Katie Douglas, Our people, University of Otago, Christchurch, University of Otago, New Zealand

Senior Research Fellow/Sir Charles Hercus Fellow

BSc(Hons) (Otago); PGDipClinPsych (Canterbury); PhD (Otago), MNZCCP

Katie is a Senior Research Fellow and a Registered Clinical Psychologist. Her current research interests include:

biological, hormonal, and cognitive aspects of mood and anxiety disorder
cognitive interventions for mood disorders
cognitive and biological impact of earthquake-related PTSD
influence of childhood trauma on mental health outcomes
women’s mental health

Katie has been awarded seven major research grants as Principal Investigator, including the prestigious Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand (2018). Katie has extensive experience in clinical trial methodology and is currently involved in several clinical trials being conducted through the Clinical Research Unit within the Department, and within the Canterbury DHB. She is currently leading an innovative randomised controlled trial of group-based Cognitive Remediation in mood disorders.

Katie is the Deputy Chair of the Australasian Society of Bipolar and Depressive Disorders, a founding member of the Early to Mid-Career Researcher subcommittee of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), a member of the ISBD Taskforce Targeting Cognition, and a member of the executive committee of the New Zealand Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology.

Katie currently supervises several PhD students in the areas of cognitive functioning in mood and anxiety disorders and women’s mental health.

In her clinical work, Katie delivers therapy in treatment trials of mood disorders within the Department of Psychological Medicine. She has previous experience working clinically in health psychology and forensic psychology settings.

Professional affiliations

Chair of the Australasian Society of Bipolar and Depressive Disorders
Associate Editor – BJPsych Open
Founding member of Early- to Mid-Career Researcher Subcommittee of International Society of Bipolar Disorders
Junior Editorial Board – Bipolar Disorders
International Editorial Board – Frontiers in Psychiatry
Member of University of Otago, Christchurch Research Committee
Member of Executive Committee of the New Zealand Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology
Member of New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists
Registered Clinical Psychologist – New Zealand Psychologists Board

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Publications

Miskowiak, K. W., Yalin, N., Seeberg, I., Burdick, K. E., Balanzá-Martínez, V., del Mar Bonnín, C., … Douglas, K., … Porter, R. J., … Stokes, P. R. A. (2022). Can magnetic resonance imaging enhance the assessment of potential new treatments for cognitive impairment in mood disorders? A systematic review and position paper by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Task Force. Bipolar Disorders. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/bdi.13247

Bell, C., Moot, W., Porter, R., Frampton, C., McIntosh, V., Purnell, M., Smith, R., & Douglas, K. (2022). Examining the long-term cognitive effects of exposure to the Canterbury earthquakes in a resilient cohort. BJPsych Open, 8(4), e114. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2022.512

Douglas, K., Inder, M. L., Crowe, M. T., Jordan, J., Carlye, D., Lacey, C., Beaglehole, B., Mulder, R., Eggleston, K., Donovan, K. A., Frampton, C. M. A., … Porter, R. J. (2022). Randomised controlled trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy and group-based Cognitive Remediation versus Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy alone for mood disorders: Study protocol. BMC Psychiatry, 22, 115. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-03747-z

Miskowiak, K. W., Seeberg, I., Jensen, M. B., Balanzá-Martínez, V., del Mar Bonnin, C., Bowie, C. R., … Douglas, K., … Vieta, E. (2022). Randomised controlled cognition trials in remitted patients with mood disorders published between 2015-2021: A systematic review by the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Targeting Cognition Task Force. Bipolar Disorders. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/bdi.13193

Douglas, K. M., Groves, S., Crowe, M. T., Inder, M. L., Jordan, J., Carlyle, D., Wells, H., Beaglehole, B., Mulder, R., Lacey, C., Luty, S. E., Eggleston, K., Frampton, C. M. A., … Porter, R. J. (2022). A randomised controlled trial of psychotherapy and cognitive remediation to target cognition in mood disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 145, 278-292. doi: 10.1111/acps.13387

Journal - Research Article

Crowe, M., Inder, M., Porter, R., Wells, H., Jordan, J., Lacey, C., Eggleston, K., & Douglas, K. (2021). Patients' perceptions of functional improvement in psychotherapy for mood disorders. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(1), 22-29. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.202020200017

Journal - Research Article

McLeod, G. F. H., Horwood, L. J., Darlow, B. A., Boden, J. M., Martin, J., Spittlehouse, J. K., Carter, F. A., Jordan, J., Porter, R., Bell, C., Douglas, K., … McIntosh, V. V. W., … Vierck, E. (2021). Recruitment and retention of participants in longitudinal studies after a natural disaster. Longitudinal & Life Course Studies. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1332/175795921X16168462584238

Journal - Research Article

Sukhapure, M., Eggleston, K., Douglas, K., Fenton, A., Frampton, C., & Porter, R. J. (2021). Free testosterone is related to aspects of cognitive function in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. Archives of Women's Mental Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s00737-021-01158-9

Journal - Research Article

Alvarez-Grandi, S. A., Groves, S. J., Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2020). Systematic monitoring of cognitive function during electroconvulsive therapy: A retrospective analysis of data from a service using a short cognitive testing battery. Journal of ECT, 36(1), 10-17. doi: 10.1097/yct.0000000000000659

Journal - Research Article

Crowe, M., Inder, M., Douglas, K., Carlyle, D., Wells, H. J., Jordan, J., Lacey, C., Mulder, R., Beaglehole, B., & Porter, R. (2020). Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for patients with major depressive disorder. American Journal of Psychology, 73(1), 29-34. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20190024

Journal - Research Article

Crowe, M., Porter, R., Douglas, K., Inder, M., Lacey, C., Jordan, J., & Wells, H. J. (2020). Patients' experiences of cognitive functioning in recurrent depression: A qualitative study. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 27, 321-329. doi: 10.1111/jpm.12603

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Jordan, J., Inder, M. L., Crowe, M. T., Mulder, R., Lacey, C., Beaglehole, B., … Porter, R. J. (2020). Cognitive remediation for outpatients with recurrent mood disorders: A feasibility study. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 26(4), 273-283. doi: 10.1097/pra.0000000000000487

Journal - Research Article

Porter, R. J., Inder, M., Douglas, K. M., Moor, S., Carter, J. D., Frampton, C. M. A., & Crowe, M. (2020). Improvement in cognitive function in young people with bipolar disorder: Results from participants in an 18-month randomised controlled trial of adjunctive psychotherapy. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 54(3), 272-281. doi: 10.1177/0004867419887794

Journal - Research Article

Bell, C. J., Frampton, C. M., Colhoun, H. C., Douglas, K. M., McIntosh, V. V. W., Carter, F. A., Jordan, J., … Porter, R. J. (2019). Earthquake brain: Impairment of spatial memory following long-term earthquake-related stress. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(1), 37-47. doi: 10.1177/0004867418789498

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Groves, S., Porter, R. J., Jordan, J., Wilson, L., Melzer, T. R., … Bell, C. J. (2019). Traumatic imagery following glucocorticoid administration in earthquake-related post-traumatic stress disorder: A preliminary functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(12), 1167-1178. doi: 10.1177/0004867419851860

Journal - Research Article

Averill, I. R. E., Crowe, M., Frampton, C. M., Beaglehole, B., Lacey, C. J., Jordan, J., Wilson, L. D., Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2018). Clinical response to treatment in inpatients with depression correlates with changes in activity levels and psychomotor speed. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(7), 652-659. doi: 10.1177/0004867417753549

Journal - Research Article

Carter, J. D., McIntosh, V. V. W., Jordan, J., Porter, R. J., Douglas, K., Frampton, C. M., & Joyce, P. R. (2018). Patient predictors of response to cognitive behaviour therapy and schema therapy for depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(9), 887-897. doi: 10.1177/0004867417750756

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Gallagher, P., Robinson, L. J., Carter, J. D., McIntosh, V. V. W., Frampton, C. M. A., … Porter, R. J. (2018). Prevalence of cognitive impairment in major depression and bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorders, 20(3), 260-274. doi: 10.1111/bdi.12602

Journal - Research Article

Bell, C. J., Colhoun, H. C., Frampton, C. M., Douglas, K. M., McIntosh, V. V. W., Carter, F. A., Jordan, J., Carter, J. D., … Porter, R. J. (2017). Earthquake brain: Altered recognition and misclassification of facial expressions are related to trauma exposure but not posttraumatic stress disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 8, 278. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00278

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Van Rheenen, T. E. (2016). Current treatment options for cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder: A review. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 3(4), 330-355. doi: 10.1007/s40501-016-0092-7

Journal - Research Article

Porter, R. J., Bourke, C., Carter, J. D., Douglas, K. M., McIntosh, V. V. W., Jordan, J., Joyce, P. R., & Frampton, C. M. A. (2016). No change in neuropsychological dysfunction or emotional processing during treatment of major depression with cognitive-behaviour therapy or schema therapy. Psychological Medicine, 46(2), 393-404. doi: 10.1017/S0033291715001907

Journal - Research Article

Porter, R. J., Douglas, K., Jordan, J., Bowie, C. R., Roiser, J., & Malhi, G. S. (2014). Psychological treatments for cognitive dysfunction in major depressive disorder: Current evidence and perspectives. CNS & Neurological Disorders: Drug Targets, 13(10), 1677-1692. doi: 10.2174/1871527313666141130223248

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Alsop, B. (2013). The dynamics of word retrieval in major depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47, 276-283. doi: 10.1177/0004867412465124

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2012). Associations between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and facial emotion processing in depressed and control participants. Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, 66(5), 442-450.

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2012). The effect of childhood trauma on pharmacological treatment response in depressed inpatients. Psychiatry Research, 200(2-3), 1058-1061. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.06.015

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., & Johnston, L. (2012). Sensitivity to posed and genuine facial expressions of emotion in severe depression. Psychiatry Research, 196(1), 72-78. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.10.019

Journal - Research Article

Stain, H. J., Hodne, S., Joa, I., ten Velden Hegelstad, W., Douglas, K. M., Langveld, J., … Larsen, T. K. (2012). The relationship of verbal learning and verbal fluency with written story production: Implications for social functioning in first episode psychosis. Schizophrenia Research, 138(2-3), 212-217. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2012.04.002

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Knight, R. G., & Maruff, P. (2011). Neuropsychological changes and treatment response in severe depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 198, 115-122. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.080713

Journal - Research Article

McNeill, L. S., & Douglas, K. (2011). Retailing masculinity: Gender expectations and social image of male grooming products in New Zealand. Journal of Retailing & Consumer Services, 18, 448-454. doi: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2011.06.009

Journal - Research Article

Bourke, C., Douglas, K., & Porter, R. (2010). Processing of facial emotion expression in major depression: A review. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 44(8), 681-696. doi: 10.3109/00048674.2010.496359

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2010). Recognition of disgusted facial expressions in severe depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 197, 156-157. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.078113

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2009). Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychological function in major depression. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(12), 1105-1117. doi: 10.3109/00048670903279887

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., Frampton, C. M., Gallagher, P., & Young, A. H. (2009). Abnormal response to failure in unmedicated major depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 119, 92-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2009.02.018

Journal - Research Article

Porter, R. J., Douglas, K., & Knight, R. G. (2008). Monitoring of cognitive effects during a course of electroconvulsive therapy: Recommendations for clinical practice. Journal of ECT, 24(1), 25-34.

Journal - Research Article

Douglas, K. M., & Bilkey, D. K. (2007). Amusia is associated with deficits in spatial processing. Nature Neuroscience, 10(7), 915-921. doi: 10.1038/nn1925

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Crowe, M., Eggleston, K., Douglas, K., & Porter, R. J. (2021). Effects of psychotherapy on comorbid bipolar disorder and substance use disorder: A systematic review. Bipolar Disorders, 23(2), 141-151. doi: 10.1111/bdi.12971

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M., Fenton, A. J., Eggleston, K., & Porter, R. J. (2021). Rate of polycystic ovary syndrome in mental health disorders: A systematic review. Archives of Women's Mental Health. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s00737-021-01179-4

Journal - Research Other

Groves, S. J., Douglas, K. M., Milanovic, M., Bowie, C. R., & Porter, R. J. (2021). Systematic review of the effects of evidence-based psychotherapies on neurocognitive functioning in mood disorders. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/00048674211031479

Journal - Research Other

Barczyk, Z. A., Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2020). Baseline predictors of cognitive change in the treatment of major depressive episode: Systematic review. BJPsych Open, 6, e131. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2020.114

Journal - Research Other

Crowe, M., Porter, R., Eggleston, K., & Douglas, K. (2020). Addressing cognitive impairment in mood disorders: A role for the mental health nurse. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 27, 319-320. doi: 10.1111/jpm.12613

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M., Milanovic, M., Porter, R. J., & Bowie, C. R. (2020). Clinical and methodological considerations for psychological treatment of cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder. BJPsych Open, 6(4), e67. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2020.53

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M., Peckham, A. D., Porter, R. J., & Hammar, Å. (2020). Continuing the debate: Cognitive enhancement therapy for mood disorders. Bipolar Disorders, 22, 532-533. doi: 10.1111/bdi.12919

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M., Porter, R. J., & Young, A. H. (2020). Cognition in mood disorders. BJPsych Open, 7, e16. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2020.149

Journal - Research Other

Gray, V., Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2020). Emotion processing in depression and anxiety disorders in older adults: Systematic review. BJPsych Open, 7(1), 37. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2020.143

Journal - Research Other

Averill, I. R. E., Beaglehole, B., Douglas, K. M., Jordan, J., Crowe, M. T., Inder, M., Lacey, C. J., Frampton, C. M., … Porter, R. J. (2019). Activation therapy for the treatment of inpatients with depression: Protocol for a randomised control trial compared to treatment as usual. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 52. doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2038-2

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M., Peckham, A., Porter, R., & Hammar, A. (2019). Cognitive enhancement therapy for mood disorders: A new paradigm? [Debate]. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 53(12), 1148-1150. doi: 10.1177/0004867419873711

Journal - Research Other

Porter, R. J., & Douglas, K. M. (2019). Cognitive impairment in people remitted from major depression. Lancet Psychiatry, 6(10), 799-800. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30278-0

Journal - Research Other

Groves, S. J., Douglas, K. M., & Porter, R. J. (2018). A systematic review of cognitive predictors of treatment outcome in major depression. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 382. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00382

Journal - Research Other

Douglas, K. M. (2016). Cognitive functioning following electroconvulsive therapy: Research findings and recommendations for monitoring. NZSIGN, 4, 9-17.

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Hayward, T., Adamson, S., Jordan, J., & Douglas, K. (2021). Cognitive functioning in opioid substitution treatment and the potential for cognitive remediation. Proceedings of the University of Otago Student Research Symposium: Te Wānaka Rakahau: Ākoka. (pp. 33). [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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Dr Katie Douglas

Professional affiliations

Publications