Sereena Pigeon
Sereena Pigeon is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. For her PhD research, Sereena seeks to better understand the impacts of intergenerational child maltreatment and mother-youth relationship quality on developing attachment security in emerging adulthood. Her research also aims to explore how emerging adults with child maltreatment histories transition from experiences of adversity to resilience in their adult romantic relationships and friendships. Prior to her PhD work, Sereena completed a master’s degree in Psychiatry at McGill University, where she studied memory reconsolidation therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder and romantic attachment injuries.
Audrey Kern
Audrey Kern is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. She also completed her master’s degree in Counselling Psychology with Dr. Langevin. Audrey’s research examines intergenerational patterns of child maltreatment within Montreal families involved with Child Protective Services. She also researches the intergenerational impacts of child maltreatment on child mental health. She is interested in transforming her research into accessible modalities for the public and clinical use to inform prevention initiatives.
Marie-Emma Gagné
Marie-Emma Gagné is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her research documents the adaptation and implementation of a trauma-informed framework in a community organization offering medical and psycho-social services to young mothers and their infants. Marie-Emma previously completed her master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at McGill University (clinical program).
Alesha Frederickson
Alesha Frederickson is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. She is interested in investigating how childhood sexual abuse impacts individuals during pregnancy, labour, and future parent-child attachment. She also completed her Master’s degree with Dr. Langevin, where she did an integrative review of the literature on which aspects during the perinatal period (re)traumatize child sexual abuse survivors. Previously, she completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Winnipeg, where her thesis explored women’s feelings of threat and belonging in gym environments.
Sebastian Kay
Sebastian Kay is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. His research is concerned with the impacts of childhood neglect on physical health, as well as the degree to which such consequences may contribute to the perpetuation of neglect victimization across generations. Prior to beginning his Ph.D., Sebastian also completed his Master’s degree at McGill University under the supervision of Dr. Martin Drapeau, where he conducted a national survey investigating therapist perspectives on the future state of Canadian psychotherapy. Sebastian completed his Honours B.Sc. in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour at McMaster University, where he carried out research examining the impacts of early life stress on microbiota-gut-brain axis function, neurochemistry, immunity, and behaviour.
Teresa Pirro
Teresa Pirro is a PhD candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her research interests are to examine romantic satisfaction and help-seeking experiences in middle-aged mothers, with and without histories of child maltreatment. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a double minor in Behavioural Science and Education at McGill University, a Master of Arts in Child Studies (Thesis Option) at Concordia University, and a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her Master’s thesis at Concordia University investigated interpersonal disagreements in conversations between mothers and their children. Her Master’s project, under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Langevin, at McGill University, examined the associations between maternal histories of different forms of child maltreatment, dissociation, and early mother-infant bonding during the perinatal period.
Olivia Mazzarello
Olivia Mazzarello is a PhD student in the Counselling Psychology program at McGill University. She previously earned both her Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology and her Bachelor of Science in Honours Psychology from McGill. Her master’s research examined the associations between parental experiences of childhood maltreatment and the placement outcomes of children involved with child protective services. Building on this work, her doctoral research aims to deepen our understanding of the placement outcomes and decision-making processes for children involved with Child Protective Services who are placed in kinship care.
Sophie Beaudette
Sophie Beaudette is a PsyD student in the Counselling Psychology program at McGill University. Her research interests include parenting and child maltreatment-related social norms, the long-term effects of childhood emotional maltreatment and improving clinical services for individuals with complex trauma. Prior to beginning her doctoral training, Sophie completed an MA in Counselling Psychology under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Langevin, which focused on childhood emotional maltreatment, adult attachment, and romantic relationship satisfaction among young adults. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.
Laura Pareja Conto
Laura Pareja Conto is a PhD student in Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her doctoral research focuses on the adaptation and implementation of trauma-informed care training for service providers in community organizations working with young mothers and their children. She is also interested in exploring communities of practice as a way to support and strengthen the implementation of trauma-informed care. Prior to her PhD work, Laura completed an Honours degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Child Studies at Concordia University, where she examined youths’ perspectives on punitive and restorative justice models in schools and beyond. Broadly, Laura is deeply interested in interventions and programs that can have a positive impact on the lives of young people, particularly minoritized adolescents..
Chelsea Cuffaro
Chelsea Cuffaro is an MA student in the Counselling Psychology program at McGill University. Her research focuses on the impacts of a trauma-informed care training program on the well-being and attitudes of practitioners working in community organizations. Before joining the lab, Chelsea worked at the Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health as a Lived Experience Coordinator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology from Concordia University where her thesis focused on mental health help-seeking behaviour among emerging adult university students.