Current Position:
Psychologist, Halifax Community Mental Health Clinic

Degrees:
2016, PhD in Psychology (Clinical Stream), Ryerson University
2011, MA in Psychology (Clinical Stream), Ryerson University
2009, BA (Honours) in Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University

Research Interests:
Emma’s research interests were in investigating and understanding new treatment approaches that target transdiagnostic factors related to psychopathology. Her research examined anxiety sensitivity (AS) as a transdiagnostic factor. Her Master’s thesis examined computerized interpretation bias modification as a method of attenuating AS. Relatedly, Emma’s PhD dissertation included two studies to investigate the efficacy of brief interventions (interpretation bias modification and psychoeducation) aimed at reducing AS.

Selected Publications:
MacDonald, E.M., Koerner, N., Antony, M.M., Vickers, K., Mastorakos, T., & Kuo, J. (in press). Investigating the therapeutic potential of cognitive bias modification for high anxiety sensitivity. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.

MacDonald, E. M., Pawluk, E. J., Koerner, N., & Goodwill, A., M. (2015). An examination of distress intolerance in undergraduate students high in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 44, 74 – 84.

MacDonald, E. M., Koerner, N., & Antony, M. M. (2013). Modification of interpretive bias: Impact on anxiety sensitivity, information processing and response to induced bodily sensations. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 30, 860-871.

Selected Conference Presentations:

MacDonald, E. M., & Koerner, N. (2014, November). An investigation of the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty factors, worry, negative problem orientation, and cognitive avoidance. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.

MacDonald, E. M., Fracalanza, K. A., & Koerner, N. (2013, November). Investigating emotion dysregulation in individuals with OCD compared to individuals with GAD and healthy control participants. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Nashville, TN.

MacDonald, E. M., & Koerner, N. (2012, November). Intolerance of uncertainty and other types of distress intolerance as predictors of GAD. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.