About
My name is Alessio, I am a clinical psychologist with a passion for research, teaching and communication.
I have always had an interest in understanding how the ability to pay attention to the world surrounding us changes during infancy and childhood. More recently, I became interested in the relationship between body and mind. Specifically, I am researching how the ability to regulate autonomic arousal (how much our body is active or reactive in a specific situation) influences our behaviour and mental wellbeing.
Before academia, I have worked as a clinical psychologist in private and public health services, involved in diagnostic assessment and planning of interventions for children with psychological, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism, anxiety and depression. I am interested in developing innovative strategies and methods to promote effective learning and development of abilities which can support professional and personal growth.
For a full list of publications, see my Google Scholar page or my personal website.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- Autonomic and emotional dysregulation in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Autonomic dysregulation and self-harm.
- Effects of interventions aimed at improving autonomic regulation (e.g., yoga, slow-breathing, mindfulness) on psychological wellbeing and mental health.
- ADHD & autism.
Current research
I am currently interested in investigating whether specific indices of arousal regulation (e.g., heart rate variability) can be used as diagnostic markers of emotional dysregulation and internalising symptoms, or to monitor interventional outcomes.
I aim to address these research questions by conducting evidence synthesis studies (e.g., systematic reviews and meta-analyses) and empirical studies.
Please, be in touch if you are interested to collaborate on any of these projects.
Research projects
Active projects
Publications
Teaching
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and I have recently completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE).
I have previously taught the following modules/workshops:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MSc module)
- Childhood Clinical and Behavioural Disorders (MSc module)
- Quantitative Methods (MSc module)
- MSc Final Research project (MSc module)
- Conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in R (workshop for PhD students and ECRs)
- Developmental Psychology (2nd year BSc Psychology)
- Biological Psychology (1st year BSc Psychology)