Dr Kristen Murray

Senior Lecturer
MPP Convenor

Dr Murray is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about promoting health and well-being in the community.  She completed her Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) at the Australian National University (ANU) in 2013, where she was awarded the Steven Klimidis Memorial Prize for Excellence in Clinical Psychology and Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists Student Prize.  She has worked as a clinical psychologist in private practice and public health settings where she specialises in weight management, health behaviour change and eating disorders.  Her primary therapeutic approach employs cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing.

Her research in clinical and health psychology focuses on the assessment and intervention of psychological factors in obesity, eating disorders, chronic health conditions and health behaviour change.  She has a particular interest in body image, specifically how individuals relate to functional experiences of the body and its implications for health behaviours and well-being.  She also has an interest in psychological stress, youth mental health, innovation in clinical practice and interprofessional collaboration.  Her research has been presented at national and international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed publications.

Kristen is currently a Lecturer in the Research School of Psychology at the ANU where she is teaching within the Master of Professional Psychology program. She was previously Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Canberra where she taught clinical and health psychology, and convened the Master of Clinical Psychology program and External Placements.  She received the Australian Psychological Society Early Career Teaching Award and University of Canberra Faculty of Health Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018.

Research interests

I am interested in the areas of clinical and health psychology.  My clinical practice and research focuses on psychological factors in health and well-being, particularly how these relate to obesity, eating disorders, chronic disease and health behaviour change.  I am broadly interested in research that aims to understand, assess, prevent and treat these factors to improve health and well-being in the community.  My current projects focus on body image, specifically our relationship with both the functioning and appearance of the body, and its implications for psychological intervention. I am interested in understanding multiple aspects of the body image construct, exploring differences in body image and its outcomes according to gender, health status and development, and innovative approaches to prevention and intervention programs fostering a positive connection with the body to promote mental health, enhance health promoting behaviours such as intuitive eating and physical activity, and decreasing health depleting behaviours such as disordered eating and sedentary behaviours. I also have interests in psychological stress, interprofessional practice and innovations in clinical care.

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Projects