Dr. Allison Kelly

Biography

Allison Kelly is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo. She holds a BA from Queen’s University and a PhD from McGill University, along with a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Toronto General Hospital, Eating Disorders Program. Her research primarily focuses on the interplay between self-criticism, self-compassion, and psychopathology, particularly in the context of eating disorders. Kelly leads the Self-Attitudes Lab, which investigates how various social factors, daily life behaviors, and interventions can influence self-compassion and mental health outcomes. The lab has received funding from organizations such as the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Ontario Mental Health Foundation. In addition to her research, she teaches courses on Psychopathology, Mindfulness, and Psychotherapy at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and engages in clinical training and supervision for graduate students in clinical psychology. Allison is also active in private practice, where she offers workshops centered on self-compassion and mindfulness for various audiences. Her work aims to inspire implementable strategies to enhance self-compassion in individuals and groups.

Research Interests

Courses