Dr Madelaine de Valle

I am a Research Fellow in the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work. I presently hold two Research Fellow roles.

One of my current roles is funded under the Right Care Right Place program grant, headed by the National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC). This program aims to facilitate access to evidence-based eating disorder treatment within a stepped-care model by positioning eating disorder care coordinators in diverse primary health networks around Australia. Under the guidance and mentorship of Prof Tracey Wade through the Blackbird Initiative, my role is to carry out the evaluation of this program.

My other role is funded under the Left to Their Own Devices grant, led by Professor Bridianne O’Dea, Little Heroes Professor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, at the Flinders University Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The aim of this project is to investigate initiatives that can support young people while they are on the waitlist to receive specialist mental health treatment.

My research interests extend beyond eating disorders and disordered eating to include body image concerns, perfectionism, social media, and clinical interventions. On a previous postdoctoral research contract, I helped to adapt an evidence-based treatment for perfectionism to be delivered by parents to children with perfectionism. My PhD research investigated factors contributing to the development of disordered eating, focussing on how social media use impacts body image in young people, the roles of self-criticism and perfectionism, and strategies for intervening in this relationship. My Honours research evaluated a brief, online cognitive behavour therapy intervention for perfectionism.

I am also a practising clinical psychologist, having worked in both public and private settings with a range of age groups and presenting concerns.