Primary fields of research

I am a scientist-practitioner trained as a Registered Psychologist. My research and clinical work is focused in the field of reproductive health including psychosocial consequences of infertility, pregnancy loss, use of assisted reproduction and childlessness; family building and decision-making; and fertility awareness and education. Specifically, I conduct research that provides information on how to reduce the negative mental health consequences of infertility, pregnancy loss and childlessness on women and couples and to promote informed and satisfying fertility decision-making in reproductive-aged men and women.

I specialize in qualitative and mixed methods research that has implications for intervention development and clinical practice in public health, reproductive and gynecological health care and psychology. I provide supervision and teaching in psychology, public health and medicine. 

Current research

In January 2020 I accepted a postdoctoral position at the Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. My overal goal in my postdoctoral work is to conduct research that helps reduce the negative psychosocial impact of pregnancy loss on women and their partners by better understanding and promoting support and coping strategies and how health care professionals can support these patients. I am a member of the Reproductive Health research group at the Section of Social Medicine led by Professor Lone Schmidt. 

Since 2021 I have been leading the PREGAFTERPL research project in collaboration with Professor Lone Schmidt, Section of Social Medicine, and Professor Henriette Svarre Nielsen, Amager Hvidovre Hospital and with the Copenhagen Pregnancy Loss research program led by Prof. Nielsen. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101028172.

Using qualitative longitudinal interviews with pregnant couples with one or two prior pregnancy losses (PL), we have investigated couples’ experiences and needs for medical care, psychosocial support and follow-up during a pregnancy after PL(s). Couples were interviewed after a positive pregnancy test and once in each trimester to also shed light on common reactions and ways of coping during pregnancy after PL. The findings were integrated into a new information and support tool intervention co-developed with stakeholders and patients and informed the development and presentation of workshops for clinicians to inform and enhance care provided to these couples. Results on couples’ needs for medical care have been published and presented at national and international conferences and a manuscript on the development on the intervention is forthcoming. Further feasibility testing, implementation and evaluation of the intervention is planned. 

See the first PREGAFTERPL paper here.

See the information and support tool intervention here. 

CV

Academic Positions

2021- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (2 year term)

2020-2021 Postdoctoral Researcher, Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (1.5 years)

2018-2021 Adjunct Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (3 years)

2017-2018 Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Copenhagen (Rigshospitalet Fertility Clinic and Department of Public Health), Copenhagen, Denmark (6 months)

2017 Research Associate, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (6 months)

2014-2017 Research Associate, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (3 years part time)

2015-2016 Postdoctoral Researcher, Cardiff University, Cardiff Fertility Studies Research Group, Cardiff, UK (1 year)

Clinical Experience

2015- Registered Psychologist

2011-2015 Registered Clinical Counsellor

Education

2014 PhD in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada

Title of dissertation: When time runs out: Reconciling permanent childlessness after delayed childbearing

2007 MA in Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada

Title of thesis: Educated immigrant women workers doing well with change: Helping and hindering factors

Academic Awards

Best doctoral dissertation award, Counselling Psychology division, Canadian Psychological Association, 2014

Best Psychosocial Paper award, with Dr. Judith Daniluk, Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society Annual Meeting, 2011

Best doctoral student poster award, Counselling Psychology division, Canadian Psychological Assocation