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Jennifer JordanAssociate Professor

MA(1st Class Hons) Dip Clin Psych(Cant) PhD(Otago) FNZCCP

Tel +64 3 372 6700
Email jenny.jordan@otago.ac.nz

Jenny has been an investigator and therapist in a series of randomised clinical trials, evaluating different psychotherapies for serious mental disorders including eating disorders, depression and latterly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the Christchurch earthquakes.

These therapies include cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, schema therapy, and metacognitive therapy.

She was part of the research team who developed specialist supportive clinical management for anorexia nervosa.

Jenny is currently Co-lead Investigator of the New Zealand arm of the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI), the largest genetic investigation of eating disorders ever performed. For more information, visit edgi.nz

Current research interests

Psychotherapies for mental disorders

  • Mood, anxiety and eating disorders research
    • Diagnostic issues and comorbidity
    • Transdiagnostic processes and approaches
    • Cultural responsiveness
  • Christchurch Earthquakes
    • Psychiatric and psychosocial impacts
  • Comparative psychotherapy trials
    • Predictors of outcome and psychotherapy response
    • Mechanisms of change
    • Therapy process factors
    • Patient perspectives
    • Language of psychotherapy

Publications

Ward, J. A., Kew, B. M., Jordan, J., Porter, R. J., & Douglas, K. M. (2026). Medical student mental health and the role of rumination. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1635), 125-131. doi: 10.26635/6965.7338 Journal - Research Other

Clark, M. t. R., Jordan, J., Summers, N., Clarke, R., & McKerchar, C. (2026). Enacting policy: Mapping Kaupapa Māori aspirations onto the New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 139(1635), 68-80. doi: 10.26635/6965.7275 Journal - Research Article

Clark, M. t. R., Clark, R. T., Jordan, J., Porter, R., & Pitama, S. (2026). Shifting the Overton Window: Enhancing therapeutic outcomes for Māori experiencing Ngā Māuiui kai (eating disorders) through the integration of traditional Māori and Western healing systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 17, 1795945. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1795945 Journal - Research Article

Schaumberg, K., Watson, H. J., Thornton, L. M., Kennedy, H. L., Ong, S. H., Roche, P., … Pettie, M. A., … Jordan, J., Kennedy, M. A., … Bulik, C. M. (2026). Assessment of maladaptive exercise history among individuals with eating disorders: Validation of a brief, self-report measure. European Eating Disorders Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/erv.70084 Journal - Research Article

Quinn, N., McCombie, A., Jemberie, D., Logan, S., Finlayson, D., Joyce, L. R., Mulder, R., Jordan, J., & Wakeman, C. (2026). Under-diagnosis and under-treatment of post traumatic stress disorder amongst major trauma patients. Injury, 57(5), 113077. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113077 Journal - Research Article

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