Elise Cournoyer Lemaire

Ph.D. (doctor), Regular member

Principal Interest
Rx (cannabis, opioids, ionic channels)

Secondary Interest
Comorbidities

Primary Affiliation

Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

Secondary Affiliation
None

Biography

Elise Cournoyer Lemaire completed her Master's degree in psychology at the Laboratoire International de Recherche sur le Cerveau, la Musique et le Son (BRAMS, Université de Montréal). She then applied this knowledge to the field of addictions, as part of her doctorate at the Université de Sherbrooke, which focused on the role of music in promoting overall well-being and the trajectory of psychoactive substance use among young adults experiencing homelessness. Following a postdoctoral internship at McGill University's Douglas Research Centre on related themes, she is now a regular professor in health sciences at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). Her research focuses on the role of music and the development of musical interventions for people living with or at risk of problematic substance use, including chronic pain. In all her research, she mobilizes qualitative and participatory methods that build on the strengths, interests and capacities of structurally marginalized people.

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.