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.
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.
In Recruitment
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.
In Progress
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.
In Progress
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.
In Recruitment
The InsideOut eClinic is a free online platform that provides Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)-based eTherapy programs for individuals experiencing body image or eating concerns, support for carers, and tools for clinicians supporting people with eating disorders or disordered eating.
In Recruitment
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.
In Progress
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.
In Progress
The Upskilling Project aims to improve treatment and early intervention of eating disorders in mainstream mental health settings nationally by embedding evidence-based treatment in care and upskilling frontline mental health clinicians.
Complete
Exploring bi-directional impacts of Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate on psychological comorbidities and quality of life in people with Binge Eating Disorder
Griffiths, K. R., Boulet, S., Barakat, S., Touyz, S., Hay, P., Maguire, S., & Kohn, M. R.
Journal of Eating Disorders.
12(1), 80.
The acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a supported online self-help treatment program for binge-eating disorder.
Rom, S., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Barakat, S., Aouad, P., Kim, M., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., & Maguire, S.
Frontiers in Psychiatry.
14: 1229261.
A randomised controlled trial of clinician supported vs self-help delivery of online cognitive behaviour therapy for Bulimia Nervosa.
Barakat, S., Burton, A. L., Cunich, M., Hay, P., Hazelton, J. L., Kim, M., Lymer, S., Madden, S., Maloney, D., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Rogers, D., Russell, J., Sidari, M., Touyz, S., & Maguire, S.
Psychiatry Research.
329: 115534.
Evaluating the feasibility and potential efficacy of a brief eTherapy for binge-eating disorder: A pilot study
Rom, S., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Barakat, S., Aouad, P., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., & Maguire, S.
International Journal of Eating Disorders.
55(11): 1614 - 20.
The Role of Regular Eating and Self-Monitoring in the Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa: A Pilot Study of an Online Guided Self-Help CBT Program
Barakat, S., Maguire, S., Surgenor, L., Donnelly, B., Miceska, B., Fromholtz, K., Russell, J., Hay, P., & Touyz, S.
Behavioural Science (Basel, Switzerland).
7(3): 39.
My Diet Study: protocol for a two-part observational, longitudinal, psycho-biological study of dieting in Australian youth
Okada M, Pehlivan MJ, Miskovic-Wheatley J, Barakat S, Griffiths KR, Touyz SW, Simpson SJ, Maguire S, Holmes AJ.
Frontiers in Public Health.
11: 1281855.
Eating Disorder Risk Among Australian Youth Starting a Diet in the Community
Pehlivan, M. J., Okada, M., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Barakat, S., Touyz, S., Simpson, S. J., Griffiths, K., Holmes, A., & Maguire, S.
Appetite.
203, 107685.
My Diet Study: Protocol for a Two-Part Observational, Longitudinal, Psycho-Biological Study of Dieting in Australian Youth
Okada, M., Pehlivan, M. J., Miskovic-Wheatley, J., Barakat, S., Griffiths, K. R., Touyz, S. W., Simpson, S. J., Maguire, S., & Holmes, A. J.
Frontiers in Public Health.
11, 1281855.
What Kind of Illness is Anorexia Nervosa? Revisited: Some Preliminary Thoughts to Finding a Cure.
Touyz S, Bryant E, Dann KM, Polivy J, Le Grange D, Hay P, Lacey H, Aouad P, Barakat S, Miskovic-Wheatley J, Griffiths K, Carroll B, Calvert S, Maguire S.
Journal of Eating Disorders.
11(1), 221.
Treating the Individual: Moving Towards Personalised Eating Disorder Care
Bryant E, Marks P, Griffiths K, Boulet S, Pehlivan M, Barakat S, Touyz S, Maguire S.
Journal of Eating Disorders.
13(1), 63.
digital-mental-health
treatment-innovation
implementation-translation
understanding-illness-lived-experience
BPsych(Hons I), MClinPsych, PhD
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