Elise Cournoyer Lemaire

Ph.D. (doctor), Regular member

Expertise
Psychology

Principal Interest
Rx (cannabis, opioids, ionic channels)

Secondary Interest
Comorbidities

Primary Affiliation

Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

Secondary Affiliation
Institut universitaire sur les dépendances

Biography

Elise Cournoyer Lemaire completed a master’s degree in psychology at the International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research (BRAMS, Université de Montréal). She then applied this expertise to the field of addiction through her doctoral studies at the Université de Sherbrooke, where her research focused on the role of music in promoting well-being and in shaping the substance use trajectories of young adults experiencing homelessness.
Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Douglas Research Centre of McGill University on related topics, she is now Professor in Health Sciences at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). Her research examines the role of music and the development of music-based interventions for individuals who are living with or at risk of developing problematic psychoactive substance use, including people experiencing chronic pain. Across her research program, she uses qualitative and participatory methods grounded in the strengths, interests, and capacities of structurally marginalized individuals.

How does your current work contribute to improve treatment or understanding of pain?

My research aims to develop non-pharmacological intervention strategies for people living with or are at risk of substance dependence, including people with chronic pain. I’m particularly interested in the role of music in promoting overall well-being, to inspire the development of innovative interventions. Developing an intervention strategy that builds on people’s interests, strengths and abilities could better reach them and facilitate their access and retention to clinical and community services. On the other hand, music-based interventions are accessible, inexpensive and highly valued for promoting emotional, psychological, social and physical well-being. Thus, developing an intervention that helps promote several dimensions that are often compromised in the experience of chronic pain could help improve the effectiveness of services. In fact, it could facilitate people’s ability to manage different physical, psychological and emotional symptoms, control opioid use and reduced the associated risks and negative consequences. Using music to promote overall well-being is also a transferable strategy outside services and can contribute to people’s overall well-being on the long term.