Centre for Research on Pain, Disability and Social Integration

Dr. Michael Sullivan

Centre for Research on Pain, Disability and Social Integration

Biography


Dr. Michael Sullivan is currently Professor of Psychology, Medicine and Neurology at McGill University. He also holds cross-appointments with the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy and is Scientific Director of the Centre for Research on Pain, Disability and Social Integration. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the social and behavioral determinants of pain-related disability.

Dr. Sullivan’s program of research addresses psychosocial risk factors for delayed recovery. Dr. Sullivan and his team have developed several instruments to assess psychosocial risk factors including the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Injustice Experiences Questionnaire (IEQ), and the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ). Dr. Sullivan also developed the Progressive Goal Attainment Program (PGAP); the first community-based intervention program designed specifically to target psychosocial risk factors for pain-related disability (https://www.pgapworks.com/en/).

Dr. Sullivan has published over 200 scientific papers, 25 chapters, and 5 books. He currently holds a Canada Research Chair in Behavioral Health. In 2011, Dr. Sullivan received the Canadian Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession. Dr. Sullivan completed his undergraduate training at McGill University and his graduate training at Concordia University.

A CD release in 1999 led to a nomination for best Country Artist at the East Coast Music Awards.