The science of mind-body health
The Mind-Body Research in Health Laboratory (MiRth) team is a group of world-class researchers specialising in health and clinical psychology and behavioural medicine, studying the mind-body interactions in a variety of contexts, and developing supportive therapies for debilitating chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, endometriosis and cancer.
MiRth members are fascinated by the bi-directional links between the brain and other major body systems. Through our work, we describe and try to understand what the mind-body connection means for the treatment of physical and mental health symptoms.
In our interventional studies, we don’t favour one specific psychotherapeutic approach, and are interested in developing condition-specific cognitive-behavioural, acceptance commitment, mindfulness and hypnotherapy approaches. We are passionate about exploring the efficacy of mind-body therapies such as yoga, expressive writing, forest therapy, cold-water swimming and animal therapy to improve the wellbeing of people living with chronic conditions.
The interventions we test are co-developed with our consumer partners and advocacy groups, as well as our clinical and scientific collaborators in Australia and around the world. We disseminate our work widely including via consumer organisations, scientific journals, books and public-focused publications.
Contact
mirthlab@deakin.edu.au