The goal of my research is to contribute to improving psychological well-being by understanding the processes involved in mental health, resilience, recovery, and psychological growth. I am interested in how people maintain good mental health and well-being in the face of adversity; how people recover from potentially traumatic experiences; and the positive psychological changes that may occur following life challenges.

A specific focus of my research is how mental health, resilience, and psychotherapeutic processes are affected by socio-emotional factors, such as social support, attachment bonds, and interpersonal emotion regulation. Another area of interest is the roles of mindfulness, compassion and embodiment in psychological well-being and psychotherapy.

My current research focuses on the role of psychotherapy in improving mental health and well-being in culturally diverse survivors of trauma. I welcome enquiries from potential PhD candidates interested in conducting research in this area and related topics.

I have supervised the following doctoral theses: 

Supporting refugee clients therapeutically: An exploration of therapists' perspectives

Culturally adapted parenting interventions: Parent and practitioner experiences, especially those of Irish Travellers

Maintaining the self: A grounded theory study on how members of the Irish Traveller community attend to their mental health needs

I am currently co-supervising the following doctoral theses:

The lived experiences of psychotherapists providing psychotherapy in forensic mental health inpatient services

Talking the talk and walking the walk: A narrative inquiry into psychotherapists’ lived experience of resilience in clinical practice

Adverse childhood experiences and perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

The role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in psychotherapy for comorbid substance use and trauma