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Cintia Faija

Dr Cintia Faija
PhD, CPsychol

Lecturer in Clinical Psychology & DClinPsy Research Tutor Year 3
Primary Care & Mental Health

Research

Over the years, I conducted research applied to common mental health problems, eating disorders and psychological therapy context.

I use a range of methodologies, with specialist expertise in qualitative research and knowledge and understanding in psychometric evaluation. My work often involves integrating qualitative methods within randomised controlled trials to explore mechanisms of action, feasibility, acceptability, and the implementation of psychological interventions.

Research Interests
• Mental health and emotional processes
• Psychological therapies and long-term recovery
• Improving care quality and service delivery
• Psychometrics and outcome measurement
• Translating research into practice in global mental health settings

PhD Supervision
I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in these areas.

Mental Health

Mental Health and Emotional Processes
Exploring the role of emotional processes in the development and maintenance of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. This includes investigating how emotions such as pride, shame, and guilt influence mental health and treatment engagement.

Psychological Therapies and Long-Term Recovery
Focusing on the long-term effectiveness of psychological therapies, particularly in NHS Talking Therapies services. This includes identifying strategies to sustain recovery and prevent relapse in individuals with anxiety and depression following initial treatment response.

Improving Care Quality and Service Delivery
Examining patient and practitioner experiences of care within NHS services to inform improvements in service quality, accessibility, and outcomes. This includes evaluating care models, pathways, and practices to enhance therapeutic relationships, increase engagement, improve outcomes, and support inclusive access for ethnic minority and marginalised groups.

Psychometrics and Outcome Measurement

Investigating the psychometric properties and clinical utility of mental health outcome measures. This includes evaluating reliability, validity, and responsiveness, as well as exploring how routine outcome measures can be used not only for monitoring progress but also to enhance therapeutic conversations and clinical decision-making.

Research into Practice in Global Mental Health Settings

Conducting applied mental health research in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on implementation science and knowledge mobilisation. This includes:
• Optimising the use of research evidence to improve outcomes for common mental health problems and reduce global mental health disparities
• Identifying and evaluating dissemination and implementation strategies for mental health interventions
• Adapting psychological therapies to fit diverse cultural contexts

Research grants

Cintia Faija TFR Co-developing Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services to improve long-term benefits for patients with depression and anxiety

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)

July 2023 - December 2024