Hi, I’m Helena.
I’m a Body Image Expert and Research Psychologist living in Bristol, in the UK. I’ve always been interested in mental health and hold a PhD, MSc, and BSc in Psychology. I’ve studied body image for over ten years, and my research focuses on developing evidence-based strategies to promote positive body image from the individual to societal and global level.
In order to develop effective strategies, I look at the impact of sociocultural influences, such as appearance ideals, social media, advertising, and the people around us. I’m also interested in culture-specific influences, and have been studying body image in Asia for some years, including the intersection between social justice and body image (such as pressures concerning skin colour).
My research also studies body image from a public health perspective, in order to improve understanding of the consequences of poor body image on physical and mental health across the lifespan. Conducting body image and mental health research with children, young people, adults, and groups with an altered appearance (such as breast cancer survivors), my research knowledge and expertise is diverse.
I’m passionate about working with businesses, NGOs and charities, to advise and help them integrate strategies that promote body confidence and appearance diversity in to their marketing and resources. Together, we can help foster a society where no one is held back by appearance concerns and appearance diversity is celebrated.
I love being invited to speak about body image and mental health at different events. I’ve been repeatedly told that I’m an engaging and thoughtful speaker. I can tailor my content to suit different audiences, and am happy to speak in different formats; from a solo presentation to participating in a panel discussion.
With many years of experience conducting psychological research, I have expert knowledge in both quantitative and qualitative methods, as evidenced by my diverse peer-reviewed publications. I can provide guidance on appropriate research methods to help answer your research question, in addition to helping interpret the findings and implications.
I regularly provide comment for different media outlets and my research has been featured in international press. I have also been invited to speak about body image and mental health more broadly on podcasts. In my spare time, you can find me out walking my dog, exploring new countries, or buying too many houseplants!