We are currently recruiting participants between the age of 8 and 26, with or without mental health concerns.

Steps to Participate in Research

1. Review our ongoing research studies (listed below) to determine if you think you or your child may be a good fit.
2. Contact our research coordinator by email (coach@jhmi.edu) or by phone (443-287-7157) indicating that you are interested in participating. If you are under the age of 18, please have a parent or legal guardian contact us on your behalf.
3. We will contact you within a day or two to set up a time to complete an initial phone visit. This will allow us to learn more about you and your child to help us determine if the study will be a good fit for you.
4. The initial intake phone call may take up to 20 minutes.
5. If we determine that the study is a good fit, you will be invited to visit our lab to take part in the study. The amount of time and number of visits to our lab will depend on in which study you participate.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Any information you share with us will NOT be provided to anyone (including your insurance/ health care provider) without you formally submitting a written request that we do so. We strictly follow the data collection and storage policy as outlined by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in order to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of the information you provide.

Ongoing Research Studies

Study 1: Phobia Treatment

• The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of using immersive virtual reality exposures to treat children and adolescents that have specific phobias.
• Participants age 8-17 with an intense fear of specific objects or situations (e.g, spiders, heights, public speaking, etc.) may be eligible to participate.
• If eligible, study participation may last up to 16 hours over 4 visits – including a free 3-hour session of evidence-based exposure therapy.
• Participants and their parents will be compensated up to $150 collectively for their participation.

Study 2: Learning Processes in Anorexia Nervosa

• The purpose of this study is to find out whether individuals with Anorexia Nervosa learn differently compared to individuals without any psychiatric concerns.
• Females age 13-26 with or without Anorexia Nervosa may be eligible to participate.
• If eligible, participation may total 4 hours across 2 visits including completion of a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants will be compensated up to $100 for their participation.

Study 3: Learning Processes and Behavior Therapy for Tourette’s and Tic Disorders

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether individuals with Tourette’s and tic disorders learn differently compared to individuals without any psychiatric conditions. We are also exploring whether these learning processes are related to improvement from behavior therapy.
• If eligible, participation may total 15 hours across 7 visits. This includes four free 2-hour treatment sessions of evidence-based behavior therapy.
• Participants will also complete a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants and their parents will be compensated up to $150 collectively for their participation.

Study 4: Combining Medicine and Behavior Therapy for Tourette’s and Tic Disorders

• The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of combining medicine with behavior therapy to enhance learning during treatment for youths with Tourette’s and Tic Disorders.
• If eligible, participation may total 21 hours across 7 visits. This includes four free 2-hour treatment sessions of evidence-based behavior therapy.
• Participants will also complete a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants and their parents will be compensated up to $150 collectively for their participation.