Contact
Needham
Cambridge
Needham
Cambridge
New Clients: Getting Started
Complete Contact Form
The Coordinator of Client Care will review this form to identify which of our clinicians is the best fit for your needs based on specialties and availability.
Schedule Initial Appointment
The Coordinator of Client Care will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule an initial appointment with your specialized clinician.
Virtual or In-Office Assessment
You will meet with your clinician for an assessment process, which includes recommendations and next steps.
Care
You will meet with your clinician on a weekly basis for ongoing guidance, support and care.
Please fill out the below Contact Form and our Office Administrator will be in touch within 24 hours to schedule an Initial Assessment.
Please fill out the below Contact Form and the Coordinator of Client Care will be in touch within 24 hours to schedule an Initial Assessment.
Services
INDIVIDUAL

Nutrition Counseling
Education, Guidance, Support & Treatment

Meal Services
Therapeutic Meal Support®, Coached Cooking & Guided Grocery Shopping

Exercise/Movement Services
Therapeutic Movement Support™

Metabolic Testing
Measurement of Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

Consulting
Speaking Engagements, Workshops & Team Talks

Supervision
Individual, Group & Case Consultation
GROUP
Group Counseling
Related to Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Body Image, Nutrition and Exercise

STEP®, Supplemental Treatment based in Experiential and Exposure Programming
STEP® is intended to offer a more gradual step down from a higher level of care or step up from outpatient care.
STEP® is intended to offer a more gradual step down from a higher level of care or step up from outpatient care.
STEP®
STEP® is a highly specialized and individualized eating disorder program. It is designed to fill a gap in the levels of care and offers a more gradual step down from higher levels of care or step up from outpatient care. STEP® emphasizes hands-on, behavioral work to support clients in building the necessary skills to live and flourish independent of their eating disorders.
STEP® is a highly specialized and individualized eating disorder program. It is designed to fill a gap in the levels of care and offers a more gradual step down from higher levels of care or step up from outpatient care. STEP® emphasizes hands-on, behavioral work to support clients in building the necessary skills to live and flourish independent of their eating disorders.
Specialties
Van Dusen Nutrition® specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, weight and body concerns and sports nutrition.
Van Dusen Nutrition® specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, weight and body concerns and sports nutrition.
Eating Disorders
We work with individuals who are struggling with any diagnosis of an eating disorder to progress toward a full recovery.
Disordered Eating
We work with individuals who are struggling with a complicated relationship to food to thrive in a lifestyle free of rigid food rules and chronic dieting.
Weight and Body Concerns
We work with individuals who are struggling with their weight, size or body image to promote sustainable changes, body satisfaction and well-being.
Sports Nutrition
We work with individuals at all levels of sport and physical activity to support adequate, balanced nutrition, injury prevention/recovery and optimal performance.
Disordered Eating
We work with individuals who are struggling with a complicated relationship to food to thrive in a lifestyle free of rigid food rules and chronic dieting.
Eating Disorders
We work with individuals who are struggling with any diagnosis of an eating disorder to progress toward a full recovery.
Sports Nutrition
We work with individuals at all levels of sport and physical activity to support adequate, balanced nutrition, injury prevention/recovery and optimal performance.
Weight and Body Concerns
We work with individuals who are struggling with their weight, size or body image to promote sustainable changes, body satisfaction and well-being.





New Clients
WELCOME! We are accepting new clients and welcome the opportunity to guide, support and partner with you on your journey to physical and emotional well-being.
To get started, please complete our contact form.
WELCOME! We are accepting new clients and welcome the opportunity to guide, support and partner with you on your journey to physical and emotional well-being.
To get started, please complete our contact form.
Onboarding
Complete Contact Form
The Coordinator of Client Care will review this form to identify which of our clinicians is the best fit for your needs based on specialties and availability.
Schedule Initial Appointment
The Coordinator of Client Care will reach out to you within 24 hours to schedule an initial appointment with your specialized clinician.
Virtual or In-Office Assessment
You will meet with your clinician for an assessment process, which includes recommendations and next steps.
Care
You will meet with your clinician on a weekly basis for ongoing guidance, support and care.
Policies
Clients are expected to pay all fees at the time of service. The cancellation policy is 48 hours from the start of the appointment in order to avoid being charged the full fee.
In-network or out-of-network coverage depends on the clinician you are seeing in the practice and the individual insurance plan. See each clinician profile below:
*Leigh P. Van Dusen
Indiv. NPI: 1518474477
Out-of-Network
—
*Melanie Lehman
Grp. NPI: 1952892788
Accepts: BCBS of MA PPO, BCBS of MA Indemnity, HMO Blue and Blue Choice; can also bill for Out-of-Network
—
*Michelle Bugbee
Grp. NPI: 1952892788
Accepts: BCBS of MA PPO, BCBS of MA Indemnity, HMO Blue and Blue Choice; can also bill for Out-of-Network
—
*Kristine Berube
Grp. NPI: 1952892788
Accepts: BCBS of MA PPO, BCBS of MA Indemnity, HMO Blue and Blue Choice; can also bill for Out-of-Network
—
*Ali Mattia
Grp. NPI: 1952892788
Accepts: BCBS of MA PPO, BCBS of MA Indemnity, HMO Blue and Blue Choice; can also bill for Out-of-Network
—
If working with an out-of-network provider in the practice, reimbursement may be available to you. If requested, a Superbill can be provided to you on a monthly basis to submit to your insurance company. All reimbursements will then be sent directly to you from your insurance carrier.
The cancellation policy is 48 hours from the start of the appointment in order to avoid being charged the full fee.
Our eating disorder program, STEP®, is operating in person, while our individual and group services are primarily virtual with limited in-person availability.
About
Van Dusen Nutrition® (VDN) is a nutrition and movement center comprised of licensed, experienced, dedicated and compassionate clinicians.
Van Dusen Nutrition® (VDN) is a nutrition and movement center comprised of licensed, experienced, dedicated and compassionate clinicians.
VDN is committed to:
VDN is committed to:
Helping individuals navigate the complex world of nutrition and exercise messaging to develop an internal compass and trust in body and self.
Helping individuals develop positive relationships to food, movement and body.
LEIGH P. VAN DUSEN, MS, LDN
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
MELANIE S. LEHMAN, RD, LDN
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns
MICHELLE BUGBEE, MS, RD, LDN, CPT
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
KRISTINE BERUBE, RD, LDN, RYT
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
ERICA CARNEGLIA, MS, RD, LDN
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
LEXIE RHEA, MS, RD, LDN
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
JENNA SALKOVITZ, MS, RD, LDN
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight & Body Concerns
ALI MATTIA, MEd, RD, LDN, ATC/LAT, CSCS
Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight and Body Concerns, Sports Nutrition
Testimonials
“When I first started seeing Leigh, I had very little hope that I would ever overcome my eating disorder. I was a recently graduated college lacrosse player who had been struggling with anorexia and bulimia for almost four years, and I had pretty much given up all hope of recovery. I had seen countless therapists and nutritionists, but I never found any of their services beneficial. However, when I walked into Leigh’s office I knew things would be different. Over the past four years, Leigh has worked with me to quiet the eating disorder voice in my head, identify triggers for bad behavior, come up with healthy meal plans, revamp my metabolic rate, and monitor my progress, but to say she is just a “nutritionist” would be a lie. Leigh has been the person I turn to for everything over the past few years, and she has never given up on me, even when I’ve given up on myself. When I moved away to Vermont, she kept in contact. When I didn’t want to call her, she called me. When I told her I wanted to stop our sessions, she convinced me to continue our work. Now, I am 26 years-old, symptom free, and honestly so happy. I still have a lot of work to do but I know that with Leigh’s help, the only way I can go is up. Leigh has not only helped me to turn my life around, but she’s saved it.”
– A.A., in recovery from an eating disorder
“I first met Leigh more than ten years ago when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I was in a major depression and full-blown eating disorder. My relationship with food was horrible; I was going through periods of binging and purging, restricting and overeating. I used food to cope with my feelings and anxieties. Leigh taught me how to use food to fuel my body and to learn to move my body for healthy exercise. Her nutrition and exercise knowledge is vast, but what helped most was her patient and caring way. I never felt judged. I only ever felt supported. Leigh taught me how to make slow changes so that I didn’t feel deprived. She taught me how to have a healthy relationship with food and I still practice what Leigh taught me. I credit my current healthy weight and positive relationship with food to what I learned from Leigh.”
– G.S., recovered from bulimia and binge eating disorder
“I received nutritional counseling from Leigh Van Dusen during a dark period in my life in which I was struggling terribly with an eating disorder. My experience working with Leigh was, hands down, the most positive experience I have ever had with any healthcare professional. Leigh was the ideal mix of professional, knowledgeable, and responsible, as well as caring, non-judgmental, and funny! There were several times when Leigh went above and beyond to provide care that well exceeded my expectations by coordinating with others in my treatment team, providing between-session feedback when needed, and continuing to be involved in my care for a brief period after I had moved out of state. I would enthusiastically refer any friend or family member to Leigh for nutritional counseling. In the ten years since I first worked with Leigh, I have successfully obtained recovery from my eating disorder, developed a successful career, gotten married to a wonderful man, and now am expecting my first child. I have no doubt that, without Leigh’s help during a vulnerable period of my life, none of this would have been possible.”
– A.H., recovered from anorexia
“Over the past 7 years, Leigh has been tremendously helpful to me both from a nutrition perspective and an all-around psychological one. Not only is Leigh adept at identifying a problem and supporting a goal, she is skilled at laying out realistic steps to help achieve that goal. Leigh is endlessly patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and I always leave a session feeling so much less stressed than I did upon arrival.”
– E.J.
“Leigh treats her clients and their families with kindness, knowledge and professionalism. My child would not be as healthy as she is today without Leigh’s guidance.”
– L.W., mother of adolescent client
“My daughter saw Leigh for years and with her support progressed from an unhappy teen with an eating disorder to a young woman with an incredibly positive body image and healthy eating habits. Leigh listens, remembers, deeply empathizes and believes firmly in the power to change. She wonderfully supported me, the parent, without compromising her relationship with my daughter. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
– S.F., mother of client recovered from anorexia
“Leigh is a rare find. I have been consistently wowed by her sophisticated grasp of patients’ issues, her diligence in communicating to team members, and her competence and creativity in her work with patients. I am a psychologist in private practice and have worked with Leigh on several eating disorders cases. Working with Leigh is like having a highly skilled co-therapist. She brings not only her overall nutritional expertise but also a deep and broad understanding of the dynamics of eating disorders. She makes strong connections with patients and shows great sensitivity and skill in effectively moving people forward toward a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.”
– Joan Goldberg, Ph.D.
“Leigh is one of the most caring, conscientious and clinically astute nutritionists I have ever worked with. Her insight and collaboration are invaluable for excellent patient care.”
- Marilou Shaughnessy, Psy.D.
“Leigh Van Dusen has been one of our go-to nutritionists for the past several years. She is highly skilled, provides top notch nutritional assessments for even the most complicated of cases, and her follow-up with referral sources and outpatient treatment team members is both extensive and timely. Due to her background as a top collegiate athlete and her strong clinical experience working with this unique population, Leigh was chosen as the sole sports nutritionist for our Eating Disorder Intervention Team. She is one of the most frequently recommended practitioners in our area, and is highly regarded by clients and families alike for her warm and compassionate approach to client care.”
– Dawn Hynes, MSW, Founder of Hynes Recovery Services
“I have collaborated with Leigh on a particularly complex, high intervention case for the last few years. Leigh is thoughtful, clinically wise, and able to look at and remind the team of “big picture” pieces amidst the myriad minutiae. She observes limits in a way that is highly useful to the client and models respect of self and other; she is authentic and honest and crystal clear in her communication. It is a great pleasure to work with Leigh and I always refer prospective nutrition therapy clients to her!”
– Lauren Manasse, LICSW
"It is during our most difficult times, when we allow ourselves to be raw and open, that we find connection and strength both outside and inside of ourselves." - Leigh P. Van Dusen, MS, LDN
"Creating fulfilling, lasting relationships with food and movement can help open doors to the many possibilities of a more nourished life." - Ali Mattia, MEd, RD, LDN, ATC/LAT, CSCS
"Normal eating is instinctual, we lose sight of it for various reasons but it is something we can always reconnect to." - Melanie S. Lehman, RD, LDN
"Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do, not a punishment for what you ate." - Michelle Bugbee, MS, RD, LDN, CPT
""By letting go of your black and white thinking in regards to nutrition, you can give yourself grace to explore your relationship with food and body." - Lexie Rhea, MS, RD, LDN
"Honoring your individuality around nutrition and movement is a form of self-care. There is no perfect way to eat or exercise." -Kristine Berube, RD, LDN, RYT
""Learning how to nourish yourself both physically and mentally frees you from food guilt, stress and overwhelm. You finally have the power to confidently make decisions that feel right to you." - Erica Carneglia, MS RD, LDN
Testimonials
“When I first started seeing Leigh, I had very little hope that I would ever overcome my eating disorder. I was a recently graduated college lacrosse player who had been struggling with anorexia and bulimia for almost four years, and I had pretty much given up all hope of recovery. I had seen countless therapists and nutritionists, but I never found any of their services beneficial. However, when I walked into Leigh’s office I knew things would be different. Over the past four years, Leigh has worked with me to quiet the eating disorder voice in my head, identify triggers for bad behavior, come up with healthy meal plans, revamp my metabolic rate, and monitor my progress, but to say she is just a “nutritionist” would be a lie. Leigh has been the person I turn to for everything over the past few years, and she has never given up on me, even when I’ve given up on myself. When I moved away to Vermont, she kept in contact. When I didn’t want to call her, she called me. When I told her I wanted to stop our sessions, she convinced me to continue our work. Now, I am 26 years-old, symptom free, and honestly so happy. I still have a lot of work to do but I know that with Leigh’s help, the only way I can go is up. Leigh has not only helped me to turn my life around, but she’s saved it.”
– A.A., in recovery from an eating disorder
“I first met Leigh more than ten years ago when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I was in a major depression and full-blown eating disorder. My relationship with food was horrible; I was going through periods of binging and purging, restricting and overeating. I used food to cope with my feelings and anxieties. Leigh taught me how to use food to fuel my body and to learn to move my body for healthy exercise. Her nutrition and exercise knowledge is vast, but what helped most was her patient and caring way. I never felt judged. I only ever felt supported. Leigh taught me how to make slow changes so that I didn’t feel deprived. She taught me how to have a healthy relationship with food and I still practice what Leigh taught me. I credit my current healthy weight and positive relationship with food to what I learned from Leigh.”
– G.S., recovered from bulimia and binge eating disorder
“I received nutritional counseling from Leigh Van Dusen during a dark period in my life in which I was struggling terribly with an eating disorder. My experience working with Leigh was, hands down, the most positive experience I have ever had with any healthcare professional. Leigh was the ideal mix of professional, knowledgeable, and responsible, as well as caring, non-judgmental, and funny! There were several times when Leigh went above and beyond to provide care that well exceeded my expectations by coordinating with others in my treatment team, providing between-session feedback when needed, and continuing to be involved in my care for a brief period after I had moved out of state. I would enthusiastically refer any friend or family member to Leigh for nutritional counseling. In the ten years since I first worked with Leigh, I have successfully obtained recovery from my eating disorder, developed a successful career, gotten married to a wonderful man, and now am expecting my first child. I have no doubt that, without Leigh’s help during a vulnerable period of my life, none of this would have been possible.”
– A.H., recovered from anorexia
“Over the past 7 years, Leigh has been tremendously helpful to me both from a nutrition perspective and an all-around psychological one. Not only is Leigh adept at identifying a problem and supporting a goal, she is skilled at laying out realistic steps to help achieve that goal. Leigh is endlessly patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and I always leave a session feeling so much less stressed than I did upon arrival.”
– E.J.
“Leigh treats her clients and their families with kindness, knowledge and professionalism. My child would not be as healthy as she is today without Leigh’s guidance.”
– L.W., mother of adolescent client
“My daughter saw Leigh for years and with her support progressed from an unhappy teen with an eating disorder to a young woman with an incredibly positive body image and healthy eating habits. Leigh listens, remembers, deeply empathizes and believes firmly in the power to change. She wonderfully supported me, the parent, without compromising her relationship with my daughter. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
-S.F., mother of client recovered from anorexia
“Leigh is a rare find. I have been consistently wowed by her sophisticated grasp of patients’ issues, her diligence in communicating to team members, and her competence and creativity in her work with patients. I am a psychologist in private practice and have worked with Leigh on several eating disorders cases. Working with Leigh is like having a highly skilled co-therapist. She brings not only her overall nutritional expertise but also a deep and broad understanding of the dynamics of eating disorders. She makes strong connections with patients and shows great sensitivity and skill in effectively moving people forward toward a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.”
– Joan Goldberg, Ph.D.
“Leigh is one of the most caring, conscientious and clinically astute nutritionists I have ever worked with. Her insight and collaboration are invaluable for excellent patient care.”
- Marilou Shaughnessy, Psy.D.
“Leigh Van Dusen has been one of our go-to nutritionists for the past several years. She is highly skilled, provides top notch nutritional assessments for even the most complicated of cases, and her follow-up with referral sources and outpatient treatment team members is both extensive and timely. Due to her background as a top collegiate athlete and her strong clinical experience working with this unique population, Leigh was chosen as the sole sports nutritionist for our Eating Disorder Intervention Team. She is one of the most frequently recommended practitioners in our area, and is highly regarded by clients and families alike for her warm and compassionate approach to client care.”
– Dawn Hynes, MSW, Founder of Hynes Recovery Services
“I have collaborated with Leigh on a particularly complex, high intervention case for the last few years. Leigh is thoughtful, clinically wise, and able to look at and remind the team of “big picture” pieces amidst the myriad minutiae. She observes limits in a way that is highly useful to the client and models respect of self and other; she is authentic and honest and crystal clear in her communication. It is a great pleasure to work with Leigh and I always refer prospective nutrition therapy clients to her!”
– Lauren Manasse, LICSW
Index

A Center for Nutrition and Movement
Van Dusen Nutrition® is an inclusive center for nutrition and movement that sees children, adolescents and adults.
The clinicians at Van Dusen Nutrition® practice from an Intuitive Eating and HAES® lens and specialize in Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight and Body Concerns and Sports Nutrition.

A Center for Nutrition and Movement
Van Dusen Nutrition® is an inclusive center for nutrition and movement that sees children, adolescents and adults.
The clinicians at Van Dusen Nutrition® practice from an Intuitive Eating and HAES® lens and specialize in Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Weight and Body Concerns and Sports Nutrition.
Introducing STEP®
A New Program in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
A New Program in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
STEP®
When: DAY: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 11-1:30 p.m.
EVENING: Mondays & Wednesdays - 5:15-7:45 p.m.
When: DAY: Tues/Thurs - 11-1:30 p.m.
PM: Mon/Wed - 5:15-7:45 p.m.
Where: 1000 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494
Where: 1000 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494
STEP®
STEP®, Supplemental Treatment Based in Experiential and Exposure Programming, is a highly specialized and individualized eating disorder program. It is designed to fill a gap in the levels of care and offers a more gradual step down from higher levels of care or step up from outpatient care. STEP® emphasizes hands-on, behavioral work to support clients in building the necessary skills to live and flourish independent of their eating disorders.
STEP®, Supplemental Treatment Based in Experiential and Exposure Programming, is a highly specialized and individualized eating disorder program. It is designed to fill a gap in the levels of care and offers a more gradual step down from higher levels of care or step up from outpatient care.
SPECIALTIES
Eating Disorders
We work with individuals who are struggling with any diagnosis of an eating disorder to repair their relationships with food, exercise and body and to progress toward a full recovery.
Disordered Eating
We work with individuals who are struggling with a complicated relationship to food to thrive in a lifestyle free of rigid food rules and chronic dieting.
Weight & Body Concerns
We work with individuals who are struggling with their weight, size or body image to promote sustainable changes, body satisfaction and well-being.
Sports Nutrition
We work with individuals at all levels of sport and physical activity to support adequate, balanced nutrition, injury prevention/recovery and optimal performance.
Eating Disorders
Disordered Eating
Weight & Body Concerns
Sports Nutrition
In addition to our eating disorder program, STEP®, we offer a wide variety of individual and group services.
In addition to our eating disorder program, STEP®, we offer a wide variety of individual and group services.
INDIVIDUAL SERVICES
Nutrition Counseling
Education, Guidance, Support & Treatment
Meal Services
Therapeutic Meal Support®, Coached Cooking & Guided Grocery Shopping
Exercise/ Movement Services
Therapeutic Movement Support™
Nutrition Counseling
Education, Guidance, Support & Treatment
Meal Services
Therapeutic Meal Support®, Coached Cooking & Guided Grocery Shopping
Exercise/ Movement Services
Therapeutic Movement Support™
Metabolic Testing
Measurement of Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
Consulting
Speaking Engagements, Workshops & Team Talks
Supervision
Individual, Group & Case Consultation
Metabolic Testing
Measurement of Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
Consulting
Speaking Engagements, Workshops & Team Talks
Supervision
Individual, Group & Case Consultation
GROUP SERVICES
Group Counseling
Related to Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Body Image, Nutrition and Exercise
GROUP SERVICES
Group Counseling
Related to Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Body Image, Nutrition and Exercise