Studying the course, character and neurobiology of anxiety disorders of children with an emphasis on cross-generational and familial influences including family accommodation of the child's symptoms. Development, testing and dissemination of therapeutic interventions for childhood anxiety, particularly parent-based treatment.
Brain imaging to learn about systems impacted by childhood anxiety and treatment related changes in brain function.
The study of avoidance, a core feature of anxiety, using novel motion-tracking technology and software.
Specialized Terms: Anxiety disorders; Neurobiology; Hypophyseal Hormones; Family Systems; Parent based treatment; Technology
My lab studies behavioral and neurobiological systems relevant to the etiology, course, and treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. We employ a range of methodolgies to identify and research key biomarkers in clinical populations. We focus on markers of childhood disorders and on biomarkers of relevant parental and maternal behaviors. Markers include neurobiological factors studied through brain imaging (fMRI) and blood and saliva based markers.
I developed SPACE, a parent-based treatment for childhood and adolescent anxiety and OCD and the lab conducts clinical research into the efficacy of SPACE as well working to disseminate the treatment to the lay and professional public.
We conduct funded explanatory clinical trials aimes at identifying effective treatments and the mechansims by which the work. We also investigate moderators of treatmet outcome or markers of patients most likel to benefit from particular treatmetns.
We employ technological innovation to address difficult to study questions that are not amenable to conventional diagnostic or assessment tools.
Students in the lab are engaged in all aspects of research including patient evaluation and care and ongoing research projects.
Investigation of mechansims and biomarkers of protective maternal behavior toward childhood fear and anxiety.
Explanatory clinical trial of a novel parent based treatmetn of childhood anxiety disorders.
Study of hypophyseal hormones in anxious children.
Study of behavioral avoidance using motion tracking technology.
Anxiety; Avoidance Learning; Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms; Mental Disorders; Child Psychiatry; Fear; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Neurobiology; Technology; Psychiatry and Psychology