Dr. Krissy

Everyday Neuroscience

I help busy people understand how brain health leads to good mental health. Research shows that taking care of your brain can help to prevent some mental illnesses.

KThomas

Hi I’m Dr. Krissy!

I am a Medical Neuroscientist and Professor. I research and teach about how the brain works in different brain and mental health conditions and how treatment of these conditions change the brain. I am passionate about helping people understand how they can improve or maintain good mental health by understanding how the brain works. To do so, I share mental health strategies based on scientific research that promote healthy mindful living.

Learn More About Dr. Krissy

Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas is a Professor in Brain Disorders Management and Mental Health and Disability Management at Mohawk College. She is also a Medical Neuroscientist. Her imaging research uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to understand the structural and functional properties of the brain among those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and how they relate to clinical symptoms.  Most recently, Dr. Krissy has focused her attention on understanding the neural pain signature in ASD as a clinical aid in pain detection and management.

Dr. Krissy has been a part of research consortiums, namely the Province of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Disorders (POND) Network and NeuroDevNet. Within these consortiums, Dr. Krissy has contributed to research that explores the neural indices of social cognition, language processing, and repetitive behaviours in ASD. Dr. Krissy received her PhD from McMaster University in 2010 and completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital at the Autism Research Centre.

Dr. Krissy has received several prestigious fellowships for her research, including fellowships from the Canadian Institute for Health Research and the Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada. She has published numerous high-impact peer-reviewed articles and has presented her research at conferences nationally and internationally. Dr. Krissy was also featured in CBC’s HERstory in Black as one of Canada’s top 150 black women who have made a place in Canadian history for excellence within her field.

At Mohawk College, Dr. Krissy developed courses for and now teaches into Ontario’s first graduate certificate programs in Brain Disorders Management and Mental Health & Disability Management. She continues her imaging research and has also expanded this work to explore the effectiveness of interventions in brain disorders.

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Offerings

Life Coaching

I am a certified Life Coach. If you want to improve your mental clarity and focus, manage your emotions and stress, increase your confidence and self-awareness, improve your productivity and efficiency, and/ or improve your decision-making and problem-solving skills, life coaching is for you. I will help you achieve your personal and/ or professional goals using neuroscience-informed personalized coaching strategies. If you are ready to improve your mental wellness get in touch with me today.

Contact Dr. Krissy

SafeTalk Certification
(suicide prevention)

I am a certified LivingWorks SafeTALK facilitator.  I can train anyone 15 or older, regardless of prior experience or training, to become a suicide-alert helper. Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t truly want to die, but are struggling with the pain in their lives. Through their words and actions, they invite help to stay alive. I train individuals on how to recognize these invitations and take action.

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Speaking and Workshops

I am always excited to speak with business professionals, community workers, parents and students about brain tips that promote mental health, wellness, and resilience. These workshops can be customized to your needs. In general, we discuss how to manage stress, maintain a good thought-life and adopt healthy life practices. These strategies are based on brain research that explains why doing these things are good for your brain and mental health. 

Blog and Social

In my blog and on social media I share research-informed self-help tips about mental wellness. My blog and social media make neuroscience relevant to your everyday life in ways that help you maintain healthy mindful lives. 

IG: @dr.krissy.phd

@dr.krissy.phd

 

🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our Mighty 40 who joined me on a journey to educate ourselves about holistic health—body, mind, and soul. 🙏🏽Thank you to my esteemed colleagues who engaged in conversations on aspects of health related to their expertise. 🙏🏽Thank you to everyone who came out every week excited to learn, armed with questions, and sharing progress notes on their successes and challenges. I am so inspired by you. 🏆Although the sessions end here, the journey continues. Let’s continue to prioritize our health and well-being! 🧠♥️All the best to you! #health #everydayneuroscience #portico
➡️➡️➡️ SWIPE for the science behind the effects of SPIRITUALITY on PHYSICAL HEALTH from week 4 of Portico’s Holistic Health Series. Is any of this surprising to you? 📖: References👇🏽👇🏽 (1) The Neuroscience of Spirituality, Religion, and Mental Health: A systematic review and synthesis (Rosemarin et al., 2022) (2) Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (Koenig, 2012) (3) Neurobiology of Spirituality (Mohandas, 2008) (4) Religiosity/ Spirituality and Health - A Critical Review of the Evidence for Biological Pathways (Seeman et al., 2003). #brain #everydayneuroscience #health #wellness #spirituality
➡️➡️➡️ SWIPE for wellness tips related to Caring for your BRAIN and MENTAL HEALTH 🧠♥️ from week 3 of Portico’s Holistic Health Series. We’re half way there! See earlier posts for health and wellness tips from weeks 1 & 2. 🛎️ FOLLOW for more! #brain #wellness #health #stress #everydayneuroscience #wellbeing
Our relationship with STRESS is an interesting one.😬😩 Here’s some research to help us understand its effect on our brain🧠 and body🚶🏽and how we can better support our health.💪🏽 #brain #health #stress #everydayneuroscience #research
🧠☺️ Here’s the latest research on SEROTONIN, one of our happy brain chemicals aka “neurotransmitters”, and how we can support its healthy function. #brain #everydayneuroscience #serotonin #health
Drink up, my friends! 💦 Here’s the latest research on why we need to stay hydrated - slight dehydration can lead to cognitive problems and mood changes. Caring for your body means caring for your brain.🧠♥️💦 #brain #everydayneuroscience #research #water
🛑 Let’s stop the stigma around mental illness. Here are research informed facts.🧠♥️ #brainhealth #mentalhealth #everydayneuroscience #stopthestigma

Articles

 

Dr. Krissy receives Federal Award to Address Mental Health Disparities in the Black Canadian Community

Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas has been awarded a Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to address the pressing issue of mental health disparities in the Black Canadian community. The grant will enable Dr. Doyle-Thomas to develop a culturally tailored psychoeducation program aimed at empowering individuals to take charge of their mental well-being. Public Health Ontario (2023) emphasizes that...

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Dr. Krissy named an honouree in the fourth edition of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women book.

This Year’s 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Announced The 4th edition of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian women (100ABCWomen) Gala presented by TD Ready Commit returns in-person at the Woodbine Banquet Hall, 30 Vice Regent Blvd, Toronto on Saturday September 17th, 2022 at 6:00pm EST. The biennial Book Launch and Gala spotlights the achievements of Black Canadian women. “We are excited to get everyone together again after our 2020 event turned into a virtual...

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