Graduate Students
Laurence Cyr-Desautels
Laurence completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UQÀM and is currently a doctoral student in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D. Shrink.D.). She is interested in the socio-emotional functioning of children aged 6-12 in rehabilitation centre (group units and homes) and the relationship they have with their follow-up educator. It has developed an observational measurement tool that assesses both the quality of the child-educator relationship and the educator’s skills in a conflict resolution context. Her research interests include childhood abuse experiences, attachment, child-educator relationship and child social-emotional functioning.
Maude Archambault
Maude completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors at UQÀM and is pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D. Shrink.D.) co-directed by Sébastien Monette, Ph.D and Chantal Cyr, Ph.D. She is interested in the difficulties found in children followed by child protection services, particularly the reaction disorder of attachment and the disorder of disinhibition of social contact. His thesis focuses on the prevalence and evaluation of his disorders in Quebec.
Gabrielle Myre
Gabrielle completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminology at the University of Ottawa and is currently a doctoral student in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D. Shrink.D.) UQÀM. She is particularly interested in intergenerational trauma. Her thesis focuses on knowledge of safe scripts, parental sensitivity and the impact of the severity of childhood trauma on the parent-child relationship.
Valérie Langlois
Valérie Langlois obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors at UQÀM and is currently pursuing a doctorate in developmental psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.). She completed her honors thesis project on co-occurring diagnoses in young preschool children referred to child psychiatry, as well as on the quality of their family environment. Her doctoral research project aims to explore the links between problematic parenting behaviors in the context of abuse, young children’s development, and to examine the benefits of Relational Intervention for both child development and the quality of parenting behaviors. In parallel, she dedicates her clinical practice to children, adolescents, and adults who have been victims of abuse, while specializing in supporting parents struggling with substance abuse issues.
Solène Cognard-Bessette
Solène completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UQÀM and is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D. Shrink.D.). She has a strong interest in children reported to child protection services, particularly the psychosocial difficulties they may encounter and the relationship with their parent who may act as a protective factor. Her thesis focuses on the assessment of the so-called atypical behaviours that parents may have towards their child in order to promote a more appropriate intervention with these vulnerable families.
Elke Hearson
Elke completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UQÀM and is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.). She is interested in the parent-child relationship and attachment. More specifically, Elke is interested in the factors that promote effective intervention with populations at risk of abuse and neglect. Her thesis focuses on the characteristics of services offered to families of children aged 6-12 in child protection care that are associated with a lower risk of recurrence of maltreatment. She is also working on relational intervention with children aged 6-12 in child protection care.
Hélène Demers
Hélène Demers completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQÀM), where she is pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.) under the supervision of Dr. Chantal Cyr, Ph.D. Her doctoral project explores the socioemotional functioning profiles of children aged 6 to 12 placed in rehabilitation settings, emphasizing the links between their history of maltreatment and the quality of their relationship with their caregiver. She is also interested in the role of the caregiver’s psychological availability in the relationship between children’s attachment representations and their ability to rely on this caregiving figure.
Houria Bénard
After completing her undergraduate studies in education and psychology, Houria is pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., D.Psy.) with a focus on both developmental psychology and pediatric neuropsychology. For her thesis, she is interested in the neurobiological characteristics of children who are victims of maltreatment. Specifically, she examines the environmental risk factors for sensory hypersensitivity in children, as well as its moderating role in the effectiveness of Relational Intervention in parent-child dyads.
William Trottier-Dumont
William is a doctoral student at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, under the supervision of Ève-Line Bussières and Chantal Cyr, after completing his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Laval University. For his thesis project, William is interested in the attachment of children with autism spectrum disorder, specifically their stress responses during mother-child separations, as well as the factors that may modulate the links between maternal sensitivity and children’s attachment (e.g., temperament, intelligence, and adaptive functioning).
Alycia O’Leary
Alycia completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UQÀM, where she is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.), co-supervised by Chantal Cyr and Sébastien Monette. Her interests focus on children under the care of child protection services and the measurement of maltreatment these children experience. Through her doctoral thesis project, she will specifically examine psychological maltreatment and its potential effects on children in the care of child protection services.
Rosalie Michaud
Rosalie completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors and a concentration in feminist studies at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQÀM) and is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.), supervised by Dr. Chantal Cyr, Ph.D. Her doctoral project focuses on the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment, particularly the role of reflective functioning in the link between interpersonal trauma in a parent’s childhood and their sensitivity. Rosalie coordinates the Girafe project.
Catherine Richard
Catherine completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an honors profile at UQÀM and is currently beginning a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.), under the supervision of Chantal Cyr. Her doctoral research project aims to better understand the underlying mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of maltreatment. Specifically, she is interested in parental psychological distress and the quality of parent-child interaction. Catherine is currently the coordinator of the Girafe project.
Ariel Girodias
Ariel Girodias completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with honors at UQAM and is currently pursuing a doctorate in psychology (professional profile, Psy.D.) under the direction of Chantal Cyr. Her research focuses on children’s social relations, more precisely the parent-child’s interactions, and their impact on child development. Her doctoral project focuses on risk factors associated with documented parents in parental capacity assessment reports, and how these factors can predict placement recommendations made regarding the child’s care.
Rebeca Viana Vasconcelos
Rebeca completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.) at the Université du Québec à Montréal under the supervision of Dr. Chantal Cyr, Ph.D. Her doctoral project focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of Relational Intervention (RI) with young children who are victims of maltreatment and living in socioeconomically vulnerable contexts in Brazil. She is particularly interested in understanding how this approach promotes parental sensitivity and attachment, thereby supporting the development of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as examining the influence of parents’ own histories of maltreatment on intervention outcomes.
Undergraduate Students
Mathilde Raymond
Mathilde is an undergraduate student in psychology at UQAM. She also completed a technical program in special education. Mathilde is currently a research assistant at LEDEF and works on the Girafe project. She demonstrates a strong interest in helping relationships, particularly with children and adolescents living with adjustment difficulties. Child development and attachment are two subjects she is passionate about and wishes to focus her work on.
Annaëlle Fortier
Annaëlle is currently studying for her bachelor’s degree in psychology at UQÀM. She works as a research assistant in the LEDEF laboratory and is primarily involved in the Girafe Project. Her strong interest in children’s well-being is reflected in her studies, particularly on parent-child attachment. Passionate about relational dynamics and their impact on development, she aims to deepen her knowledge and considers pursuing a doctorate in psychology with a scientific-professional profile (Psy.D. and Ph.D.).
Christina Abi Karam
Christina is an undergraduate psychology student at UQAM. She is a research assistant at the LEDEF laboratory, where she mainly works on the project Girafe. Her research interests focus on child development, particularly in contexts of vulnerability. She is especially interested in risk and protective factors that influence children’s adaptation and well-being. She hopes to further her knowledge by pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D.)
Marie-Lune Asselin
Marie-Lune is a bachelor’s student in psychology at UQÀM. She is currently working as a research assistant on the Girafe project. She is strongly interested in parent-child attachment, particularly its effects on the development of relational skills and future dynamics. She is also interested in the psychological repercussions of these relationships, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations. She intends to pursue her studies with a doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy. D).
Émilie Chan Dallaire
Émilie is a undergraduate student in psychology at UQAM. She works as a research assistant for LEDEF, where she is actively working on the Girafe project. Animated by a keen interest for autism and behavioral disorders, she is also interested in intra-family relationships and the development of children growing up in contexts of maltreatment. Her approach is driven by a desire to better understand these realities and to contribute to the improvement of the well-being of people and the families concerned.
Juliette Blain
Juliette is a second year undergraduate student in psychology at UQAM. She is currently involved in the Girafe project. She has a strong interest in interventions with both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. Parent–child attachment as well as the impact of the family context on child development are subjects that particularly fascinate her. She would like to pursue her university studies with a doctorate in psychology (scientific-professional profile, Ph.D., Psy.D. ).
Élyse Lavoie
Élyse is an undergraduate student in sexology at UQAM. She also completed a certificate in Critical Studies of Sexualities. She works as a research assistant for LEDEF and is mainly involved in the Girafe project. She is particularly interested in sexual education, child development and attachment, as well as issues related to victimization and situations of vulnerability among young.
Observation Workshop
Anne Desjardins
Anne is an undergraduate student in psychology at UQAM. She is involved in LEDEF as part of her developmental observation workshop course. She works for the Girafe project as well as other projects at LEDEF. She is particularly interested in research on attachment, children’s emotional regulation in environments presenting risk factors as well as resilience factors in these children. She would like to continue her studies with a doctorate in psychology (Professional profile, Psy.D.) in the Development Section.
Nicolas Fontan
Nicolas is a third year undergraduate student in psychology and currently an intern for LEDEF as part of the observation workshop class in development psychology. He is passionate about human development, particularly from birth to early adulthood. He’s interested in the attachment theory and its application in the modern world. He participates in the Girafe Project, motivated by the advances of the project and by the collaboration with the participating families.
Leann Lafontaine
Leann is a third year undergraduate student in psychology at UQAM. She collaborates with us as part of the observation workshop course in development (PSY4904) and is involved in the Girafe project. She is mainly interested in child maltreatment, the consequences of colonization on educational practices as well as child development, especially in autistic children.
Former Graduate Students
Marie-Ève Allaire, Psy.D.
Allaire, Marie-Ève (2025). “The intergenerational transmission of disorganized attachment and dysregulated parental behaviors in the context of abuse” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, Doctorate in Psychology.
Nathalie Fortin, Psy.D.
Fortin, Nathalie (2024) “Promoting the attachment security of autistic children to their parents through online attachment video-feedback intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, Doctorate in Psychology.
Leatitia Melissande Amédée, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Amédée, Leatitia Mélissande (2024) “Self-regulation of child victims of sexual assault” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, Doctorate in Psychology.
Myriam Gaudreau, Psy.D.
Gaudreau, Myriam (2022). “Parental Sensitivity and Behavioral Problems in Young Children Adopted by Gay Fathers: A Comparative Quebec Study” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), Université du Québec à Montréal, Doctorate in Psychology.
Lory Zephyr, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Zephyr, Lory (2020). “The disorder of disinhibition of social contact: attachment to the figure of care and the quality of parental behaviours in abused children” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Aliya Mubarak, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Mubarak, Aliya (2020). “Sensory regulation and parent-child relationship in children (1 to 5 years) followed in child psychiatry” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Isabelle Boucher, Psy.D.
Boucher, Isabelle (2020). “History of childhood trauma and mental orientation in mothers of very young children reported for maltreatment” Thesis. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in psychology.
Valerie Losier, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Losier, Valerie (2019). “International adoption of children with a cleft palate: studies on the socio-emotional adaptation of the child and parental sensitivity” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Isabelle Morin, Psy.D.
Morin, Isabelle (2019). “Attachment and behavioural problems in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities housed in specialized residence: a case study and guidelines for clinical evaluation and intervention” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Marie Deschênes, Psy.D.
Deschênes, Marie (2019). “Marital satisfaction and parental stress as predictors of the alliance in the family triad: taking perspective as a moderator” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Eric Feugé, Ph.D.
Feugé, Eric (2018). “Parental engagement, gender roles and socio-emotional adaptation of adopted or adopted children by gay fathers” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Amélie Blondin, Psy.D.
Blondin, Amélie (2018). “The effectiveness of relational intervention with international adoptive parents and their children: an examination of parental sensitivity and investment” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Genevieve Michel, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Michel, Genevieve (2018). “The attachment representations and socio-emotional functioning in school-aged children: a meta-analysis and empirical study of children housed in the Montreal Youth Centre” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Marilyne Dumais, Ph.D. Psy.D.
Dumais, Marilyne (2017). “Attachment in institutionalized children in relation to the sensitivity of caregivers and the quality of the living environment” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Caroline Poulin, Psy.D.
Poulin, Caroline (2017). “The adaptation of school-aged children housed in youth centre: the roles of the severity of the abuse and the quality of the relationship between the child and his follow-up educator” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Michèle Sauvé, Psy.D.
Saved, Michèle (2016). “Traumas in childhood and hostile/powerless state of mind in parents of abused children with behavioural problems in preschool age” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Kim D’Amours, Psy.D.
D’Amours, Kim (2016). “Body images and intimacy to the best friend: a study on the attachment style of young Caucasian women from an urban background who frequent the Quebec colleges” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Katherine Pascuzzo, Ph.D.
Pascuzzo, Katherine (2012). “The longitudinal influence of attachment security towards parents and peers in adolescence on the individual’s adjustment to adulthood – Longitudinal influence of adolescent attachment security towards parents and peers on future adaptation in adulthood” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Nancy Rivard-Boulos, Psy.D.
Rivard Boulos, Nancy (2011). “Intervening according to the theory of attachment with the parent and his adopted child internationally: a case study” Thesis. Montreal (Quebec, Canada), University of Quebec in Montreal, PhD in Psychology.
Former Doctoral Trainees
Ane Eguren (Spain, 2022)
Eguren, A., Cyr, C., Dubois-Comtois, K., & Muela, A. (2023). Effects of the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention (AVI) on parents and children at risk of maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Abuse & Neglect, 106211.
doi : 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106121
Ane is currently a psychologist in Spain and a post-doctoral researcher with our LEDEF team.
Sabine van der Asdonk (Netherlands, 2018)
Van der Asdonk, S., Cyr, C., Alink, L. (2020). Improving parent-child interactions in maltreating families with the Attachment Video-feedback Intervention: Parental childhood trauma as a moderator of treatment effects.Attachment – Human Development, 1-21.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2020.1799047
Sabine is currently a postdoctoral researcher on a trauma and attachment intervention project for mothers and their young children who have experienced severe domestic violence.
Christine Degraux (Belgium, 2013)
Degraux, C., Deschênes, M., Cyr, C., Gauthier, J.-M. (2013) Attachment representations in children aged 3 to 8 in institutions[affiche]. 35th annual conference of the Quebec Society for Research in Psychology, Chicoutimi, Quebec.
Christine is the director of Atouts.be, a training and supervision centre for psychosocial youth workers in Liège, Belgium
