Current Work
We conduct psychological research covering a wide range of topics. Our current research is primarily concerned with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Hoarding Disorder, however we also conduct research into related anxiety disorders, such as Social Phobia.
Areas of Research
My research on OCD integrates neuropsychological and psychological models of intrusive thoughts; two compatible, but historically separate, approaches to understanding cognition in OCD. In order to accomplish this overarching aim, I have begun to examine key questions, such as whether OCD symptoms are associated with a decreased ability to suppress intrusive thoughts. My initial findings demonstrated that beliefs about the importance of controlling one’s thoughts were associated with failures in thought suppression among individuals with OCD. This work has led me to examine whether we can modify implicitly the cognitive biases that characterise this disorder, alter emotional and cognitive responses to intrusive thoughts, and ultimately reduce OCD symptoms.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
I also conduct research on hoarding disorder, a poorly understood, treatment-resistant psychiatric syndrome. My work includes a study delineating key differences between hoarding and OCD, as well as the first laboratory study of neuropsychological impairment associated with hoarding. I am currently interested in deficits in self-regulation in hoarding disorder, as well as how emotions affect decision-making among individuals with hoarding difficulties and the role of impaired distress tolerance.
