
Dr Helen Bould
BA, BmBCH, MA
Current positions
Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Contact
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Research interests
I am an Associate Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Much of my research to date has used epidemiology and experimental psychology/cognitive neuroscience to develop a better understanding of the aetiology of eating disorders, with the aim of enabling the development of better prevention and treatment interventions in this field. My PhD used cognitive neuroscience techniques to investigate how women perceive their own and others bodies, and whether it is possible to shift their perception of body size. I have also used large data sets to study the aetiology of eating disorders, including demonstrating for the first time the relationship between eating disorders and schools.
In my current role as an NIHR Advanced Fellow, I am using the Person-based Approach to develop novel Virtual Reality interventions to treat eating disorders.
I also work clinically as an honorary Consultant Psychiatrist in Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
The Environment And Eating Disorders: Developing Novel Collaborations And Measurements
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/06/2023 to 31/05/2026
“Can sharing app data assist communication and rapport between young people and mental health practitioners and enhance clinical consultations?
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/02/2022 to 25/07/2022
Eating Disorder Stakeholder Group
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
31/03/2021 to 31/07/2021
Rework of Self-harm and eating disorders: are they associated with earlier emotional dysregulation
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
16/09/2019 to 09/02/2022
Thesis supervisions
Publications
Recent publications
07/01/2025The clinical and cost effectiveness of a STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Demographic, socioeconomic and life-course risk factors for internalized weight stigma in adulthood
The Lancet Regional Health - Europe
Exploring How Virtual Reality Could Be Used to Treat Eating Disorders
JMIR
Mental Health Practitioners’ Training Needs and Preferences for Addressing Online Use with Children and Young People
Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Qualitative study of the impact on recovery of peer relationships between female inpatients during treatment for anorexia nervosa in the United Kingdom
International Journal of Eating Disorders