Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Nutrition & Therapy Solutions
Van Dusen Nutrition is a dedicated center for nutrition and therapy serving children, adolescents, and adults. Our clinicians specialize in eating disorders, disordered eating, weight and body concerns, and sports nutrition, practicing through an Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) framework. We prioritize repairing relationships with food, exercise, and body image to support long-term recovery and well-being. Our team of licensed dietitians and therapists brings extensive expertise in personalized counseling, therapeutic meal support, and movement services. We offer individualized care, including our specialized STEP program, which bridges gaps in eating disorder treatment levels.Our commitment to inclusivity and holistic health drives our approach to nutrition counseling, metabolic testing, and group services. With locations in Needham and Cambridge, Massachusetts, we provide accessible, compassionate care tailored to each client's unique needs. Our focus on evidence-based practices ensures clients receive reliable, science-backed guidance for sustainable lifestyle changes. We actively engage in community education through workshops, speaking engagements, and media features to promote mental and physical health. Our team's combined experience and dedication to client-centered care establish us as a trusted resource for nutrition and therapy services.
Services
Nutrition Counseling
STEP Program
Meal Services
Metabolic Testing
Psychotherapy
Group Counseling
Sports Nutrition
Consulting
Supervision
Therapeutic Movement
Highlights and features
- We specialize in Intuitive Eating and HAES-aligned care for eating disorders and body image concerns.
- Our STEP program offers individualized, experiential treatment for eating disorder recovery.
- We provide evidence-based nutrition counseling, metabolic testing, and therapeutic meal support.
- Our team includes licensed dietitians and therapists with expertise in sports nutrition and disordered eating.
- We serve clients of all ages with inclusive, compassionate care in Needham and Cambridge, MA.
Services
STEP Program
STEP (Supplemental Treatment Based in Experiential and Exposure Programming) is a specialized eating disorder program offering individualized care. It bridges gaps between intensive and outpatient treatment levels, focusing on behavioral skills for recovery. Designed for gradual progress, STEP emphasizes hands-on work to help clients overcome eating disorders through structured sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Nutrition Counseling
Personalized nutrition counseling addresses eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. Our licensed dietitians use Intuitive Eating and HAES principles to repair relationships with food and exercise. Sessions focus on education, meal planning, and sustainable lifestyle changes tailored to individual needs, promoting long-term physical and mental well-being through evidence-based strategies.
Metabolic Testing
Metabolic testing measures resting metabolic rate (RMR) to inform personalized nutrition plans. This service helps clients understand energy needs for recovery and performance. Results guide dietary adjustments for optimal health, particularly for individuals with eating disorders or athletes seeking precise nutritional support to enhance physical outcomes.
Therapeutic Meal Support
Therapeutic meal support includes coached cooking, guided grocery shopping, and structured meal assistance. This service helps clients develop healthy eating habits in real-world settings. It addresses anxiety around food through hands-on guidance, fostering confidence in making nourishing choices aligned with recovery goals and daily life practicality.
Group Counseling
Group counseling sessions focus on eating disorders, body image, and nutrition education. These groups provide peer support and skill-building in a collaborative environment. Topics include intuitive eating, emotional regulation, and movement therapy, promoting collective healing and shared experiences to reinforce individual progress toward recovery and self-acceptance.
People
Leigh P. Van Dusen
Founder, MS, LDN
Leigh P. Van Dusen is a licensed dietitian and founder specializing in eating disorders and intuitive eating. With over a decade of experience, she leads our HAES-aligned care approach.
Erica Carneglia
MS, RD, LDN, CPT
Erica Carneglia is a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer focusing on sports nutrition and disordered eating. She integrates movement therapy into holistic recovery plans for athletes and active individuals.
Lexie Rhea
MS, RD, LDN
Lexie Rhea specializes in weight and body concerns using evidence-based nutrition strategies. Her approach prioritizes sustainable changes and body satisfaction through compassionate, client-centered counseling sessions.
Jenna Salkovitz
MS, RD, LDN
Jenna Salkovitz provides expert nutrition counseling for eating disorders and gastrointestinal health. She combines clinical knowledge with empathetic support to guide clients toward balanced eating patterns.
Naya Schere
MSW, LCSW
Naya Schere is a licensed clinical social worker offering psychotherapy for mental health and eating disorder recovery. Her trauma-informed practice supports emotional healing alongside nutritional rehabilitation.
Questions
What services does Van Dusen Nutrition offer?
We provide nutrition counseling, STEP program for eating disorders, metabolic testing, meal support, group therapy, and sports nutrition services.
What is the STEP program?
STEP is a specialized eating disorder program offering experiential therapy three days weekly to bridge care gaps between intensive and outpatient treatment.
Do you accept new clients?
Yes, we welcome new inquiries and offer services for children, adolescents, and adults at our Needham and Cambridge locations.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
We practice Intuitive Eating and HAES principles, focusing on evidence-based, inclusive care for eating disorders and body image concerns.
