Eating Disorders Transformed: Bridging Psychological Approaches with Virtual Reality Interventions offers a pioneering perspective on addressing Eating Disorders (EDs), a critical area of mental health that has seen a significant rise in recent years. This groundbreaking volume synthesizes extensive research and clinical advancements in the field, bringing together insights from leading experts across various disciplines. The book begins with a foundational overview of established treatments viewed through diverse psychological lenses and enriched by the latest insights from the DSM-5. The second section explores the mechanics of VR technology and its potential to revolutionize treatment for core symptoms of EDs. In the final section, readers will find pioneering experiences shared by the authors, detailing the development of VR applications designed to enhance clinical practice. This book aims to bridge the gap between traditional approaches and technological advancements, providing practical guidelines and access to VR software that readers can explore firsthand. It not only serves as a reference for clinicians and researchers but also invites readers to engage with the evolving landscape of mental health interventions.
His multidisciplinary research approach spans psychology, neuroscience, engineering, and computer science, focusing on the development, use, and effects of Virtual Reality and advanced technologies on well-being and various psychopathological conditions. Author and Editor of many scientific books, his publications range from specialist journals (i.e., “Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews”, “Psychological Medicine”, ”Biological Psychiatry”, “Cortex”, “European J. of Neuroscience”, “Consciousness and Cognition”, “European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience”, “J. of Anxiety Disorders”, “J. of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry”, “Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy”, “European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry”, “Brain and Behavior”, “Computers in Human Behavior”, "Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking”, “J. of Internet Medical Research”, “Presence: Teleoperators and VR" (MIT Press), “Virtual Reality”) to high-level general scientific journals such as "Science" (AAAS), “Nature”, “Nature Medicine” and “Nature Reviews”, “American Psychologist” (APA), “Perspectives on Psychological Sciences” (APS), Scientific Reports (Nature), Heliyon (Cell), PLOS One, and Frontiers in Neuroscience/Psychology/Psychiatry.
She serves as a partner at the Humane Technology Lab, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart (Italy), the Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Institute Auxologico Italiano (Italy), and the GAME Science Research Center (GAME.SCI RE.CENTER), IMT School - School for Advanced Studies Lucca (Italy). Her research primarily revolves around the use of Virtual Reality to comprehend body self-consciousness and the intricacies of how individuals perceive and experience their bodies in terms of both perception and action. Giulia's research spans across non-clinical and clinical populations, with a specific focus on body distortion within Eating Disorders.
She is a partner of the Humane Technology Lab at the Catholic University of Sacred Heart (Italy) and practices clinical activity in Eating Disorders Center. Additionally, she has gained clinical research experience at the VR-PSY Lab of the University of Barcelona. The main theme of her research and clinical practice is Eating Disorders and treatments with Virtual Reality. She is also interested in and concerned with emotional dysregulation in general and in relation to Eating Disorders.
Her main research involves the field of psychodynamics, and personality disorders with a specific interest in Eating Disorders and at-risk mental states. She also studies the relationships between personality and music and the intersubjective music therapy field.
