Eating Disorders Disclosure Lab

Disclosures in Eating Disorders 

Lab Members

Erjia Cao is currently a second-year M.A candidate in Clinical Psychology at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. Prior to her time at TC, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Economics and a second major in Psychology at the University of Hong Kong. She is specifically interested in understanding how long-term environmental vulnerabilities contribute to the progression and interventions of self-destructive behaviors, including eating disorders and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. As a research assistant, Erjia is currently assisting in projects exploring therapeutic alliances, eating disorders, and past experiences of sexual and/or physical abuse. In the future, she hopes to continue her training in a Clinical Psychology doctoral program, as well as to eventually realize her vision of introducing accessible and culturally-relevant research and interventions for underrepresented populations.

Serena J. Gu is a first-year master’s student in the Clinical Psychology program and has a B.S. in psychology and IRHR from University of Toronto. She is currently involved in Treatment access and Trauma and Harm projects at Eating Disorder and Disclosure Lab. Her research interests involve understanding how eating disorders manifested as self-destructive behaviors and how they relate to depression and other mental conditions. She hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She also hopes to continue conducting research for better treatment plans to help clients with self-destructive behaviors.  

Danielle Mayall has a B.A. from Duke University and is now a first year M.A. in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Spirituality.  Her experience in research has focused on developmental psychology, cognitive-behavioral and third-wave intervention therapies (DBT, ACT) and indigenous/non-traditional practices of meditation, contemplation and cure. She is particularly interested in exploring sociocultural influences on ED, childhood trauma & ED, and integrating cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic and holistic interventions for ED. As part of the lab she is working on several projects related to trauma and harm, treatment access and peer alliance and lived experience. 

Steph NG is a second-year masters in the clinical psychology MA program. She is particularly interested in exploring the ways that cultural factors shape the development of body image concerns and eating disorders. After graduation, she hopes to continue working to address the research and treatment gaps on eating disorders and body image concerns in Chinese populations. 

Courtney Sinclair is in her second year in the Clinical Psychology M.A. program at TC. Currently, Courtney is involved in the Lying in Therapy, Project Heal Peer Alliance, and Body Language projects. Courtney hopes to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and continue to research the therapeutic alliance and how disclosure can be impacted in different therapeutic settings. She also hopes to offer affordable and effective treatment for patients with acute diagnoses.