What patients are saying
Overall rating
5.00
About Melissa Gerson
Focus areas
Anorexia
Disordered Eating
Binge Eating
Pediatric Eating Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Individuals
Teenagers (13-17)
Families
Young adults (18-24)
Identity
Gender
FemaleSexuality
StraightFaith
JewishLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Melissa Gerson
I'm the Founder and Clinical Director of Columbus Park Center for Eating Disorders where I offer specialized eating disorder care alongside an incredible team of experts. My personal clinical practice at this time is focused on treating eating disorders in adolescents using Family-Based Treatment (FBT) as my primary modality. As an experienced and certified FBT provider, I'm confident in treating a wide range of severity and complexity and am proud of my track record of success.
I’m a native New Yorker who transplanted to Miami, FL at 18 to dance with the Miami City Ballet. This background set the stage for my very personal understanding of the challenges of having to control one’s body shape and size to meet an impossible aesthetic – and sparked my interest in eating disorders. After seven years, touring with the MCB company, I retired from ballet and received a degree in Psychology from Columbia University. I went on to earn a master’s degree in social work at NYU. Upon graduation, I immediately began building my expertise in the treatment of eating disorders, benefiting from years of individual case consultation and supervision with experts like Judith Brisman, PhD, Julie Goldfein, PhD, Lucene Wisniewksi, PhD and faculty from the NY State Psychiatric Institute. I completed post-graduate trainings at NYU’s Psychoanalytic Institute, Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia and the William Alanson White Institute.
Over the last 20 years, I've trained in just about every evidence-based treatment available to individuals with eating disorders: a dizzying list of acronyms including CBT-E, CBT-AR, DBT, FBT, IPT, SSCM, FBI and more. In 2008, I founded Columbus Park Center for Eating Disorders and have been the Clinical Director ever since. I've trained multiple generations of eating disorder professionals over the last 15 years and have dedicated my time to a combination of clinical practice, writing and presenting to both professionals and laypeople.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I'm incredibly passionate about Family-Based Treatment so if you choose to pursue this treatment with me, I will be all in and ready to support you in any challenges you face in the process.
I present and write extensively about eating disorders in childhood and adolescence and about Family-Based Treatment.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I work quickly because when you have a child with a serious eating disorder, time is of the essence. The first session is with parent[s] only. We'll go through a quick history and outline of the current concerns. With this information, in most cases, I can provide a prompt and clear recommendation, always with alternatives that I will explain in detail. If we establish that FBT is appropriate for your child/family, I will provide an outline of the treatment, I'll highlight the core principles and detail the parental role. As soon as you are able to communicate full understanding and interest in moving forward, we jump in with education, strategies and explicit plans for action. Generally, it becomes obvious within the first 3-4 weeks of treatment if we can go the distance with FBT as an effective course for your child. Within 6-8 weeks, we would expect to see dramatic shifts in your child's eating patterns and health restoration.
As you can sense from this brief description, FBT is intensely parent-focused. In this model, we see parents as the solution to the child's illness so we are wholly focused on empowering parents to take on the critical role of driving their child's recovery.
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $500 for 60 minutes
Ongoing session: $500 for 60 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
I am considered an out-of-network treatment provider. My office will provide superbills that can be submitted to insurance directly by clients in the case that they have out-of-network reimbursement benefits.
Within 24 hours of booking through Zocdoc, a representative from my office will reach out to you to address last minute questions and to provide a new client form for your review and signature. This form details my practice billing and payment policies.
Please note that payment for the initial meeting will need to be processed via credit card on the morning of our initial appointment. Thereafter, sessions are invoiced bi-weekly. Additional billing/payment information will be outlined in the client forms provided in advance of your first session.
I look forward to meeting you!
Office location
Melissa Gerson, LCSW also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- New York University, Master's in Social Work
- New York University (Psychodynamic Psychotherapy)
- Columbia University (Bachelor's)
Professional memberships
- International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Foundation
- Academy for Eating Disorders
NPI number
1598838237
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
5.00
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1 review
Most relevant
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
How soon can I make an appointment with Melissa Gerson?
Generally, Melissa Gerson has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Melissa Gerson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Melissa Gerson accepting new patients?
Melissa Gerson generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Melissa Gerson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Melissa Gerson accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Melissa Gerson is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Melissa Gerson online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Melissa Gerson using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Melissa Gerson work with?
Melissa Gerson works with Columbus Park.
Where is Melissa Gerson's office located?
Melissa Gerson has 2 office locations, including in New York and Smyrna, view full addresses on Melissa Gerson's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Melissa Gerson?
Melissa Gerson frequently sees patients for Binge Eating, Eating Disorder, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Melissa Gerson on their profile.
What languages does Melissa Gerson speak?
Melissa Gerson speaks English.