Meet the Team
Diane LaChapelle, PhD, L. Psyc
Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training
Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
My research interests fall in the area of health and rehabilitation psychology focusing on adjustment to chronic illness and disability. I am particularly interested in:
My research is founded in social psychological, health/rehabilitation, cognitive-behavioural, and acceptance and commitment based theories.
Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training
Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
- BSc (Hons) McMaster University (Hamilton, ON),
- MA & PhD (Clinical Psychology) University of Regina (Regina, SK),
- L.Psyc. (New Brunswick)
My research interests fall in the area of health and rehabilitation psychology focusing on adjustment to chronic illness and disability. I am particularly interested in:
- adjustment to chronic pain and disability
- assessment/treatment of pain when there are communication impairments
- acceptance of chronic pain and disability
- perceptions of persons with disabilities
- community access/resources for persons with disabilities
- impact of disability on interpersonal relationships
- impact of disability on self-perceptions, shame
My research is founded in social psychological, health/rehabilitation, cognitive-behavioural, and acceptance and commitment based theories.
Current Graduate and Post-doctoral Students
Julia Keilty, BA (Hons)
PhD Student Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
BA (Hons) University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, NB)
Julia completed her undergraduate degree at UNB Fredericton, where her research explored the effects of anxiety sensitivity and pain anxiety on sexual functioning and sexual pain. Since entering the program in 2020, she has been working towards her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Julia has received clinical training to date at UNB's Psychological Wellness Centre. Her research interests involve examining shared risk factors in the co-occurence of chronic pain and mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders. Currently, her research is focused on evaluating the treatment needs of veterans with chronic pain. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters), Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick for their generous contributions to her education and research.
PhD Student Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
BA (Hons) University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, NB)
Julia completed her undergraduate degree at UNB Fredericton, where her research explored the effects of anxiety sensitivity and pain anxiety on sexual functioning and sexual pain. Since entering the program in 2020, she has been working towards her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Julia has received clinical training to date at UNB's Psychological Wellness Centre. Her research interests involve examining shared risk factors in the co-occurence of chronic pain and mental disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders. Currently, her research is focused on evaluating the treatment needs of veterans with chronic pain. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters), Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick for their generous contributions to her education and research.
Jenna Wright, BA (Hons)
PhD Student Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
BA (Hons) St. Francis Xavier University
Jenna completed her undergraduate work at St. Francis Xavier university and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Jenna has completed therapy and assessment practica at the Psychological Wellness Centre on UNB’s Fredericton campus, as well as her advanced practicum at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (Horizon Health). She has also worked at the Psychological Wellness Centre as a student supervisor overseeing the work of other students completing assessments and as a co-facilitator for Teen Group, a therapy group for teens with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Her research has thus far drawn from the fields of health psychology and neuropsychology and her dissertation focuses on the cognitive assessment practices of Canadian psychologists. She is very grateful for the funding support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick.
PhD Student Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
BA (Hons) St. Francis Xavier University
Jenna completed her undergraduate work at St. Francis Xavier university and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology. Jenna has completed therapy and assessment practica at the Psychological Wellness Centre on UNB’s Fredericton campus, as well as her advanced practicum at the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation (Horizon Health). She has also worked at the Psychological Wellness Centre as a student supervisor overseeing the work of other students completing assessments and as a co-facilitator for Teen Group, a therapy group for teens with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Her research has thus far drawn from the fields of health psychology and neuropsychology and her dissertation focuses on the cognitive assessment practices of Canadian psychologists. She is very grateful for the funding support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick.
Recent Graduate Students
Lyndsay Crump, PhD Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
Lyndsay completed her undergraduate work at York University, where her research explored how couples' sense of togetherness is affected by cancer. Lyndsay has received clinical training at UNB's Psychological Wellness Center, Horizon Health Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health, UNB's Counselling Service Centre, and Canadian Forces Base: Gagetown. Currently, her research is focused on chronic pain and posttraumatic stress. She is especially interested in working with military and first responder populations. Lyndsay has presented her research at local, national, and international conferences, and has published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters, Doctoral), New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, the University of New Brunswick, and other supporters for their generous contributions to her education and research. Lyndsay completed her pre-doctoral CPA accredited residency at Waterloo Regional Psychology Consortium and completed her doctoral degree shortly thereafter. She currently works as a clinician primarily with Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans, and first responders. She continues to be actively involved in research with the UNB Research Lab.
Jennifer Sorochan, PhD Clinical Psychology
Jen completed her dissertations entitled 'The impact of executive function: Extending the theory of planned behaviour to understand concussion reporting among university athletes' in 2022. She is currently working as a clinician in Ontario.
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
- BA (Hons) York University (Toronto, ON)
Lyndsay completed her undergraduate work at York University, where her research explored how couples' sense of togetherness is affected by cancer. Lyndsay has received clinical training at UNB's Psychological Wellness Center, Horizon Health Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health, UNB's Counselling Service Centre, and Canadian Forces Base: Gagetown. Currently, her research is focused on chronic pain and posttraumatic stress. She is especially interested in working with military and first responder populations. Lyndsay has presented her research at local, national, and international conferences, and has published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters, Doctoral), New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, the University of New Brunswick, and other supporters for their generous contributions to her education and research. Lyndsay completed her pre-doctoral CPA accredited residency at Waterloo Regional Psychology Consortium and completed her doctoral degree shortly thereafter. She currently works as a clinician primarily with Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans, and first responders. She continues to be actively involved in research with the UNB Research Lab.
Jennifer Sorochan, PhD Clinical Psychology
Jen completed her dissertations entitled 'The impact of executive function: Extending the theory of planned behaviour to understand concussion reporting among university athletes' in 2022. She is currently working as a clinician in Ontario.
Kirsten Gullickson, PhD Clinical Psychology
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
As an undergraduate at the University of Regina, Kirsten's Honours research explored the implications of healthy anxiety following breast cancer diagnosis. Since entering the program in 2013, Kirsten has been working towards her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Kirsten has received clinical training to date at the following sites: UNB's Psychological Wellness Center, Horizon Health Inpatient Health Psychology, and Horizon Health's Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit. Thus far, Kirsten has investigated the acceptance process for partners of individuals with arthritis. Kirsten is currently developing and evaluating a self-report measure of partner acceptance of chronic pain. Her dissertation title is: "Development and Validation of the Partner Acceptance Scale for Chronic Pain." Her research has been presented at local, national, and international conferences, and has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters), New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick for their generous contributions to her education and research. Kirsten completed her predoctoral internship at the Edmonton Consortium Clinical Psychology Residency in September 2019. She completed her PhD in 2020 and is currently working in a rehabilitation centre in Saskatchewan.
Previous Degrees/Licensing/Training Obtained:
- BA (Hons) University of Regina (Regina, SK)
As an undergraduate at the University of Regina, Kirsten's Honours research explored the implications of healthy anxiety following breast cancer diagnosis. Since entering the program in 2013, Kirsten has been working towards her PhD in Clinical Psychology. Kirsten has received clinical training to date at the following sites: UNB's Psychological Wellness Center, Horizon Health Inpatient Health Psychology, and Horizon Health's Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit. Thus far, Kirsten has investigated the acceptance process for partners of individuals with arthritis. Kirsten is currently developing and evaluating a self-report measure of partner acceptance of chronic pain. Her dissertation title is: "Development and Validation of the Partner Acceptance Scale for Chronic Pain." Her research has been presented at local, national, and international conferences, and has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. She is very grateful for the support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Masters), New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, and the University of New Brunswick for their generous contributions to her education and research. Kirsten completed her predoctoral internship at the Edmonton Consortium Clinical Psychology Residency in September 2019. She completed her PhD in 2020 and is currently working in a rehabilitation centre in Saskatchewan.
Undergraduate Students
2021-2022
Kayla Millar: Honours student
Kayla completed her undergraduate degree at UNB Fredericton. She completed her honours thesis with Dr. Diane LaChapelle and Dr. Lyndsay Crump which examined how individuals with fibromyalgia described their experience of cognitive dysfunction and its impact on their lived experience. This research will be presented at the IASP World Congress on Pain in September, 2022. Her research interests include chronic pain and pain perception. She continues to be involved in research with the Rehabilitation Lab as a volunteer. Kayla was the recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick Silver Medal-Arts (2021-2022).
2021
Aliya Ouellette Boake: Basic Research Student
2017-2018
Samantha Landry: Honours student
Samantha is a 4th year undergraduate psychology student currently completing her honours thesis with Dr. LaChapelle. Over the past three years, Samantha has been involved in data collection and analysis for other Rehab Lab projects. Recently, she presented results from a study exploring illness competition in fibromyalgia Facebook support groups at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Halifax. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology following completion of her undergraduate degree.
2016-2017
Samantha Landry: Basic Research Student
Miriam Stanulla (visiting student: Universität Erfurt Germany): Research Intern
2015-2016
Laurel Kasper: Basic Research Student
2014-2015
Jennifer Sanford: Basic Research Student
Elladee Windsor: Work-Study Student
Kayla Millar: Honours student
Kayla completed her undergraduate degree at UNB Fredericton. She completed her honours thesis with Dr. Diane LaChapelle and Dr. Lyndsay Crump which examined how individuals with fibromyalgia described their experience of cognitive dysfunction and its impact on their lived experience. This research will be presented at the IASP World Congress on Pain in September, 2022. Her research interests include chronic pain and pain perception. She continues to be involved in research with the Rehabilitation Lab as a volunteer. Kayla was the recipient of the Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick Silver Medal-Arts (2021-2022).
2021
Aliya Ouellette Boake: Basic Research Student
2017-2018
Samantha Landry: Honours student
Samantha is a 4th year undergraduate psychology student currently completing her honours thesis with Dr. LaChapelle. Over the past three years, Samantha has been involved in data collection and analysis for other Rehab Lab projects. Recently, she presented results from a study exploring illness competition in fibromyalgia Facebook support groups at the Canadian Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Halifax. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree in clinical psychology following completion of her undergraduate degree.
2016-2017
Samantha Landry: Basic Research Student
Miriam Stanulla (visiting student: Universität Erfurt Germany): Research Intern
2015-2016
Laurel Kasper: Basic Research Student
2014-2015
Jennifer Sanford: Basic Research Student
Elladee Windsor: Work-Study Student
Volunteers and Work Study Students
2015-2016
Laurel Kasper
Molly Jackson
Bailey Rhindress
Lily Fletcher
Samantha Landry
Megan Roussy
2014-2015
Melanie Roach
Laurel Kasper
Jennifer Sanford
Molly Jackson
Megan Roussy
Bailey Rhindress
Laurel Kasper
Molly Jackson
Bailey Rhindress
Lily Fletcher
Samantha Landry
Megan Roussy
2014-2015
Melanie Roach
Laurel Kasper
Jennifer Sanford
Molly Jackson
Megan Roussy
Bailey Rhindress
Lab Alumni
Molly Jackson (volunteer): BSc. UNB, Dalhousie Medical School (2017-)
Molly began volunteering with the Rehab Lab in 2015, and has been consistently hard-working and dedicated in her work on various lab projects. In March 2017, the lab celebrated Molly's admission to medical school at Dalhousie University.
Megan Roussy (volunteer): BSc. UNB, University of Western Ontario
Megan volunteered in the Rehab Lab for roughly two years, during which time she made valuable contributions to ongoing projects. Megan is currently pursuing graduate studies in neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario. Congratulations Megan!
Pablo Santos Iglesias, PhD: Banting Post-Doctoral Fellow (2013-2015)
Pablo was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of New Brunswick working with Dr. Sandra Byers and Dr. LaChapelle. He began his doctoral studies in November 2005 at the University of Granada (Spain) after completing his undergraduate psychology degree at the University of Salamanca (Spain). In November 2007, he received his Masters in Research Design and Applications to Psychology and Health. He received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Granada in 2012, and subsequently completed a post-doctoral research program here at UNB examining factors affecting the sexual well-being of people living with fibromyalgia and their partners. Pablo is currently working as a fellow at the University of Calgary (Alberta).
S. Jeff Bailey, PhD
Jeff successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Clinical Psychology at UNB in 2015. He previously completed a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology at Acadia University. His dissertation examined the relationship between observers perceptions of injustice and their assessment of and reactions to a soldier's pain. He found that when observers believed the soldier's pain was unjust (i.e., the military did something to cause the pain), they responded with more supportive emotions (i.e., more sympathy) and behaviours (higher likelihood to recommend compensation). In other research he explored the role of attachment styles in the development of chronic illnesses, the relationship between attachment dimensions and reactions to others' pain, and the quality of pain-related information available to consumers online.
Jeff currently works as a clinician in Nova Scotia.
Marcie Balch, PhD
Marcie completed her B.A. Honours at Queen's University in Kingston, ON and completed her PhD in clinical psychology at UNB in October, 2014. Her dissertation, titled Global Self-Worth in Adolescents with Chronic Illness, focused on the self-perceptions of youth with chronic illness (arthritis, diabetes, and asthma). Utilizing Harter's Model of self-worth, Marcie found that having a chronic illness does not invariably place a youth at risk for lower global self-worth. Rather, like those without a chronic illness, factors such as male gender, a higher level of autonomy, and a lower level of depressive symptoms are the most salient factors that promote positive global self-worth among youth with chronic illness. In addition, higher physical health-related quality of life, especially less pain, may be associated with higher global self-worth due to fewer depressive symptoms. Her other research projects included examining the personality characteristics of sports officials and researching physical activity and mental health in adolescents. Marcie’s research and doctoral studies were funded by a UNB Arts Assistantship and several scholarships, many of which were awarded in recognition of her outstanding leadership abilities and contributions to the department and broader communities (Residence Award for Outstanding Leadership, Snodgrass Award for Service to the Department, Alumni Award of Merit, and Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Graduate Student Award of Merit).
Marcie is currently working as a clinician in Nova Scotia and teaches part-time at Saint Mary's and Mount St. Vincent Universities.
Susan Lavoie, PhD
Susan completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at UNB in 2013. Her dissertation research focused on perceptions of women with arthritis and Fibromyalgia including a comparison of the perceptions of community members who have a close personal relationship with someone living with chronic pain and those with no personal experience. Her findings revealed that having a visible cue to chronic pain (e.g., a cane) led others to view the pain condition as more severe but also led to negative views about the person's personal characteristics. Her previous research projects have included how women cope with chronic depression and how women come to accept living with Fibromyalgia. Susan’s research and doctoral studies were funded by a UNB, Arts Assistantship, a UNB board of governor's merit award, and the O’Brian Foundation. She also received a conference travel award from the Canadian Pain Society, the Snodgrass research proposal award, and a Council of Canadian Departments of Psychology award for teaching excellence.
Susan currently works as a clinician in Nova Scotia.
Molly began volunteering with the Rehab Lab in 2015, and has been consistently hard-working and dedicated in her work on various lab projects. In March 2017, the lab celebrated Molly's admission to medical school at Dalhousie University.
Megan Roussy (volunteer): BSc. UNB, University of Western Ontario
Megan volunteered in the Rehab Lab for roughly two years, during which time she made valuable contributions to ongoing projects. Megan is currently pursuing graduate studies in neuroscience at the University of Western Ontario. Congratulations Megan!
Pablo Santos Iglesias, PhD: Banting Post-Doctoral Fellow (2013-2015)
Pablo was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of New Brunswick working with Dr. Sandra Byers and Dr. LaChapelle. He began his doctoral studies in November 2005 at the University of Granada (Spain) after completing his undergraduate psychology degree at the University of Salamanca (Spain). In November 2007, he received his Masters in Research Design and Applications to Psychology and Health. He received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Granada in 2012, and subsequently completed a post-doctoral research program here at UNB examining factors affecting the sexual well-being of people living with fibromyalgia and their partners. Pablo is currently working as a fellow at the University of Calgary (Alberta).
S. Jeff Bailey, PhD
Jeff successfully defended his doctoral thesis in Clinical Psychology at UNB in 2015. He previously completed a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology at Acadia University. His dissertation examined the relationship between observers perceptions of injustice and their assessment of and reactions to a soldier's pain. He found that when observers believed the soldier's pain was unjust (i.e., the military did something to cause the pain), they responded with more supportive emotions (i.e., more sympathy) and behaviours (higher likelihood to recommend compensation). In other research he explored the role of attachment styles in the development of chronic illnesses, the relationship between attachment dimensions and reactions to others' pain, and the quality of pain-related information available to consumers online.
Jeff currently works as a clinician in Nova Scotia.
Marcie Balch, PhD
Marcie completed her B.A. Honours at Queen's University in Kingston, ON and completed her PhD in clinical psychology at UNB in October, 2014. Her dissertation, titled Global Self-Worth in Adolescents with Chronic Illness, focused on the self-perceptions of youth with chronic illness (arthritis, diabetes, and asthma). Utilizing Harter's Model of self-worth, Marcie found that having a chronic illness does not invariably place a youth at risk for lower global self-worth. Rather, like those without a chronic illness, factors such as male gender, a higher level of autonomy, and a lower level of depressive symptoms are the most salient factors that promote positive global self-worth among youth with chronic illness. In addition, higher physical health-related quality of life, especially less pain, may be associated with higher global self-worth due to fewer depressive symptoms. Her other research projects included examining the personality characteristics of sports officials and researching physical activity and mental health in adolescents. Marcie’s research and doctoral studies were funded by a UNB Arts Assistantship and several scholarships, many of which were awarded in recognition of her outstanding leadership abilities and contributions to the department and broader communities (Residence Award for Outstanding Leadership, Snodgrass Award for Service to the Department, Alumni Award of Merit, and Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Graduate Student Award of Merit).
Marcie is currently working as a clinician in Nova Scotia and teaches part-time at Saint Mary's and Mount St. Vincent Universities.
Susan Lavoie, PhD
Susan completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at UNB in 2013. Her dissertation research focused on perceptions of women with arthritis and Fibromyalgia including a comparison of the perceptions of community members who have a close personal relationship with someone living with chronic pain and those with no personal experience. Her findings revealed that having a visible cue to chronic pain (e.g., a cane) led others to view the pain condition as more severe but also led to negative views about the person's personal characteristics. Her previous research projects have included how women cope with chronic depression and how women come to accept living with Fibromyalgia. Susan’s research and doctoral studies were funded by a UNB, Arts Assistantship, a UNB board of governor's merit award, and the O’Brian Foundation. She also received a conference travel award from the Canadian Pain Society, the Snodgrass research proposal award, and a Council of Canadian Departments of Psychology award for teaching excellence.
Susan currently works as a clinician in Nova Scotia.