Meet the Lab

Dr. Stephanie Woolridge is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and the Director of the PAIR Lab. She is a clinical psychologist who completed her doctoral training at Queen’s University, residency at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. 

Her research focuses on recovery and social well-being in psychosis, with an emphasis on (1) clinical, neurocognitive, social cognitive, and interpersonal/stigma-related factors affecting relationships and social functioning; and (2) developing and evaluating interventions that support psychosocial recovery. Her work takes a particular focus on the formation and maintenance of intimate relationships for young adults experiencing early psychosis. She also investigates the way that social stigma towards psychosis can affect relationship development and outcomes. Complementing this work, Dr. Woolridge also pursues research on other aspects related to well-being and recovery in psychosis, including cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp), cognitive remediation, factors affecting the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in psychosis (e.g., therapeutic rapport, engagement), cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) in populations with psychosis, self-stigma in psychosis, and social well-being and relationships in other severe mental illnesses. Dr. Woolridge’s work has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). 

Benita is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Her research interests are in social psychology, particularly interpersonal relationships and in neurodivergence. 

Ishmal is an undergraduate student completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her research interests are centered on cross-cultural perspectives of schizophrenia. She aims to explore how different communities understand and support mental health.

Natasha is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Natasha's research has primarily focused on body dissatisfaction and social comparisons in women. She is interested in extending this research to understand how body satisfaction influences self-perceptions and relationship experiences among individuals with psychosis and other clinical settings.

Perla is a third-year psychology student at the University of Calgary. Her broader research interests include substance and behavioural addictions, family and sibling relationships involving individuals with developmental disabilities, and supportive social systems in recovery across multiple domains, with a particular interest in psychosis recovery. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, and catching up on the latest true-crime docuseries. 

Julia is an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary who is currently completing her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She is interested in exploring how the negative symptoms and cognitive impairments associated with psychosis can contribute to interpersonal struggles and isolation. In addition to this, Julia is also eager to understand how disrupted interpersonal relationships can impact and influence the development of other clinical diagnoses that can occur comorbidly with psychosis (i.e. mood disorders, substance use disorder, etc.). In her free time, Julia likes to volunteer at the Children's Cottage Society and read books about history.