I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and body image, mood and anxiety disorders, and relationship concerns. I provide individual therapy, couples therapy, and family based treatment (FBT) for eating disorders.
My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and empathetic and I integrate empirically supported client-centered interventions into my practice to provide symptom relief. Together, we will work towards changing behaviors and developing new coping skills to enhance your quality of life.
I look forward to supporting you on your journey.
Eating disorders are highly prevalent and greatly interfere with psychological, physical, and social functioning. Eating disorders do not discriminate and affect individuals of all ages, race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and body shape and size. Eating disorders typically begin in adolescence and require specialized treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. The earlier an individual receives treatment for his/her eating disorder, the better the chance of a full recovery.
In addition to individual therapy, Dr. Gaydusek provides FBT (Maudsley Family-Based Treatment) for adolescents with eating disorders. FBT is an intensive outpatient treatment that is highly effective, and is considered a first-line treatment approach for adolescents. The efficacy of FBT is well established and consists of three phases. Parents play an active role in treatment and help their adolescent reestablish regular patterns of eating and interrupt behaviors such as restricting, bingeing, purging, and overexercise.
Eating problems treated include:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Body Image Concerns
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Compulsive Eating
- Compulsive Exercise
- Disordered Eating
- Night Eating
- Orthorexia
Anxiety can significantly interfere with daily functioning and can be emotionally and physically draining. Dr. Gaydusek will work with you to break the cycle of anxiety and avoidance through targeting and restructuring unhelpful thought patterns. Her treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combined with exposure therapy and mindfulness based approaches to increase awareness of anxious thoughts.
Dr. Gaydusek helps clients confront feared situations and discover newfound confidence in their ability to cope with stressful situations. This treatment is short-term and highly effective. Clients typically experience symptom relief within the first few sessions.
Anxiety problems treated include:
- Agoraphobia
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder / Worry
- Health Anxiety
- Panic Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the first line treatment for depression and clients typically experience symptom relief within the first few weeks of treatment. Distorted, negative cognition (i.e., thoughts and beliefs) tend to be a primary feature of depression.
Dr. Gaydusek helps clients modify their thinking and belief systems to bring about enduring emotional and behavioral change.
Along with CBT, behavioral activation is used to help clients decrease isolation and re-engage with their environment. Dr. Gaydusek also integrates mindfulness-based strategies to help clients decrease reactivity to their negative thoughts and beliefs.
Dr. Gaydusek works with couples to enhance the wellbeing of their relationship and regain or improve intimacy and trust. She helps couples identify negative patterns of communication and implement skills to improve the quality of the relationship. Couples therapy can be beneficial at any point in a relationship.
Dr. Gaydusek utilizes Gottman Method Couples Therapy in her work. Dr. Gaydusek also uses components of Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy, such as emotional acceptance and change as positive outcomes.
