SPECIALTY AND TITLE

Clinical Psychology

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS

Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network

UNIVERSITY AFFILIATIONS

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto

AREA OF RESEARCH

I am conducting a program of research focused on development and evaluation of novel pain psychology interventions and methods of intervention delivery. This program explores psychosocial aspects of pain experience and the influence of psychological processes on endogenous modulation of pain (i.e. a person’s innate ability to regulate physical pain). Approaching this from a resilience-vulnerability framework, I developed the Pain Resilience Scale, a measure of an individuals’ ability to regulate cognitions and emotions and maintain behavioral engagement despite intense pain. I’ve also sought to use innovative neurophysiological methods to improve understanding of how psychological processes impact pain perception and adaptation.

MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE AND/OR HEALTH CARE DELIVERY

1. I developed the Pain Resilience Scale, a brief measure of an individual’s ability to regulate emotions and cognitions and maintain behavioral engagement despite pain (published in The Journal of Pain;IF= 5.38).
2. I have been honoured to serve as lead psychologist in the Transitional Pain Service (TPS) at the Toronto General Hospital, a path-breaking multidisciplinary program for management of postsurgical pain.
3. I have had the opportunity to engage in a number of formal and informal knowledge translations activities. I have contributed to a number of presentations and publications on the structure and activities of these programs. I have also worked with our team to support development of program templates and website materials to aid in this endeavor.