This research proposes that psychotherapy works by reshaping cognitive maps in the brain, much like navigation. In depression, these maps become narrow and repetitive. By analyzing therapy language and concept networks, this work aims to make therapy more precise—helping clinicians visualize mental “stuck points” and guide patients toward healthier paths.

Psychiatric symptoms often precede neurodegenerative diseases, but the biological link remains unclear. This research examines the FMR1 gene using postmortem brain tissue to uncover shared molecular mechanisms, aiming to predict neurodegeneration earlier, improve treatment strategies, and reframe psychiatric symptoms as potential early warning signs.

This phenomenological study explores music therapists’ experiences working with women in the military. Findings highlight gender-based discrimination, the importance of advocacy and empowerment, and the influence of military culture on therapy. The research underscores a critical gap in the literature and calls for expanded, women-focused music therapy research.

This research explores how chronic stress reshapes the brain through genetic mechanisms. By studying the stress-regulating gene MeCP2 in mice, the work shows how early-life stress can lock the brain into a heightened anxiety state, revealing biological pathways that may inform future treatments for stress-related mental health disorders.

This research examines how multiple sclerosis disrupts meaning and identity beyond physical symptoms. A nurse-led, group-based intervention helps people with MS rebuild purpose and quality of life. By targeting meaning alongside medical treatment, the project addresses the often-overlooked psychological impact of chronic illness and offers a scalable model for holistic care.

This research examines depression screening practices among physiotherapists treating back pain. Findings show screening is rare, indirect, and hindered by stigma, time pressure, and system constraints. The work highlights the need for validated tools, training, and policy change to normalise mental health screening and improve patient safety.

My PhD explores children’s well-being at ages 10–11 by integrating children’s voices with parent and teacher perspectives. Using child-centred methods, it identifies key influences during a critical transition. The research prioritizes children as experts, informing better measurement, intervention, and long-term understanding of how well-being evolves over time.

This thesis uses theatrical horror to confront the “superwoman schema” that discourages Black women from seeking mental health care. By breaking theatrical contracts to induce unpredictability and empathy, the work mirrors the societal rupture Black women face when pursuing therapy, motivating audiences toward understanding and systemic change.

This research applies the concept of hormesis—where low doses are beneficial but high doses harmful—to pornography use. Since excessive porn use is associated with mental-health problems, the project seeks to identify the “healthy limit” of use. Participants will complete daily smartphone surveys over a month, allowing the researcher to model how porn consumption affects well-being and how moral beliefs modify these effects. The goal is to build a personalised app that guides individuals toward safe levels of use and reduces polarisation in debates about pornography.