MY CAREER
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST - EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION
Emotional dysregulation refers to a state in which a person's emotions are difficult to control or manage effectively. People with emotional dysregulation may experience intense emotions and/or have inappropriate emotional reactions to situations perceived as ordinary.
I have been interested in emotional dysregulation and its direct relationship with symptoms of anxiety, addiction, and ADHD. Today, I treat these disorders using two therapeutic approaches: cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
It is important to note that emotional regulation techniques vary from person to person, and I always work collaboratively with the patient to find the most appropriate treatment for the presented disorder.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER - ADHD AND SLEEP
My research has focused mainly on emotional processes with the aim of improving mental health. I also apply a variety of the results of this research in my private practice. Today, I am focusing my research on diverse areas and am frequently invited to participate in scientific projects organised by international universities or private institutions. My latest research focuses on outpatient cannabis withdrawal programs, driving skills, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or high potential, and sleep.
UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
In addition to my private practice, I teach experimental psychology and the psychology of emotions in a university setting. My courses are designed so that students acquire academic skills on the one hand but also develop critical thinking skills to manage high-quality scientific information. This approach will enable them to access a greater number of professional opportunities in the private or public sector.
Working at UCAM (Catholic University of Murcia) has offered me the opportunity to be part of the university teaching units in Spain. My passion for teaching an interactive class - involving project-based learning, peer teaching, and engaging theoretical material - helps participants develop their curiosity and a thirst for learning that will aid them in both their professional and private lives.
PUBLICATIONS, RESEARCH, AND CONFERENCES
PUBLICATIONS
Brion, Mélanie, Fabien D’Hondt, D. Davidoff, and P. Maurage 2015 Beyond Cognition: Understanding Affective Impairments in Korsakoff Syndrome. Emotion Review: 1–9.
Brion, Mélanie, Fabien D’Hondt, Anne-Lise Pitel, et al. 2017 Executive Functions in Alcohol-Dependence: A Theoretically Grounded and Integrative Exploration. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 177: 39–47.
Brion, Mélanie, Fabien D’Hondt, Séverine Lannoy, et al. 2017 Crossmodal Processing of Emotions in Alcohol-Dependence and Korsakoff Syndrome. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry 22(5): 436–451.
Brion, Mélanie, Philippe de Timary, Serge Mertens de Wilmars, and Pierre Maurage 2018 Impaired Affective Prosody Decoding in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder and Korsakoff Syndrome. Psychiatry Research 264: 404–406.
Brion, Mélanie, Philippe de Timary, Anne-Lise Pitel, and Pierre Maurage 2017 Source Memory in Korsakoff Syndrome: Disentangling the Mechanisms of Temporal Confusion. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research 41(3): 596–607.
Brion, Mélanie, Philippe de Timary, Caroline Vander Stappen, et al. 2015 Chemosensory Dysfunction in Alcohol-Related Disorders: A Joint Exploration of Olfaction and Taste. Chemical Senses 40(9): 605–608.
Brion, Mélanie, Anne-Lise Pitel, and Fabien D’Hondt 2016 New Perspectives in the Exploration of Korsakoff’s Syndrome: The Usefulness of Neurophysiological Markers. Frontiers in Psychology 7: 168.
PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES
2015 European Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ESBRA)
Oral presentation: Chemosensory dysfunction in alcohol-related disorders: A joint exploration of olfaction and taste.
2017 Federation of European Societies of Neuropsychology (FESN)
Oral presentation: Executive functions in alcohol-related disorders: A comparison between alcohol-dependent and Korsakoff syndrome patients.
2017 Groupe de Réflexion en Psychopathologie Cognitive (GREPACO)
Flash Talk - poster: Imbalance between brain systems in alcohol-dependence and Korsakoff syndrome: an exploration using the alcohol flanker task.
2022 Forum Addiction & Société
Oral presentation: 5 misconceptions about alcohol and sleep.
Workshop leading: Assessing the cognitive functions of people suffering from addiction via teleconsultation.
Science popularisation
2020 Science popularization activities within the context of Researcher's Workshop for secondary school students (organized by the UCAM University).
2021 Presentations of the work carried out within the "Cognition" group at the University of Columbia (USA).
2020-2022 Articles and interviews for local (Belgium) newspapers and health magazines (smartphones addictions, cannabis addiction, alcohol addiction).
MY BACKGROUND
2011 - Present
Neuropsychologist
2017 - Present
Psychologist/Therapist
2020 - Present
Professor at the University of Murcia, Spain (UCAM Murcia)
2017
PhD in Psychology and Educational Sciences (UCL)
2011
Master's degree in Psychology and Education Sciences (UCL)
2011 - Present
Scientific research
As a neuropsychologist specialised in ADHD, sleep disorders, and addiction—I evaluate brain functions related to attention, memory, learning, planning, and organisation. I create individualised treatment plans to help patients improve their concentration and effectively manage their time. I work closely with the patient and/or their treating physician, parent, or teacher.
I offer online consultations to assist individuals with ADHD or sleep disorders in managing their condition's symptoms. I use cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques to help patients improve their attention, assess their needs, and refer them to other healthcare professionals if necessary.
I am a professor of experimental psychology and psychology of emotions at the University of Murcia in Spain (in English). I teach theories and methodologies of emotional psychology, psychopathology, and neuroscience. I study emotion regulation mechanisms, positive and negative emotions, and cultural differences in emotions.
My thesis focused on the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of Korsakoff's syndrome. I conduct research and publish on alcohol addiction and Korsakoff's syndrome.
I have a Master's Degree in psychology and educational science from the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium.
I am a postdoctoral researcher in neuropsychology and a research assistant in the Department of Psychology at the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium.