and USA but I’m a Melbourne girl through and through)

What other jobs have you had?

Babysistter (as the oldest girl in a family of 6 I was in demand – everyone assumed I knew a lot about younger kids! And they were right.) Waitress (I was pretty bad at it), cinema usher, resident doctor, university academic for a short while, but mainly a GP.

What themes are recurring in your work?

Family dynamics; women’s lives; how to live an honest, ethical life; balancing family life and career.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Getting my first book published – the day the email came through offering me a contract still rates as the most exciting day of my life (apart from the birth of my 3 children, of course!!)

What are you passionate about?

The environment in general; our beautiful coastline and our truly unique inland landscapes; walking in wilderness areas; the health and wellbeing of young people; good fiction; mental health in general; my family and friends; writing (on a good day); my studies in family therapy.

Haven’t I seen you before?

Writers festivals, photos in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.