Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Accept all cookies Reject all non-essential cookies Find out more

Reimagine

  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Childhood & Adolescence (3-18 years)
  • Clinical Practice
  • Clinical Psychology, Mental Health & Wellbeing
  • Early Life Stress & Trauma
  • Memory

Dr Alex Lau-Zhu

Youth Mental Health Through the Science of Imagination

Our translational research is deeply curious about the psychological mechanisms that shape risk and resilience in mental health. Our particular focus is on emotional, imagery-based, autobiographical thinking as a key yet underexplored process in adolescence and early adulthood (ages 13-24), across typical and atypical development. This developmental period represents a critical window for mental health vulnerability - and a powerful opportunity for early interventions. Despite its potential developmental salience and appeal, emotional imagery has been historically overlooked in adolescence. Placing imagery within a wider mechanistic and developmental perspective offers novel insights for both basic science and clinical innovation. 

We integrate cognitive psychology with clinical science to drive developmentally informed, mechanism-driven intervention approaches - with imagery at the core. A unique approach of our work is the integration of experimental and clinical approaches, not often fully harnessed for youth mental health.

Alongside this flagship focus, some projects extend to other psychological processes and intervention contexts. Examples include early interventions in clinical, school, and community settings; trauma and resilience in war-affected contexts; complex trauma and sexual harm; and transdiagnostic work in adults, including across neurodivergence.

Current research areas include:

(1) "Flashforward" imagery in anxiety;

(2) Intrusive imagery-based memories of trauma;

(3) Imagery in autism mental health (e.g. emotional dysregulation and traumatic stress).

We integrate a wide range of methodologies, including experimental psychopathology, cognitive paradigms, systematic reviews, qualitative research, single case designs, trial designs, longitudinal approaches and experience sampling. We strive to work closely with young people and other stakeholders, so that our research remains grounded in lived experience and real-world relevance.

Our research has been supported by leading funders and charities, including the Medical Research Council, Oxford University Press John Fell Funds, National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centers (Imperial and Oxford Health), Economic and Social Research Council, Oxford Hospital Charities, NHS Health Education England, Cambridge International Trust, China Oxford Scholarship Fund, and philanthropic funding for autism research.

Our team

Selected publications