My work has demonstrated that people with eating disorders have strengths for processing information by focusing on small details and that they are able to stick to rules more closely than their unaffected peers. My research has shown that this can make bigger picture and flexible thinking more challenging and that the more detail focused and inflexible the cognitive style, the more severe and enduring the illness. These findings have been translated into clinical practice and I have conducted one of the largest randomised controlled trials in the child and adolescent literature exploring how Cognitive Remediation Therapy might help young people with these skills as part of their recovery. 

My work has also shown that people with eating disorders have challenges in recognising and regulating emotions, particularly anger and disgust and I have begun to uncover some of the reasons, why, in my studies, both adults and young people with eating disorders have reported significant difficulties with their social lives and social skills. I have conducted innovative studies using eye-tracking and observational methodologies to better understand the social skills that might be more challenging for people with eating disorders with the aim of using this knowledge to support people to make better use of social support to facilitate their recovery. 

I have developed and tested novel treatment enhancers which target intolerance of uncertainty and use positive psychology to help improve quality of life in eating disorders.

Current Projects

My Medical Research Council funded project explores how decision making under conditions of risk might contribute to the later onset of eating disorder symptoms. 

My BA/Leverhulme funded project uses EEG to investigate emotional functioning in people with bulimia nervosa. 

I collaborate with researchers from around the world to find solutions to the challenges that people with eating disorders report with their social emotional functioning.