Episode 149: Vincent Santiago

Vincent Santiago is a Ph.D. student in clinical psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Toronto, Canada. His research interests include eating disorders, food addiction, body image, bariatric surgery, health psychology, anxiety disorders, LGBTQ+ health, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing.   In this episode, Vincent describes his doctoral dissertation project, a randomized controlled trial that explored the use of an intervention for food addiction (the concept that individuals can be addicted to foods, particularly highly processed foods). This intervention combined Adapted Motivational Interviewing, a person-centered counseling approach, and CBT skills for eating-related issues, with a focus on harm reduction and moderation. Vincent’s master’s thesis explored psychosocial factors, such as attachment style and emotion regulation, related to cigarette smoking following bariatric surgery. For his undergraduate thesis, he studied the influence of video messages on healthier eating among students who engaged in restrained and unrestrained eating. Clinical Interests Vincent’s clinical interests include the assessment and treatment of various mental health issues, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He is particularly interested in using approaches from CBT, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Vincent completed his predoctoral internship at the London Clinical Psychology Residency Consortium in London, Ontario, and practicum placements at: (1) the Psychology Training Clinic within the Department of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital; (2) the Intensive Residential and Day Treatment Program for OCD at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and (3) the Eating Disorders Program at Toronto General Hospital, where he currently works as a Mental Health Clinician. Vincent was also involved as a study therapist at TMU in clinical trials providing CBT related to post-bariatric surgery issues, as well as social anxiety disorder, substance use, and HIV sexual risk behavior. Professional and Community Involvement Vincent is committed to fostering the growth of psychology and those interested in the field. He is involved in mentorship programs with undergraduates, graduate students, and early career psychologists as part of the TMU Psychology Graduate Students’ Association, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the American Psychological Association (APA). He served a 2-year term as a Student Representative in the Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centres section of the CPA. Vincent co-organized the inaugural "Diversifying Psychology Recruitment Event" at TMU in 2020. The goal of this event was to provide more information about applying to graduate school for students from traditionally underrepresented groups, particularly students identifying as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Colour. Vincent previously volunteered in LGBTQ+ organizations that offer peer support, workshops, and social activities in the community.

 

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