I essentially try to better understand the links between affect regulation and psychopathology, mainly by studying mental functioning (mentalization, alexithymia). Part of my work bears on the theoretical analysis of these themes, using a mainly psychoanalytical approach that integrates elements of theories of emotion. I also conduct empirical research using a number of methodological strategies: discourse analysis (quantitative and qualitative), creation and use of questionnaires, experimental tasks, etc. I created a grid for verbal elaboration of affect (GÉVA), a verbal measurement of affect mentalization, a central part of many research projects.

Research themes:

• Mentalization and affect regulation
• Exploration of forms of alexithymia
• Study of affect mentalization in psychopathology, particularly depression and borderline personality disorder
• Analysis of the role of sadness and positive emotions in mentalization
• Assessment and treatment of mental functioning

Louise Nadeau's professional work and research interests concern drug addiction, and lie mainly in three areas:

1. Women with problems linked to their consumption of psychoactive substances
2. Mental disorders associated with dependence on psychoactive substances
3. Epidemiology of alcohol. Louise Nadeau is the lead investigator in the RISQ team conducting research and interventions into psychoactive substance abuse in Quebec at the Centre Dollard Cormier, which focuses broadly on more effective interventions with users of rehabilitation services.