Elnaz Moghimi PhD

Scientist.

I focus on improving mental health care.

As a research scientist at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, I am responsible for developing a program focused on improving patient care. Acknowledging the social, environmental, and personal aspects of mental health allows me to adopt an intersectional approach that advocates for equitable care. Trained as a qualitative scientist, I work with an amazing team of researchers, support staff, and partners to develop studies and initiatives that can result in large-scale and actionable changes to our mental health care system. My current research pursuits include youth mental health, patient-oriented research in forensic contexts, intimate partner violence, and digital therapeutics in healthcare settings.

Prior to my current role, my PhD dissertation was conducted at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where I worked closely with women diagnosed with binge eating disorder. Exploring their lived experiences with pharmaco- and psychological therapies shed light on the need for more accessible and optimized mental health care.

During my postdoctoral fellowship, I worked closely with the Canadian startup company, OPTT, to assess the efficacy of online psychotherapy and mental health programs in different populations. As part of the Queen’s University Online Psychotherapy Lab, I was trained in cognitive behavioural therapy and digital mental health therapies. Working with different populations (including post-secondary students and correctional workers), enabled me to appreciate the importance of patient-centred and co-creative approaches to improving care.