Business Details
Your Trusted Nutrition and Therapy Center in Needham, MA
Van Dusen Nutrition is a dedicated center for nutrition and therapy serving children, adolescents, and adults. Our team of licensed clinicians specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, weight and body concerns, and sports nutrition, practicing through an Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) framework. With over a decade of experience, we provide personalized care through evidence-based practices, including STEP, a specialized program for eating disorder treatment. Our services include nutrition counseling, therapeutic meal support, metabolic testing, and psychotherapy, tailored to individual needs. We emphasize building trust in one's body and fostering healthy relationships with food and movement.Our clinicians collaborate closely with clients and their healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive care. Recognized for our compassionate approach, we have supported numerous individuals in achieving lasting recovery and improved well-being. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our multidisciplinary team's expertise and dedication to ongoing professional development. We maintain strong partnerships with healthcare providers to facilitate coordinated treatment plans. Van Dusen Nutrition stands as a trusted resource for those seeking specialized nutritional and therapeutic support.
Services
Nutrition Counseling
STEP Program
Psychotherapy
Meal Services
Metabolic Testing
Weight Checks
Consulting
Supervision
Exercise Support
Group Counseling
Highlights and features
- We offer specialized eating disorder treatment through our STEP program.
- Our team includes registered dietitians with advanced training in sports nutrition.
- We utilize evidence-based approaches like Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size.
- Our clinicians provide metabolic testing for personalized nutrition planning.
- We maintain strong partnerships with healthcare providers for coordinated care.
What people say
Saved my life
Symptom free
Positive body image
Compassionate approach
Highly recommended
Services
Nutrition Counseling
Our nutrition counseling provides personalized dietary guidance for individuals seeking improved health relationships with food. Clinicians use evidence-based methods like Intuitive Eating to address eating disorders, disordered eating patterns, and body image concerns. Services combine nutritional science with psychological insights to create sustainable lifestyle changes tailored to each client's unique needs.
STEP Program
STEP offers specialized eating disorder treatment through experiential and exposure programming. This individualized program provides structured support for clients transitioning between care levels. The program emphasizes behavioral skills development to help participants achieve independence from eating disorder patterns through hands-on therapeutic experiences.
Psychotherapy
Our psychotherapy services address mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and trauma alongside nutritional needs. Therapists use approaches like CBT and DBT to help clients develop coping strategies. Treatment integrates emotional well-being with nutritional health for comprehensive care addressing both psychological and physical aspects of recovery.
Metabolic Testing
Metabolic testing measures resting metabolic rate using advanced calorimetry technology. This assessment provides precise caloric baseline data for personalized nutrition planning. Results help create tailored dietary strategies that align with individual metabolic needs for more effective and sustainable health outcomes.
Meal Services
Therapeutic meal support helps clients apply nutritional principles during eating experiences. Services include guided meals, cooking sessions, and grocery shopping assistance. These practical applications help individuals develop confidence in making nourishing food choices while addressing anxiety around eating situations.
People
Leigh P. Van Dusen
Owner
Leigh specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, and sports nutrition with over 15 years of clinical experience. She developed the STEP program and provides metabolic testing and psychotherapy services.
Erica Carneglia
Registered Dietitian
Erica offers nutrition counseling for eating disorders and body image concerns, combining her expertise in sports nutrition with a compassionate approach to client care.
Lexie Rhea
Registered Dietitian
Lexie specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating, focusing on helping clients develop healthier relationships with food through personalized nutrition counseling.
Naya Schere
Psychotherapist
Naya provides psychotherapy services addressing eating disorders, trauma, and mental health concerns using evidence-based therapeutic approaches.
Amanda Zapotosky
Office Administrator
Amanda manages administrative operations, ensuring smooth client experiences and coordinating care logistics for the clinical team.
Questions
What eating disorder services do you offer?
We provide specialized treatment through our STEP program, individual counseling, and psychotherapy for all eating disorder types and severity levels.
Do you accept insurance?
We are out-of-network providers but can provide documentation for potential reimbursement. Contact us for specific insurance questions.
Are virtual appointments available?
Yes, we offer both virtual and in-office appointments to accommodate client preferences and accessibility needs.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require 24-hour notice for appointment cancellations to avoid full session charges.
How do I start services?
Complete our contact form to schedule an initial assessment with our care coordinator for personalized treatment planning.
Reviews (1)
Carol D.
Nov 14, 2021
Report
Van Dusen added so much stress to this already stressful time. Parents are consistently excluded (our experience and as reported from several other families), contrary to expert recommendation. Our student was eating 20 of 21 meals at home and VD refused to share suggestions on coaching during mealtime or any guidance on what we should serve (to be consistent with what they were allegedly teaching for nutrition or handling fear foods). Leigh was OK with my husband but incredibly condescending to me. Our daughter improved, and we are thankful for that, but they dropped our teen mid-treatment
