Dr Louise Gates

About me:

Louise is interested in psychosocial therapies for anxiety and depression, with a particular interest in yoga. Louise has vast understanding and experience in adapting and examining yoga in research settings, with a specific focus on how the ancient practice of yoga links with today's western approach to complementary therapies for mental health, such as mindfulness and CBT. Louise has had a varied background, from a Fine Art degree, through training as a nurse, to a PhD in Health and Life Sciences, with a consistent thread of psychology woven through. Louise’s first taste of research was examining ways in which creativity as an outlet can improve symptoms of manic depression at The University of Arts in London. Through to a MSc examining the effects on yoga for women with breast cancer and their associated mental health conditions at Kings College London. This was undertaken whilst working at Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital in London working as a nurse within the plastic surgery for Trauma and Oncology unit, working mainly with self-harm patients and prisoners who required surgical intervention for their injuries. Louise’s MSc led to a PhD examining the effects of laughter yoga versus vinyasa yoga for anxiety and depression in adults with intellectual disabilities. Louise has disseminated her research from her PhD at International conferences and in commercial media spaces such as BBC Radio Two and on national television on ITV and Channel 4.