Areas of expertise

Technology to improve and modernize psychological care
I first wrote a computer program in my Ph.D. studies to help those with anxiety associated with stuttering. After this, I created an online treatment for social anxiety for anyone around the globe (www.ai-therapy.com). This fully automated intervention is called Overcome Social Anxiety, and we have published an RCT & real-world study demonstrating that it is helping those who suffer. The next product I launched in 2015 was Overcome Fertility Related Stress, which incorporates the latest technologies and improved usability aimed at helping those who struggle with conception using CBT to target the psychological side of that problem. Finally, I have also run my own clinic since 2008 and have been studying and working in psychology for 20 years. In my clinical work over the years, I have been developing online tools in order to maximize and measure the benefit of the evidence-based techniques I administer in my clinical practice. For my clinical practice innovations and my Ph.D. research, I was awarded the prestigious Tracey Goodall Early Career Award, which recognizes research and clinical innovation in the field of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

Social anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, Health Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Fear of Flying & Performance Anxiety
In my clinical work & training in Australia, Canada, Oxford, the U.K., and Iceland, I have encountered thousands of presentations of how anxiety looks like in the real world. Therefore, I see a wide variety and complex presentations of anxiety having a debilitating impact on people’s lives. Also, I have been conducting peer-reviewed research in this area since 2004. My publications include papers on the fear of blushing, fear of stuttering, performance anxiety, and online treatments to tackle social anxiety. I have extensive clinical experience in these areas and have been practicing since 2005.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
I have been fortunate enough to have been able to both train and practice professionally at clinics that are known in each city (Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada) to be the top clinics for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder treatment. So, I have learned from the best and have specialized in complex OCD for the past decade. OCD is one of the more complicated mental health problems, and I have been fascinated by the theoretically driven and effective treatment we have for this problem. I have published a couple of research articles on the role of magical thinking in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder maintenance.

Eating Disorders / Body Dysmorphic Disorder
When I worked as a senior research clinician at Oxford University in the UK, I worked with several of the leading clinical researchers in eating disorders. Therefore, I have a deep understanding of how eating disorders work. Also, both in my training to become a clinical psychologist and in my practice in Canada and Australia I have worked with hundreds of different individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder for the past 15 years.

Depression, Behavioural Activation & Goal Setting
In my postgraduate clinical training and in my early days’ practice, I treated individuals with depression using the evidenced-based standard Beckian, Ellis, and mindfulness-based approaches treatments. However, at Oxford, I learned from one of the leading researchers in a sub-brand of Cognitive Behavior Therapy called Behavioral Activation. This changed my paradigm. So for the past 10 years, I have changed the type of cognitive behavior therapy I use in my face-to-face treatment, where I find I can be more effective. Behavioural activation is not only a suitable method to overcome depression, but it also fits in with my worldview of using Excel to achieve your goals in life. Personally, I use Behavioral Activation techniques to plan my marathon running & travelling. To date, I have finished 7 full marathons and traveled to 95 countries and counting…

Misophonia
Misophonia, an often misunderstood condition involving strong emotional reactions to specific sounds, is an area of both personal and professional expertise for me. Having lived with Misophonia myself, I bring a unique combination of lived experience and clinical training to help individuals who struggle with this condition. My work integrates evidence-based CBT strategies tailored to reduce distress and improve quality of life for those whose daily functioning is impacted by sound sensitivities. In recent years a noticeable multiplication of publications from 2017 onwards—Misophonia has been gaining recognition as an important area of scientific and clinical interest. This is a rapidly growing area of research and general awareness, with new findings emerging at an accelerating pace. Against this backdrop, the development of Misophonia-specific CBT protocols pioneered at the University of Oxford represents an exciting new direction in treatment. Bringing together rigorous clinical science and first-hand understanding, this work offers fresh hope for individuals whose lives are disrupted by sound sensitivities, and marks the beginning of an important chapter in psychological care for Misophonia.

Fertility-Related Stress
For decades, I have worked clinically with individuals and couples struggling with the emotional toll of infertility. In addition to this hands-on clinical work, I developed Overcome Fertility Stress, an online CBT program that specifically addresses the psychological burden of fertility treatment and conception challenges. This program has been evaluated in a peer-reviewed journal publication, where results show significant benefits for those using the intervention. This integration of clinical expertise and technology has allowed me to provide accessible, evidence-based support to individuals worldwide facing fertility stress.

Death Anxiety
I am currently engaged in research on death anxiety in collaboration with Dr. Rachel Menzies, a leading researcher in the field. Death anxiety is a universal but often hidden psychological concern that can underpin many forms of anxiety and avoidance. My clinical and research work in this area focuses on developing effective interventions that address both the existential and cognitive-behavioral aspects of death anxiety, with the aim of helping individuals live fuller and more meaningful lives.

Driving anxiety
Driving anxiety is a surprisingly common but often hidden problem, with significant effects on independence and quality of life. I have extensive experience helping individuals overcome fears associated with driving—whether related to panic attacks, past accidents, or generalized anxiety—using evidence-based CBT techniques. My approach emphasizes gradual exposure, building confidence, and regaining a sense of safety and freedom on the road.