At Bellagarda Psychology, research is not something that exists separately from clinical practice - it is an integral part of it.

I believe that meaningful research should improve the lives of the people it is intended to serve. I am passionate about conducting research that is clinically relevant, methodologically rigorous, and capable of informing real-world practice, policy and service delivery.

The most impactful research begins with listening: to clients, clinicians, services and communities. By understanding the challenges experienced in everyday practice, research can move beyond simply generating knowledge to creating practical solutions that enhance care, improve systems, and support better outcomes.

As both a clinician and researcher, I strive to bridge the gap between research and practice. My work is informed by the realities of clinical care while remaining grounded in contemporary scientific evidence, collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Research

Research Interests

My research interests span a broad range of areas within clinical psychology, neuropsychology and mental health services. While these interests continue to evolve, they are united by a common goal of improving the accessibility, quality and effectiveness of psychological care.

Current areas of interest include:

  • Perception and vision sciences, particularly perception of symmetry

  • Applied experimental psychology

  • Neuroimaging, with expertise in functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

  • Child, adolescent and adult mental health

  • Neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD

  • Clinical neuropsychology and cognitive functioning

  • Mental health service design and evaluation

  • Outcomes measurement and routine evaluation

  • Digital innovation and data-informed mental health care

  • Evidence-based practice and service improvement

I have experience working across academia, clinical research, program evaluation, and health service research, and value projects that have tangible benefits for individuals, clinicians and organisations. My interests span experimental, survey, qualitative and archival research approaches

Current Research Positions

  • Senior Research Psychologist, Child and Adolscent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), WA Health

  • Lecturer, Discipline of Psychology, University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle Campus)

  • Adjunct Lecturer, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia (UWA)

  • Adjunct Lecturer, Charles Darwin University

Committee Membership

  • Committee Member, Human Research Ethics Committee, Child and Adolescent Health Services (CAHS), WA Health

  • Committee Member, Research and Ethics Committee, ADHD WA

Previous Research Positions

  • Honorary Research Fellow, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Western Australia (UWA)

  • Research Assistant, Human Factors and Applied Cognition Laboratory, School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia (UWA)

  • PhD Candidate, Human Vision Laboratory, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Western Australia (UWA)

Publications

Publications

Published

Bellagarda, C.A., Padmanabhan, V, Dondzilo, L., Reynolds., A and Wijeratne, L., (2026). Temporal Trends in Youth Mental Health: Insights and Predictions from 20 Years of CAMHS Service Data, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., McGraw, P., Bell., J and Badcock., D.R., (2026), A review of symmetry detection in human observers; Psychophysics, imaging and modelling, Symmetry (invited review).

Padmanabhan, V., Bellagarda, C.A., Dondzilo, L., MacDonald, S., Hegarty, A., Morris, M., Pedro, Z., (2025), Impact of a Paediatric Mental Health Crisis Service in the Emergency Department on Hospital Resource Utilization: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis of CAMHS Crisis Connect, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

Dondzilo, L., Bellagarda., C.A., Padmanabhan, V (2025) A Delphi study to identify research priorities for an Australian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, International Journal of Health Care Management

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (2023), Contribution of Higher Order Structure to Perception of Visual Mirror Symmetry, Journal of Vision, 23(4)

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (2023), Selectivity for Local Orientation Information in Visual Mirror Symmetry, Vision Research, 207, 108207. 

Bellagarda, C..A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (2022), Investigating Temporal Integration of Visual Mirror Symmetry using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, Symmetry, 14(5), 901.  

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (2021), Temporal Integration Windows for Mirror Symmetry,  Vision Research, 188, 184-192.

Under Review & In Preparation

Conference Presentations

Invited Talks

Bellagarda, C.A., John, O., Padmanabhan, V., Ahuja, A., and Hegarty, A. (2025) Crisis Care for Young People: An International Comparison of Two Innovative Service Models (CAMHS Crisis Connect & Wales NHS 111 press 2). Keynote Address - Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Research Symposium; CAMHS Satellite Session

John, O., Bellagarda, C.A., Ahuja, A., Dondzilo, L., and Padmanabhan, V. (2025) From Crisis to Care: The NHS 111 Press 2 journey across continents, Round Table Address - The Royal College of Psychiatrists (Wales)

Oral Presentations

Bellagarda, C.A. (2026). Temporal Trends in Youth Mental Health: Insights and Predictions from 20 Years of CAMHS Service Data, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' (RANZCP) Congress; Melbourne Victoria.

Bellagarda, C.A. (2025). Temporal Trends in Youth Mental Health: Insights and Predictions from 20 Years of CAMHS Service Data, Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Research Symposium; CAMHS Satellite Session (Awarded Best Presentation – Mental Health stream)

Bellagarda, C.A., (2024) Impact of a Paediatric Mental Health Crisis Service in the Emergency Department on Hospital Resource Utilization: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis of CAMHS Crisis Connect, Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Research Symposium; CAMHS Satellite Session (Awarded runner-up best presentation – Mental Health Stream)

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell., J and Badcock, D.R., (2023), Identifying haemodynamic signatures of temporal integration of mirror symmetry using fNIRS, Western Australian Psychological Science Conference (WAPSC)

Chapman, C., & Bellagarda C.A. (September 2023), A Safe Place to Land; The Essential Role of School Psychologists in Supporting Students with ADHD, School Psychologists Association of Western Australia (SPAWA) Annual Conference

Bellagarda, C.A. (March 2023), Understanding ADHD; Symptoms, Strategies and Supports for Children in Care, State Foster Care and Kinship Conference- Foster Care Association of WA

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (July 2022), Contribution of Higher Order Structure to Perception of Visual Mirror Symmetry, Experimental Psychology Conference – Hybrid (Virtual)

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (April 2021), Temporal Integration Windows for Mirror Symmetry, Experimental Psychology Conference - Perth Hub (In Person)

Bellagarda, C.A., Dickinson, J.E., Bell, A. and Badcock, D.R., (November 2020), Temporal Integration Windows for Mirror Symmetry, UWA School of Psychological Science Postgraduate Conference (In Person)

Poster Presentations

Padmanbhan, V., and Bellagarda, C.A. (2026) Evaluating Paediatric Mental Health Crisis Services In The ED: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis Of Hospital Resource Utilization. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' (RANZCP) Congress; Melbourne Victoria.

Bellagarda., C.A., & Padmanabhan, V., (2025). Temporal Trends In Youth Mental Health: Insights And Predictions From 20 Years Of Western Australian CAMHS Service Data. 25th World Congress of Psychiatry; Prague, Czech Republic

Padmanabhan, V., and Bellagarda, C.A. (2025) Evaluating Paediatric Mental Health Crisis Services In The ED: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis Of Hospital Resource Utilization. 25th World Congress of Psychiatry; Prague, Czech Republic

Interested in collaboration or supervision?

Supporting the next generation of clinician-researchers is an important part of my work.

I am available to discuss research supervision and mentoring opportunities for honours, postgraduate and higher degree research students, as well as clinicians seeking guidance with research, quality improvement or evaluation projects within their workplace.

My approach to supervision emphasises curiosity, critical thinking, methodological rigour and practical relevance. I aim to create a supportive and collaborative environment where students and early-career researchers can develop confidence, independence and strong research skills while pursuing projects with meaningful clinical impact.

Depending on capacity and project alignment, I am happy to discuss opportunities for:

  • Honours research supervision

  • Master's and doctoral research

  • Clinical quality improvement projects

  • Service evaluation

  • Research mentoring

  • Publication and manuscript development

  • Grant and fellowship applications

Whether you have a well-developed research proposal or are simply exploring an idea, I welcome an initial conversation to discuss how we might work together. I also welcome opportunities to collaborate with clinicians, researchers, universities, health services, community organisations and government agencies.