research
Sarah completed her PhD at the University of Sydney in 2023, leading a multisite randomised controlled trial of a digital treatment for Bulimia Nervosa. This work laid the foundation for her ongoing focus on translating evidence-based digital interventions into real-world clinical settings. She now leads a national research program evaluating the InsideOut eClinic, Australia’s first federally funded digital treatment platform for eating disorders, and oversees the implementation of digital therapies for binge eating-type disorders. Sarah also manages a clinical trial of a novel transdiagnostic intervention. With 24 peer-reviewed publications, over 340 citations, and 19 conference presentations, she has attracted over $65k in seed funding, reflecting a growing research program in digital innovation and the mechanisms underlying binge eating. Her PhD was recognised with awards from ANZAED Peter Beumont Young Investigator (2022) and the Rachel Bryant-Waugh Child and Adolescent Award at the London Eating Disorders Conference (2023).
Sarah's research seeks to understand ways to increase both the efficacy of and accessibility to evidence-based treatments. Sarah is interested in mechanistic questions of change in psychotherapy interventions and how we might be able to leverage therapeutic adjuncts or sophisticated statistical and digital technologies to develop idiographic, personalised treatments.
Sarah is avaliable for HDR and PhD supervision. Sarah is open to supervision related to her research interests. Please get in touch to discuss further.
This study seeks to develop a deep understanding of the biological, psychological and social factors contributing to an individual's eating disorder. Using this information, we plan to co-produce a universal measure of eating disorders.
The TailorED study tests innovative interventions for people with Bulimia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder who don't respond well to standard cognitive behavioural therapy, comparing personalised care with brain stimulation (TMS). This stepped-care approach aims to optimise treatment outcomes, reduce costs and waiting times, and provide evidence for tailoring care based on individual treatment response.
This study applies nutritional geometry to food diary records from 200 people with Binge Eating Disorder or Bulimia Nervosa to investigate whether insufficient protein intake drives overconsumption and loss of dietary control.
This project develops a data-driven model of treatment personalisation using pre-existing clinical datasets to identify individual-level intervention targets for eating disorders, followed by a pilot study assessing preliminary efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility.
The GP Hub and Tools research program evaluates a comprehensive, free, nationally available digital hub designed to support GPs in screening, assessing, diagnosing, and treating eating disorders through evidence-based tools, clinical decision support, and practice management resources. The program monitors engagement and outcomes to identify improvement opportunities, with the goal of increasing GPs' knowledge, confidence, and willingness to identify and manage eating disorders in primary care.
SkillED is an online CBT self-help program with 11 self-paced modules that evaluates innovative engagement strategies - including individual treatment choice and just-in-time adaptive interventions - to reduce dropout rates and improve adherence and outcomes for individuals aged 12+ experiencing eating disorder symptoms.
Our eClinic is a digital platform providing immediate access to evidence-based online interventions and self-monitoring tools for people with eating disorders at any point in their recovery journey, with a Health Professional Portal enabling clinician-guided support. This research establishes a comprehensive outcomes database from routinely collected eClinic data to analyse accessibility, usage, and treatment effectiveness, informing platform improvements and transforming service provision for underserved populations.
The My Diet Study is the first longitudinal, observational investigation of self-directed dieting patterns in young people aged 16-25, combining in-depth psychological and biological data to understand factors impacting dieting experiences. By examining natural dieting habits before eating disorders emerge, the research aims to identify biomarkers for risk, inform safety frameworks for young people's dieting, and establish evidence-based guidance for diet-based lifestyle interventions.
This study examines who is using GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) and their experiences, particularly regarding physical and mental health outcomes, side effects, and associations with disordered eating. Through surveys and interviews with users aged 18+, the research aims to identify the benefits and harms of these medications and provide insights into their real-world effects on health and wellbeing.
This project aims to improve treatment and early intervention of eating disorders in mainstream mental health settings nationally (Headspace, Medicare Mental Health, Head to Health and Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR)) by embedding evidence-based treatment in care and upskilling frontline mental health clinicians.
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Clinician Supported vs Self-Help Delivery of Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa
Barakat, S., Burton, A., Cunich, M., Hay, P., Hazelton, J., Kim, M., Lymer, S., Madden, S., Maloney, D., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Rogers, D., Russell, J., Touyz, S., & Maguire, S.
Psychiatry Research.
329.
Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Findings From a Rapid Review
Barakat, S., McLean, S. A., Bryant, E., Le, A., Marks, P., Touyz, S., Maguire, S., & Research Consortium
Journal of Eating Disorders.
11(1).
Evaluating the Role of Digital Intervention Design in Treatment Outcomes and Adherence to eTherapy Programs for Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Barakat, S., Maguire, S., Smith, K., Mason, T., Crosby, R., Touyz, S.
International Journal of Eating Disorders.
52(10).
User Experience and Therapeutic Alliance of Treatment Completers of Clinician‐Supported Versus Self‐Help Online Intervention for Eating Disorders: A Mixed Methods Approach
Barakat, S., Rom, S., Kim, M., Aouad, P., & Maguire, S.
European Eating Disorders Review.
33(4), 751 - 762.
Supported Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa: a Study Protocol of a Randomised Controlled Trial
Barakat, S., Touyz, S., Maloney, D., Russell, J., Hay, P., Cunich, M., Lymer, S., Kim, M., Madden, S., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Maguire, S.
Journal of Eating Disorders.
9(1), 126.
digital-mental-health
treatment-innovation
implementation-translation
understanding-illness-lived-experience
BPsych(Hons I), MClinPsych, PhD
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