For 6 years she worked as a researcher at the Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes (ACBRD), a partnership between Diabetes Victoria and Deakin University. Her research focused on the social stigma of diabetes, diabetes and self-compassion, and diabetes and mental health issues. During her time as a researcher, it became evident that there was a high demand for psychological services for people with diabetes and their family/friends, but very few psychologists who understood diabetes well enough to provide the right kind of support.