The Lab Team

Meet our dedicated team

People

All Members
Graduate Students
Lab Director
Research Personnel
Undergraduate Thesis
Alumni

Lab Alumni

Dr. Lauren David

Current Position

Upon completion of her PhD, Dr. David completed a postdoctoral fellowship at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. She is currently a Registered Psychologist with the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences and at North York General Hospital.

Degrees

PhD in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BA (Honours) in Psychology, Queen’s University

Research Interests

Lauren conducted psychosocial research on eating pathology across the weight spectrum. Her research interests broadly include the investigation of psychosocial factors, such as readiness for change, that predict positive outcomes for bariatric surgery patients, as well as the effectiveness of psychological interventions designed to improve outcomes for this patient population. Her Master’s thesis investigated the efficacy of Motivational Interviewing (MI) for improving motivation and self-efficacy for change for bariatric patients experiencing difficulties adhering to the post-operative dietary guidelines. Her dissertation investigated the efficacy of various strategies, including self-compassion, for improving significant body image disturbances in individuals with excess weight.

Clinical Interests

Lauren has worked as a study therapist in numerous research settings, including a trial examining the efficacy of telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for bariatric surgery patients and a trial examining the comparative efficacy of CBT versus MI for facilitating rapid treatment response in patients with bulimia nervosa. She has worked as a clinical assessor on a trial investigating the concurrent treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Eating Disorders. She also conducted MI with post-operative bariatric surgery patients for her Master’s thesis, and provided skills training in self-compassion and cognitive restructuring for her dissertation. Lauren completed her final clinical practicum placement at Humber River Regional Hospital Adult Mental Health Program, where she provided empirically driven assessment and treatment for individuals with a range of clinical presentations, including psychosis, personality disorders, and complex mood and anxiety diagnoses. She has also completed practica placements at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine (Clinical Psychology Training Clinic) and at the Eating Disorder Day Hospital at Toronto General Hospital. Lauren’s primary theoretical orientation is cognitive behavioural; however, she values integrating other evidence-based approaches, such as mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapies, when they lend themselves to the case formulation. Lauren completed her postdoctoral internship at St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

Research Support

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Master’s Award

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Doctoral Award

Selected Publications

David, L. A., Sijercic, I., & Cassin, S. E. (2020). Pre- and post-operative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 21(4), e12926. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12926
David, L. & Cassin, S. E. (2018). Motivational interviewing for behavioural and lifestyle changes in severe obesity. In S. E. Cassin, S. Sockalingam, and R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychological care in severe obesity: A practical approach (pp. 79-104). Cambridge University Press.
Macdonald, D.E., McFarlane, T.L., Dionne, M.M., David, L., & Olmsted, M.P. (2017) Rapid response to intensive treatment for Bulimia Nervosa and Purging Disorder: A randomized controlled trial of a CBT intervention to facilitate early behavior change. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 85(9), 896-908.
Taube-Schiff, M., David, L, & Cassin, S. E. (2017). Motivational interviewing for severe obesity. In S. Sockalingam & R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychiatric care in severe obesity: An interdisciplinary guide to integrated care (pp. 221-230). Springer.
Atwood, M. E., David, L., & Cassin, S. E. (2016). Cognitive behavioural therapy for bariatric surgery patients. In R. Rajendram, C. Martin, & V. R. Preedy (Eds.), Pathophysiology of bariatric surgery: Metabolism, nutrition, procedures, outcomes and adverse effects. Academic Press.
David, L., Sockalingam, S., Wnuk, S., & Cassin, S.E. (2016). A pilot randomized controlled trial examining feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of Adapted Motivational Interviewing for post-operative bariatric surgery patients. Eating Behaviors, 22, 87-92.
Cassin, S. E., & David, L. (2015). Binge eating disorder. In R. Cautin & S. Lilienfeld (Eds.), Encyclopedia of clinical psychology. Wiley-Blackwell.

Selected Conference Presentations

Cassin, S. E., David, L. A., & Sijercic, I. (2019, September). Pre- and post-operative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients: A systematic review [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Eating Disorders Research Society (EDRS), Chicago, IL.
David, L., Choma, B., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, November). Self-compassion and cognitive restructuring strategies for body dissatisfaction among women who are overweight or obese [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), San Diego, CA.
David, L., Brochu, P., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, June). Exploring attitudes towards bariatric surgery patients and policies in Canada [poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), Prague, Czech Republic.
David, L., Cassin, S.E., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2016, Oct). Social desirability in bariatric surgery candidates. Poster presented at the 50^th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Convention, New York, NY.
MacDonald, D.E., McFarlane, T., Dionne, M.M., David, L., & Olmsted, M. (2016, Oct). The efficacy of an intervention to facilitate rapid response to intensive treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Invited talk at the Eating Disorder Research Society Conference, New York, NY.
David, L., Cassin, S.E., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingam, S., (2016, May). The effect of Adapted MI on disordered eating behaviours after bariatric surgery. Poster presented at the Academy for Eating Disorders’ International Conference on Eating Disorders, San Fransisco, CA.
David, L., Atwood, M., Cassin, S.E., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2015, April). Bariatric patients’ perceptions of post-surgical dietary changes: Content analysis of the decisional balance worksheet. Poster presented at the 4^th Canadian Obesity Summit, Toronto, ON.
Lyons, K., David, L. , Meisner, B., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S.E. (March, 2014). Body image after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, New York City, NY.
Cassin, S.E., David, L., Royal, S., Wnuk, S. & Sockalingam, S. (2013, November). Development of the Ontario Bariatric Eating Self-Efficacy (OBESE) Scale. Poster presented at the 48^th Annual Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Convention, Nashville, TN.

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Lab Alumni

Dr. Aliza Friedman

Contact

416-979-5000, ext. 553232
aliza.friedman@ryerson.ca

Degree in Progress

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Degrees

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BSc (Honours) in Psychology, Queen’s University

Research Interests

Aliza’s research focuses on the effects of weight-based stigma and discrimination on disordered eating for individuals across the weight spectrum, as well as mechanisms that explain this relationship. Her Master’s thesis investigated the effects of various facets of weight-based stigma and discrimination on eating behaviours in both female undergraduate students and bariatric surgery patients. Her dissertation examined brief interventions that may reduce internalized weight-based stigma, as well as how these interventions can be utilized to improve outcomes for the treatment of disordered eating.

Clinical Interests

Aliza is interested in cognitive-behavioural and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of eating, mood, and anxiety disorders. She has completed clinical practicum placements at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine (Clinical Psychology Training Clinic), the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, and the Eating Disorders Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. She also completed her pre-doctoral internship at St. Joseph’s Healthcare. She has also provided telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy to individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery at Toronto Western Hospital.

Research Support

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award

Selected Publications

Friedman, A. & Cassin, S. E. (2018). Cognitive behavioural therapy for behavioural and lifestyle changes in severe obesity. In S. E. Cassin, S. Sockalingam, and R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychological care in severe obesity: A practical approach (pp. 133-160). Cambridge University Press.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). Body shame and appearance anxiety mediate the relationships between self-objectification, weight bias internalization and binge eating in young women. Body Image, 24, 111-115. https://doi.org/1016/j.bodyim.2018.01.002
Atwood, M. E., Friedman, A., Meisner, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). The exchange of social support on bariatric surgery online discussion forums: A mixed-methods content analysis. Health Communication, 33(5), 628-635. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1289437
Cassin, S. E., & Friedman, A. (2017). Weight-based stigma and body image in severe obesity. In S. Sockalingam & R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychiatric care in severe obesity: An interdisciplinary guide to integrated care (pp. 93-105).

Selected Conference Presentations

Friedman, A., Atwood, M., Cassin, S., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2016, June). Psychosocial care of bariatric surgery patients: Unique challenges and innovative treatment approaches. In F. Collardeau (Chair), Graduate student symposium: Psychologists in hospitals and health centres. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, Canada.
Friedman, A., Cassin, S., & Choma, B. (2016, June). Mediators of the relationship between weight-based stigma/discrimination and binge eating in female undergraduates. Poster presented at the meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, Canada.
Friedman, A., Cassin, S., Choma, B., & Pilla, L. (2015, November). Disordered eating as a predictor of approval of surgical and non-surgical body alteration in female undergraduates. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, U.S.A.
Friedman, A., Cassin, S.E., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingham, S. (2015, April). Effects of weight stigma concerns, perceived discrimination, and weight bias internalization on disordered eating in bariatric surgery patients. Poster presented at the Canadian Obesity Summit, Toronto, ON.

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Lab Alumni

Kathleen Lyons

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Research Assistant

Iris Sijercic

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Lab Alumni

Aiden Mehak

Current Position

Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree, Aiden started the graduate program in Clinical Psychology at McGill University where she is currently a PhD student.

Degree

BA (Honours) in Psychology, Ryerson University

Research Interests

Aiden completed her undergraduate thesis in the HEAL lab, which investigated sociocultural influences on disordered eating in young women and resulted in a first authored publication. She also co-authored a book chapter on virtual care for individuals with obesity. Her current research interests include the phenomenon of ‘feeling fat’ among individuals with eating disorders.

Selected Publications

Cassin, S. E., Mehak, A., & Sockalingam, S. (2018). Telephone based psychological interventions in severe obesity. In S. E. Cassin, S. Sockalingam, and R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychological care in severe obesity: A practical approach (pp. 249-263). Cambridge University Press.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). Body shame and appearance anxiety mediate the relationships between self-objectification, weight bias internalization and binge eating in young women. Body Image, 24, 111-115.

Selected Conference Presentations

Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018, April). The role of body shame in the relationship between depressive symptoms and eating pathology in young women [poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), Chicago, IL.
Friedman, A., Mehak, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, November). Differentiating between thin ideal and weight bias internalization among young women: Effects on binge eating and dietary restraint [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), San Diego, CA.
Friedman, A., Mehak, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, November). Differential effects of thin and muscular ideal internalization on disordered eating among young women [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), San Diego, CA.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, June). The role of negative affect in the relationship between weight bias internalization and binge eating among young women [poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) annual conference, Toronto, ON.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. (2017, May). The relationship between weight bias internalization, body shape concerns, and disordered eating in young women [poster presentation]. National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) annual conference, Toronto, ON.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2016, October). Differences in weight bias internalization and binge eating among young women across the weight spectrum. Poster presented at the 69th annual conference of the Ontario Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2016, June). Mediators of the relationship between weight bias internalization and disordered eating in young women. Poster presented at the 77th annual convention of the Canadian psychological Association, Victoria, BC.
Atwood, M. E., Mehak, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2015, November). Subjective and objective binge eating episodes in relation to general and eating disorder-specific cognitive distortions. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.

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Lab Alumni

Karman Kua

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Graduate Student

Vincent Santiago

Contact

416-979-5000, ext. 553232

vsantiago@ryerson.ca

Degree in Progress

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Degrees

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BSc. (Honours) in Psychology and Biology, University of Toronto

Research Interests

Vincent’s research interests broadly include eating behaviours, body image, and bariatric surgery. Vincent’s doctoral dissertation explores the use of an intervention for food addiction (the concept that individuals can be addicted to foods, particularly highly processed foods). This intervention combines Adapted Motivational Interviewing, a person-centred counselling approach, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) skills for eating related issues and will be tested in a randomized controlled trial.

Vincent’s Master’s thesis explored psychosocial factors (i.e., adult attachment style, emotion regulation, and psychopathology) related to cigarette smoking following bariatric surgery. For his undergraduate thesis, he studied the influence of video messages on healthier eating among students who engaged in restrained and unrestrained eating. He previously worked in research positions at Toronto Western Hospital’s Bariatric Surgery Program and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Clinical Interests

Vincent’s clinical interests include the assessment and treatment of various of mental health issues, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Vincent is particularly interested in using approaches from CBT, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Vincent has completed practicum placements at: 1) the Psychology Training Clinic within the Department of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital; 2) the Intensive Residential and Day Treatment Program for OCD at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and 3) the Day Hospital Treatment, Eating Disorder Program at Toronto General Hospital. Vincent is also involved as a study therapist on clinical trials providing CBT related to post-bariatric surgery issues, as well as social anxiety disorder, substance use, and HIV sexual risk behaviour.

Professional and Community Involvement

Vincent is committed to fostering the growth of psychology and those interested in the field. He is involved in mentorship programs with undergraduates, graduate students, and early career psychologists as part of the Ryerson Psychology Graduate Students’ Association (PGSA), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the American Psychological Association (APA). He is also serving a 2-year term as Student Representative in the Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centres section of the CPA.

Vincent co-organized the inaugural “Diversifying Psychology Recruitment Event” at Ryerson in 2020. The goal of this event was to provide more information about applying to graduate school for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, particularly students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and as a Person of Colour. Vincent also volunteers in LGBTQ+ organizations that offer peer support, workshops, and social activities in the community.

Research Support

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award

Selected Publications

Santiago, V., A., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., Du, C., Hawa, R., Parikh, S. V., & Sockalingam, S. (2021). “If you’re offered help, take it”: Bariatric patients’ experience of telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy. Clinical Obesity, 11(2), e12431.
Lenton-Brym, A. P., Santiago, V. A., Fredborg, B. K., & Antony, M. M. (2021). Associations between social anxiety, depression, and use of mobile dating applications. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(2), 86-93.
Santiago, V. A., Warwick, K., Ratnakumarasuriyar, S., Oyewumi, A., Robinson, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Evaluation of a Patient-Care Planning Intervention to Improve Appointment Attendance by Adults After Bariatric Surgery. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 43(1), 59-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2018.05.003
Sockalingam, S., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Santiago, V., Kowgier, M., Jackson, T., Okrainec, A., & Cassin, C. (2017). Psychosocial predictors of quality of life and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery: Results from the Toronto Bari-PSYCH study. General Hospital Psychiatry, 47, 7-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.04.005
Sockalingam, S., Tehrani, H., Taube-Schiff, M., Van Exan, J., Santiago, V., & Hawa, R. (2017). The relationship between eating psychopathology and obstructive sleep apnea in bariatric surgery candidates: A retrospective study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(7), 801-807. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22701
Sunil, S., Santiago, V. A., Gougeon, L., Warwick, K., Okrainec, A., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2017). Predictors of vitamin adherence after bariatric surgery. Obesity Surgery, 27(2), 416-423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-016-2306-x
Thiara, G., Yanofsky, R., Abdul-Kader, S., Santiago, V. A., Cassin, S., Okrainec, A., Jackson, T., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2016). Toronto Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment Suitability Scale: Evaluating a new clinical assessment tool for bariatric surgery candidates. Psychosomatics, 57(2), 165-173. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psym.2015.12.003

Selected Conference Presentations

Santiago, V. A. (2020, July 6-August 28). Exercise as a treatment adjunct for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Review of the evidence, mechanisms, and methodologies [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 81^st Annual Convention, Montréal, QC, Canada. (Virtual conference).
Santiago, V. A., Wnuk, S., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2019, May 31-June 2). Smoking among bariatric patients: The role of adult attachment style, emotion regulation, and psychopathology [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 80^th Annual Convention, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Santiago, V. A. (2019, May 17-18). Mental Health. In S. Sampath & J. Hagen. (Chairs), Year in Review[Plenary/symposium presentation on research conducted in bariatrics in the past year]. Canadian Obesity Weekend (joint conference of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, North American Chapter), Toronto, ON, Canada.
Santiago, V. A., Dryer, A., Wnuk, S., Hawa, R., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2018, June 26-30). Does emotional eating mediate the relationship between emotion regulation and weight loss in bariatric surgery patients? [Poster presentation]. 79^th Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association and the 29^thInternational Congress of Applied Psychology (integrated), Montréal, QC, Canada. *CPA Best Student Presentation Award in the Clinical Psychology Section of the CPA.
Santiago, V., Robinson, S., Warwick, K., Ratnakumarasuriyar, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2017, June 7-9). Increasing efficiency in bariatric surgery appointment attendance using a patient centred approach. In F. Collardeau (Chair), Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centres (PHHC) graduate student symposium [Symposium]. Canadian Psychological Association 78^th Annual Convention, Toronto, ON, Canada. *CPA Best Student Presentation Award in the Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centres Section of the CPA.
Santiago, V. A., Parikh, S. V., Hawa, R., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., Chau, C., & Sockalingam, S. (2017, June 7-9). Qualitative interviews with post-bariatric surgery patients regarding telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association 78^th Annual Convention, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Sunil, S., Santiago, V., Gougeon, L., Warwick, K., Okrainec, A., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2015, Apr. 28-May 2; May 16-20). Psychosocial predictors of multivitamin adherence after bariatric surgery [Oral presentation]. 4^th Canadian Obesity Summit in Toronto, ON Canada. *Undergraduate Student Oral Presentation Award, 2nd Place. [Poster presentation]. American Psychiatric Association 168^th Annual Meeting, Toronto, ON, Canada.

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Graduate Student

Vanessa Montemarano

Contact

416-979-5000, ext. 553232

vanessa.montemarano@ryerson.ca

Degree in Progress

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Degree

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BSc (Honours) In Psychology, Queen’s University

Research Interests

Vanessa’s research interests include examining eating disorders across the weight spectrum and improving intervention efficacy for individuals with disordered eating. Her Master’s thesis examined the potential stigmatizing effects of a food addiction label among individuals who are overweight or obese. She also has a broader interest in the relationship between PTSD and disordered eating.

Clinical Interests

Vanessa is interested in cognitive-behavioural interventions for eating-related difficulties, including body image, eating disorders, and food addiction. She is a telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapist for individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery. Vanessa has also completed a clinical practicum placement at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine (Clinical Psychology Training Clinic) and the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. She will be completing a practicum placement at the Eating Disorders Program at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in 2021-2022.

Research Support

Ryerson Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Award

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – Master’s Award

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – Doctoral Award

Selected Publications

Montemarano, V. & Cassin, S. E. (2021). The effect of a food addiction explanatory model of eating behaviours on weight-based stigma: An experimental investigation. Eating Behaviours, 41, 101507.
Cassin, S. E., Sijercic, I., & Montemarano, V. (2020). Psychosocial interventions for food addiction: A systematic review. Current Addiction Reports, 7, 9-19.
Montemarano, V., Troister, T., Lambert, C. E., & Holden, R. R. (2018). A four-year longitudinal study examining psychache and suicide ideation in elevated-risk undergraduates: A test of Shneidman’s model of suicidal behaviour. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(10), 1820-1832.
Mac Neil, B. A., Leung, P., & Montemarano, V. (2018). Exposure with response prevention (ERP) for body dissatisfaction in a group therapy format: An exploratory study. Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 23, 225-232.

Selected Conference Presentations

Montemarano, V., Sijercic, I., & Cassin, S. E. (2020, July 6 – August 28). There is a lack of empirically supported psychosocial interventions for food addiction: A systematic review. [Poster presentation]. 81st Canadian Psychological Association Annual National Convention, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. (https://eventmobi.com/cpa2020/)
Montemarano, V., Kua, K., & Cassin, S. E. (2019, November 15-16). The association between food addiction symptoms and externalized weight-based stigma [Poster presentation]. Ontario Psychological Association 72nd Annual Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Montemarano, V., & Mac Neil, B. A. (2016, September). Preliminary study examining self-evaluation based on body image scale (SEBI): Areas of self-evaluation, validity, and reliability. The Bi-Annual Eating Disorders Association of Canada (EDAC) Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.Vanessa Montemarano

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Graduate Student

Bethany Nightingale

Contact

416-979-5000, ext. 553232

bethany.nightingale@ryerson.ca

Degree in Progress

PhD in Clinical Psychology

Degrees

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BA (Honours) In Psychology, University of Waterloo

Research Interests

Bethany is broadly interested in the eating disorder, weight, and body-image related field. Her research thus far has focused on factors related to negative body image and means by which we can improve individuals’ perceptions of their own bodies. In her Master’s work, this included examining the role of weight bias internalization in a self-compassion intervention for body image for those with excess weight.

Clinical Interests

Bethany is interested in the use of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and third-wave therapies such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in treating psychological disorders. She has completed practica at St. Michael’s Family Health Team (where she developed skills in administering CBT for mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders) and at Sunnybrook’s Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre (where she provided CBT and MBCT for individuals with Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders). Bethany is particularly interested in the treatment of eating- and body image-related disorders and issues. She works as a therapist for a randomized controlled trial in the HEAL lab, providing virtual CBT for post-operative bariatric patients, and will be completing a practicum placement with North York General Hospital’s eating disorder treatment program in 2021-2022.

Research Support

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Award

Selected Publications

Kelly, A. C., Katan, A., Hernandez, L. P. S., Nightingale, B. A., & Geller, J. (2020). Why would I want to be more self-compassionate? A qualitative study of the pros and cons to cultivating self-compassion in individuals with anorexia nervosa. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60(1), 99-115. doi:10.1111/bjc.12275
Nightingale, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2019). Disordered eating among individuals with excess weight: A review of recent research. Current Obesity Reports, 8(2), 112-127. doi:10.1007/s13679-019-00333-5

Selected Conference Presentations

Nightingale, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2021, June). Self-compassion improves body image among women with excess weight and high weight bias internalization. [Poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders, Virtual.
Nightingale, B. A., Cassin, S. E., Sockalingam, S., & Wunk, S. (2020, July). Eating self-efficacy predicts post-surgery emotional eating among bariatric surgery patients. [Poster presentation]. 81^st Canadian Psychological Association Annual National Convention, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. https://eventmobi.com/cpa2020/agenda/d39138e5-dbea-442c-8e39-017d30562b3f/5b08b77a-4a34-4fe1-bda6-76c7cc6e1863
Nightingale, B. A., Cassin, S. E., Sockalingam, S., & Wunk, S. (2019, November). Does Pre-Surgery Self-Efficacy Predict Post-Bariatric Surgery Outcomes? [Poster presentation] Ontario Psychological Association 72^ndAnnual Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Nightingale, B. A., & Kelly, A. C. (2019, March). A Qualitative Analysis of the Barriers to Self-Compassion among Non-Treatment Seeking Females with Anorexia Nervosa. [Poster presentation] International Conference on Eating Disorders, New York, NY, USA.
Nightingale, B. A., & Kelly, A. C. (2019, March). Exploring the Harmfulness of Self-Initiated Fat Talk. [Poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders, New York, NY, USA.
Nightingale, B. A. & Kelly, A. C. (2018, April). How should we respond when a friend fat talks? [Poster presentation] International Conference on Eating Disorders, Chicago, IL, USA.
Hudd, T., Vidovic, V., Lenton-Brym, A., Finch, K., Parker, V., Dupasquier, J. R., Nightingale, B., Barber, K., & Moscovitch, D. A. (2017, June). The nature and impact of negative autobiographical memory retrieval in social anxiety disorder. [Poster presentation]. Canadian Psychological Association Convention, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Gualtieri, S., Nightingale, B., & Denison, S. (2017, April). Examining 3- and 4-year-olds’ probabilistic reasoning abilities in a novel choice task. ]Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Austin, TX, USA.
Kazakevic, E., Kung, F., Nightingale, B., Lee, P., Garner, V., & Adair, W. L. (2016, March). Stereotype threat in east-west intercultural negotiations. [Poster presentation].10th Annual Southwestern Ontario IO & OB Student Conference, London, ON, Canada.

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Research Coordinator

Samantha Leung

Contact

samantha.leung@uhn.ca

Degrees

MSc in Biology, York University

BSc (Honours) in Biology and Psychology, Queen’s University

Research Interests

Samantha is broadly interested in obesity, eating behaviours, mental health, and patient care. Her work as a research coordinator and analyst with the Toronto Western Hospital’s Bariatric Centre of Excellence focuses on developing interventions and stepped care approaches for pre- and post-operative bariatric surgery patients. Currently, she is the research coordinator for a multi-site, randomized controlled trial examining the effectiveness of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy. The study is a partnership between the HEAL Lab and the Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Program.

Selected Publications

Cassin, S. E., Leung, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., & Sockalingam, S. (2020). Food addiction is associated with binge eating and psychiatric distress among post-operative bariatric surgery patients and may improve in response to cognitive behavioural therapy. Nutrients, 12, 2905.
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S., Wnuk, S., Cassin, S. E., Yanofsky, R., & Hawa, R. (2020). Psychiatric management of bariatric surgery patients: A review of psychopharmacological and psychological treatments and their impact on post-operative mental health and weight outcomes. Psychosomatics, 61(5), 498-507.
Sockalingam, S. Leung, S. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on bariatric surgery: Redefining psychosocial care. Obesity, 28(6), 1010-1012.
Hawkins, M., Leung, S., Lee, A., Wnuk, S., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Socakingam, S. (2020). Psychiatric medication use and weight outcomes one-year after bariatric surgery. Psychosomatics, 61(1), 56-63.
Costa-Dookhan, K. A., Leung, S., Cassin, S. E., & Sockalingam, S. (2020). Predictors of response to telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy in bariatric surgery patients. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 44(3), 236-240.
Leung, S., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Prospective study of attachment as a predictor of binge eating, emotional eating, and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery. Nutrients, 11(7), 1625.
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Parikh, S. V., Jackson, T., & Cassin, S. E. (2019). Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for patients 1-year post bariatric surgery: A pilot study. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, 13(5), 499-504.
Cassin, S. E., Buchman, D. Z., Leung, S. E., Kantarovich, K., Hawa, A., Carter, A., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Ethical, stigma, and policy implications of food addiction: A scoping review. Nutrients, 11(4), 701.

Selected Conference Presentations

Hawkins, M., Leung, S., Wnuk, S., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, November). Psychiatric medication use and weight outcomes one-year post bariatric surgery [paper presentation]. ASMBS Obesity Week Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Leung, S. E., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, April). Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for post-operative bariatric surgery patients. A study protocol [poster presentation]. Annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS), Toronto, ON.
Cassin, S. E., Buchman, D., Kantarovich, K., Leung, S., Hawa, R., Carter, A., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, March). Potential implications of food addiction on stigma: A scoping review [poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), New York, NY.
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., Du, C., Parikh, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2018, November). Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for 1 year post bariatric surgery patients: A pilot study [poster presentation]. Annual meeting of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP), Orlando, FL.
Leung, S., Cassin, S. E., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, May). Prospective study of attachment as a predictor of eating pathology and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery [paper presentation]. Annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Bariatric Physicians and Surgeons (CABPS), Toronto, ON.
Costa-Dookhan, K. A., Leung, S., Cassin, S. E., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, April). Predictors of response to telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy in bariatric surgery patients [paper presentation]. Canadian Obesity Summit (COS), Ottawa, ON.
Leung, S. E., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, April). Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for post-operative bariatric surgery patients. Protocol for a randomized controlled trial [poster presentation]. Canadian Obesity Summit (COS), Ottawa, ON.
Leung, S. E., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingam, S. (2019, April). Prospective study of attachment as a predictor of eating pathology and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery [poster presentation]. Canadian Obesity Summit (COS), Ottawa, ON.

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Saba Salemi

Undergraduate Thesis Student

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Undergraduate Thesis Student

Elisha Starick

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Lab Director

Dr. Stephanie Cassin

Degrees

PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Calgary

MSc in Clinical Psychology, University of Calgary

BSc (Honours) in Psychology and Animal Physiology, University of Toronto

Biography

Dr. Cassin is a Full Professor and Director of the Healthy Eating and Lifestyle (HEAL) Lab at Ryerson University. In addition, she holds a faculty appointment at the University of Toronto (Department of Psychiatry). She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Calgary, and completed an internship at the University of British Columbia. Following graduation, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation at the Mood and Anxiety Treatment and Research Program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Prior to joining the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University, she held staff clinical psychologist positions in the Mood and Anxiety Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and the Bariatric Surgery Program at Toronto Western Hospital.

Research Interests

Dr. Cassin’s research interests are in the area of disordered eating, obesity, and bariatric (weight loss) surgery. The research she completed during her doctoral training focused on the conceptualization of binge eating as an addiction, and the potential therapeutic implications that arise from this conceptualization. She is particularly interested in the impact of readiness for change on treatment outcome, as well as treatment approaches aimed at resolving ambivalence and enhancing readiness for change, such as motivational interviewing.

Her current research interests include psychosocial predictors of bariatric surgery outcome, and psychosocial interventions with the potential to improve outcomes. She is co-Principal Investigator on a CIHR-funded multisite randomized controlled trial on cognitive behavioural therapy for bariatric surgery patients. Dr. Cassin received a Dean’s Scholarly, Research, and Creative Activity (SRC) Award from Ryerson University in 2020.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Cassin is particularly interested in the evidence-based assessment and treatment of eating disorders, anxiety disorders (i.e., social phobia), and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She takes a collaborative, cognitive-behavioural approach to treatment and frequently incorporates motivational interviewing strategies to help prepare individuals for CBT when ambivalence about making changes poses a barrier to treatment.

Teaching Interests

Dr. Cassin teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses related to psychopathology, including Psychological Disorders, Clinical Psychology, Advanced Psychopathology Seminar, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Eating Disorders. In addition, she provides clinical supervision to graduate students completing practicum placements at the Clinical Psychology Training Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Cassin received a Dean’s Teaching Award from Ryerson University in 2014 and an Award for Excellence in Professional Training from the Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs in 2017.

Selected Publications

Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2018). Psychological care in severe obesity: A practical approach. Cambridge University Press.
Santiago, V., A., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., Du, C., Hawa, R., Parikh, S. V., & Sockalingam, S. (2021). “If you’re offered help, take it”: Bariatric patients’ experience of telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy. Clinical Obesity, 11(2), e12431.
Cassin, S. E., & Sockalingam, S. (2021). Advances and future directions in the clinical utility of food addiction. Nutrients, 13, 708.
Montemarano, V. & Cassin, S. E. (2021). The effect of a food addiction explanatory model of eating behaviours on weight-based stigma: An experimental investigation. Eating Behaviours, 41, 101507.
Atwood, M., Cassin, S. E., Rajaratnam, T., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2021). The Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment of Suitability Scale (BIPASS) predicts binge eating, quality of life, and weight regain following surgery. Clinical Obesity, 11(1), e12421.
Youssef, A., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., Leung, S., Jackson, T., & Sockalingam, S. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on bariatric patients’ self-management post-surgery. Appetite, 162, 105166.
Cassin, S. E., Leung, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., & Sockalingam, S. (2020). Food addiction is associated with binge eating and psychiatric distress among post-operative bariatric surgery patients and may improve in response to cognitive behavioural therapy. Nutrients, 12, 2905.
Sockalingam, S. Leung, S. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on bariatric surgery: Redefining psychosocial care. Obesity, 28(6), 1010-1012.
David, L. A., Sijercic, I., & Cassin, S. E. (2020). Pre- and post-operative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 21(4), e12926.
Cassin, S. E., Sijercic, I., & Montemarano, V. (2020). Psychosocial interventions for food addiction: A systematic review. Current Addiction Reports, 7(1), 9-19.
Costa-Dookhan, K. A., Leung, S., Cassin, S. E., & Sockalingam, S. (2020). Predictors of response to telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy in bariatric surgery patients. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 44(3), 236-240.
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S., Wnuk, S., Cassin, S. E., Yanofsky, R., & Hawa, R. (2020). Psychiatric management of bariatric surgery patients: A review of psychopharmacological and psychological treatments and their impact on post-operative mental health and weight outcomes. Psychosomatics, 61(5), 498-507.
Leung, S., Wnuk, S., Jackson, T., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Prospective study of attachment as a predictor of binge eating, emotional eating, and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery. Nutrients, 11(7), 1625.
Sockalingam, S., Leung, S. E., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Parikh, S. V., Jackson, T., & Cassin, S. E. (2019). Telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for patients 1-year post bariatric surgery: A pilot study. Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, 13(5), 499-504.
Kantarovich, K., Wnuk, S., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Employment outcomes two years after bariatric surgery: Relationship to quality of life and psychosocial predictors. Obesity Surgery, 29(9), 2854-2861.
Nightingale, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2019). Disordered eating among individuals with excess weight: A review of recent literature. Current Obesity Reports, 8(2), 112-127.
Cassin, S. E., Buchman, D. Z., Leung, S. E., Kantarovich, K., Hawa, A., Carter, A., & Sockalingam, S. (2019). Ethical, stigma, and policy implications of food addiction: A scoping review. Nutrients, 11(4), 701.
Nasirzadeh, Y., Kantarovich, K., Wnuk, S., Okrainec, A., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2018). Postoperative binge eating, loss of control eating, emotional eating, and night eating after bariatric surgery and their impact on weight outcomes: Results from the Toronto Bari-PSYCH cohort study. Obesity Surgery, 28(7), 2032-2039.
Mehak, A., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). Body shame and appearance anxiety mediate the relationships between self-objectification, weight bias internalization and binge eating in young women. Body Image, 24, 111-115.
Atwood, M. E., Friedman, A., Meisner, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). The exchange of social support on bariatric surgery online discussion forums: A mixed-methods content analysis. Health Communication, 33(5), 628-635.
Sockalingam, S., Hawa, R., Wnuk, S., Santiago, V., Kowgier, M., Jackson, T., Okrainec, A., & Cassin, S. E. (2017). Psychosocial predictors of quality of life and weight loss two years after bariatric surgery: Results from the Toronto Bari-PSYCH study. General Hospital Psychiatry, 47, 7-13.
Sockalingam, S., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., Du, C., Jackson, T., Hawa, R., & Parikh, S. (2017). A pilot study on telephone cognitive behavioural therapy for patients six months post-bariatric surgery. Obesity Surgery, 27(3), 670-675.
MacDonald, D. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2017). Nondieting psychological interventions for individuals who are overweight or obese: A systematic review of the evidence. Psychopathology Review, 4(3), 290-318.
Thiara, G., Yanofsky, R., Abdul-Kader, S., Santiago, V. A., Cassin, S. E., Okrainec, A., Jackson, T., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (2016). Toronto Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment Suitability Scale (BIPASS ^TM): Evaluating a new clinical assessment tool for bariatric surgery candidates. Psychosomatics, 57(2), 165-173.
David, L., Sockalingam, S., Wnuk, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2016). A pilot randomized controlled trial examining the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of adapted motivational interviewing for post-operative bariatric surgery patients. Eating Behaviors, 22, 87-92.
Cassin, S. E., Sockalingam, S., Du, C., Wnuk, S., Hawa, R., & Parikh, S. (2016). A pilot randomized controlled trial of telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy for preoperative bariatric surgery patients. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 80, 17-22.
Sockalingam, S., Wnuk, S., Kantarovich, K., Meaney, C., Okrainec, A., Hawa, R., & Cassin, S. E. (2015). Employment outcomes one year after bariatric surgery: The role of patient and psychosocial factors. Obesity Surgery, 25(3), 514 – 522.
Azin, A., Zhou, C., Jackson, T., Cassin, S. E., Sockalingam, S., & Hawa, R. (2014). Body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery: A study of cost as a barrier and impact on psychological well-being. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 133(6), 776e-782e.
Lyons, K., Meisner, B. A., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2014). Body image after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study. Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care, 9(1), 41-49.
Sockalingam, S., Cassin, S. E., Hawa, R., Khan, A., Wnuk, S., & Okrainec, A. (2013). Predictors of post-bariatric surgery appointment attendance: The role of relationship style. Obesity Surgery, 23(12), 2026-2032.
Cassin, S. E., Sockalingam, S., Wnuk, S., Strimas, R., Royal, S., Hawa, R. & Parikh, S. (2013). Cognitive behavioural therapy for bariatric surgery patients: Preliminary evidence for feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 20(4), 529-543.
Sockalingam, S., Cassin, S. E., Crawford, S., Pitzul, K., Khan, A., Hawa, R., Jackson, T., & Okrainec, A. (2013). Psychiatric predictors of surgery non-completion following suitability assessment for bariatric surgery, Obesity Surgery, 23(2), 205-211.
Cassin, S. E., von Ranson, K. M., Heng, K., Brar, J., & Wojtowicz, A. E. (2008). Adapted motivational interviewing for women with binge eating disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22, 417-425.
Cassin, S. E., & von Ranson, K. M. (2007). Is binge eating experienced as an addiction? Appetite, 49, 687-690.
Cassin, S. E., & von Ranson, K. M. (2005). Personality and eating disorders: A decade in review. Clinical Psychology Review, 25, 895-916.

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Lab Alumni

Dr. Molly Atwood

Current Position

Upon completion of her PhD, Dr. Atwood completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences. She is currently a licensed psychologist at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore.

Degrees

PhD in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

MA in Clinical Psychology, Ryerson University

BA(Honours) in Psychology, Ryerson University

Research Interests

Molly’s research interests broadly include the exploration of psychological factors that maintain disordered eating behaviours, as well as the treatment of eating disorders and obesity. Her Master’s thesis investigated the clinical correlates and antecedents of subjective binge eating (i.e., experiencing a sense of loss of control while eating, although the amount of food consumed is not unusually large). Specifically, investigated the relationship between problematic cognitions and the subjective appraisal of loss of control over eating, as well as the cognitive and emotional factors that precipitate subjective binge eating, in order to identify targets for treatment. Her dissertation examined a tool developed at the Toronto Western Hospital Bariatric Surgery Program called the Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment of Suitability Scale (BIPASS) and found that it predicted binge eating, quality of life, and weight regain following surgery.

Clinical Interests

Molly is interested in providing cognitive-behavioural treatment to individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia, and eating disorders. She completed practicum placements at St. Michael’s Hospital Department of Family and Community Medicine (Clinical Psychology Training Clinic), the Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, and the Eating Disorders Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. She completed her predoctoral internship in Halifax.

Research Support

Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Master’s Award

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award

Selected Publications

Atwood, M., Cassin, S. E., Rajaratnam, T., Hawa, R., & Sockalingam, S. (in press). The Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment of Suitability Scale (BIPASS) predicts binge eating, quality of life, and weight regain following surgery. Clinical Obesity.
Atwood, M. E., Friedman, A., Meisner, B. A., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). The exchange of social support on bariatric surgery online discussion forums: A mixed-methods content analysis. Health Communication, 33(5), 628-635.
Sogg, S., Atwood, M. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2018). The role of psychosocial interventions to support medical and surgical treatments for severe obesity. In S. E. Cassin, S. Sockalingam, and R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychological care in severe obesity: A practical approach (pp. 18-41). Cambridge University Press.
Cassin, S. E., & Atwood, M. E. (2017). Cognitive behavioural therapy for severe obesity. In S. Sockalingam & R. Hawa (Eds.), Psychiatric care in severe obesity: An interdisciplinary guide to integrated care (pp. 245-256).
Atwood, M. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2016). Surgery for obesity and impact on disordered eating. In T. Wade (Ed.), Encyclopedia of feeding and eating disorders. New York, NY: Springer. DOI 10.1007/978-981-287-087-2_199-1
Atwood, M. E., David, L., & Cassin, S. E. (2016). Cognitive behavioural therapy for bariatric surgery patients. In R. Rajendram, C. Martin, & V. R. Preedy (Eds.), Pathophysiology of bariatric surgery: Metabolism, nutrition, procedures, outcomes and adverse effects. Academic Press.

Selected Conference Presentations

Atwood, M. E., Muravsky, A., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2019, June). Factor structure of the Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment of Suitability Scale (BIPASS) [poster presentation]. Annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Halifax, NS.
Atwood, M. E., Rajaratnam, T., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2019, June). Predictive validity for the Bariatric Interprofessional Psychosocial Assessment of Suitability Scale (BIPASS) [poster presentation]. Annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), Halifax, NS.
Atwood, M. E., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, November). Self-prescribed perfectionism and subjective binge eating: The mediating role of negative affect and dietary restraint [poster presentation]. Annual conference of the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), San Diego, CA.
Atwood, M. E, & Cassin, S. E. (2017, June). Difficulties with emotion regulation as a predictor of subjective binge eating episodes [poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), Prague, Czech Republic.
Atwood, M. E., David, L., Wnuk, S., Sockalingam, S., & Cassin, S. E. (2017, June). Psychometric properties and validation of the Ontario Bariatric Eating Self-Efficacy (OBESE) Scale [poster presentation]. International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED), Prague, Czech Republic.
Friedman, A., Atwood, M. E., Cassin, S. E., Wnuk, S., & Sockalingham, S. (June, 2016). Psychosocial care of bariatric surgery patients: Unique challenges and innovative treatment approaches. In F. Collardeau (Chair), Graduate student symposium: Psychologists in hospitals and health centres. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, BC.
Atwood, M. E., Friedman, A., & Cassin, S. E. (June, 2016). The exchange of social support on bariatric surgery discussion forums: A qualitative content analysis. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Victoria, BC.
Atwood, M. E., Mehak, A., & Cassin, S. E. (November, 2015). Subjective and objective binge eating episodes in relation to general and eating disorder-specific cognitive distortions. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Chicago, IL.
Atwood, M. E., & Cassin, S. E. (June, 2015). Clinical correlates of subjective binge eating episodes in female undergraduates. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, ON.

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