The FACE©-model draws on neuroscientific insights that the reciprocal adjustments between cognitive and emotional processes are at the core of behavioural and relational responses to single or recurrent sources of stress, anxiety and trauma. These insights are integrated in a bio-psycho-social developmental psychopathology model.

In multi-site research (in collaboration with the Netherlands and France), we investigate selective aspects of cognitive control and emotional regulation throughout the life span. We examine how to facilitate children's, adolescents' and families’ cognitive and emotional adjustments to sources of stress on individual and contextual levels.

The FACE©-program translates these research insights into practice by implementing systematized prevention/intervention protocols for children, adolescents and their families. The FACE©-program for cognitive-emotional adjustments is also applied in pre- and postgraduate training, professional continuing education and mental health services consultancy. Child self-expression and family assessment tools are conceived and operationalized to this regard.

http://www.centreface.org

Appointed Expert to the Superior Health Council, Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety & Environment, Belgium, since 2008, for example:

• Expert in the HGR-CSS Task Force Report 8325 "Children and Youth: behavioral disorders in context"

• Expert in the HGR-CSS Task Force Report 8747 "Quality of life for young children with autism and their family"

• Expert in the HGR-CSS Task Force Report 8846 "Good clinical practice in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD"

• Expert in the HGR-CSS Task Force Report 9339 "Burnout" (in progress)

Additional expertise

• Head Coordinator & Organizer of the 9th Edition of the Inter-university Post Graduate Training Clinical Child Assessment, VUB: Belgium, 2015-2017.

• Head Coordinator & Organizer of the 6th Edition of the Inter-university Post Graduate Training Clinical Child Assessment, VUB: Belgium, 2009-2011.

• Invited Expert to the Stuurgroep onderzoeksproject Wetenschappelijke ondersteuning bij de ontwikkeling van een hulpmodule gezinsdiagnostiek binnen de Centra Integrale Gezinszorg, in opdracht van het Departement Welzijn, Volksgezondheid en Gezin, Vlaams Ministerie, Uitvoering Vakgroep Orthopedagogiek, Universiteit Gent.

• Invited expert jury member for the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; Afdeling Maatschappij- en Gedragswetenschappen [Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research and Social Sciences], 2010.

• Invited expert jury member for the Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada [Council of Research in Human Sciences of Canada], 2008 and 2009.

• Appointed Member of the College of the Superior Health Council, Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety & Environment, Belgium. Benoemd Lid van het College van de Hoge Gezondheidsraad, Federale Overheidsdienst Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu, since 2009.

• Selected expert for the international pool of experts on the revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders, field of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents, World Health Organisation, 2009.

• Board & Coordinating Member of the Interuniversitaire Post Academische Vorming 'Klinische Diagnostiek bij kinderen en adolescenten' (BE) since 1998.