Goretti Hurtado Barbeito is a PhD Student in the Department of Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience. She is a recipient of a 3.5-year Doctoral Training Centre grant from the MS Society. Her PhD focuses on developing and implementing digital psychological interventions for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who experience pain.

Goretti holds a BSc in Psychology from Durham University and an MSc in Clinical Neuroscience from University College London, graduating with distinction in both. Her academic work centres on neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, with previous research examining the sensitivity of social network and memory markers to detect early Alzheimer’s disease, as well as EEG-TMS interactions in epilepsy.

She also works as a neurofeedback technician, gaining hands-on experience with EEG acquisition and brain-computer interface protocols aimed at supporting cognitive and emotional regulation. This practical foundation complements her academic interest in neurophysiological mechanisms and intervention design.

Driven by a commitment to accessible, evidence-based care, her current work integrates psychology and neuroscience to create digital tools that are scalable and clinically meaningful for individuals with MS.

Thesis title: Development and Implementation of a Digital ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Intervention for MS-Related Pain: Clinical Outcomes and Biomarker Correlates.

Supervisors: Dr Emily McBride, Professor Rona Moss-Morris, Dr Sophie Fawson, Dr Joanna Hudson

Research interests

• Cognitive and neurophysiological markers in neurological conditions
• Pain mechanisms and psychosocial factors in Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurobiological and psychological correlates of chronic pain
• Design and implementation of digital psychological interventions

Teaching

• BSc Neuroscience and Psychology 

Expertise and public engagement

Goretti writes accessible blog articles on neurofeedback and its applications in neurological and psychological conditions, helping lay audiences understand the science behind brain-based interventions.